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2020 Kia Telluride

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Telluride years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride are substantially higher than the model-year median of 215.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

194 reports with mileage · 564 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 183 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 135 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

758 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2022
Exterior Lighting

While driving on the highway my headlights didn’t illuminate the roadway. I pulled over to check them and it appears the headlights were so dim, and possibly stuck somehow. They’re telescopic lights. The issue continued the entire 11 hour drive. The lights would work then go off again. I thought they might be stuck in the wrong…

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While driving on the highway my headlights didn’t illuminate the roadway. I pulled over to check them and it appears the headlights were so dim, and possibly stuck somehow. They’re telescopic lights. The issue continued the entire 11 hour drive. The lights would work then go off again. I thought they might be stuck in the wrong position. I couldn’t see the highway well and we had inclement weather. I haven’t had the dealer look at the vehicle yet because they don’t have any rentals available. I can’t afford to miss work. No warning lights or chimes were displayed by the vehicle on the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI #11484129

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2022
Exterior Lighting

Bright headlights do not work. Known problem. Not covered by warrant after 60,000 mile. I unsafe condition of vehicle. KIA should address recall.

NHTSA ODI #11483464

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2022
Visibility/wiper

While driving the speed limit on I-285 near Atlanta, GA, something hit my windshield. It made a high pitched, popping sound and immediately made a small, star shaped chip on my windshield in my driver field of view. Within 1-2 minutes of the chip, it started spreading long lines throughout the windshield, all coming off the orig…

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While driving the speed limit on I-285 near Atlanta, GA, something hit my windshield. It made a high pitched, popping sound and immediately made a small, star shaped chip on my windshield in my driver field of view. Within 1-2 minutes of the chip, it started spreading long lines throughout the windshield, all coming off the original star shaped chip.

NHTSA ODI #11481902

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2022
Exterior Lighting

The high beams on the headlights no longer work. This is a safety hazard where I live due to the number of deer around in the evenings. This problem was confirmed by Kia in many 2020 Telluride vehicles. This has not been inspected by anyone yet. It has been reported to Kia Customer Service and awaiting confirmation of warranty …

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The high beams on the headlights no longer work. This is a safety hazard where I live due to the number of deer around in the evenings. This problem was confirmed by Kia in many 2020 Telluride vehicles. This has not been inspected by anyone yet. It has been reported to Kia Customer Service and awaiting confirmation of warranty replacement. There was no warning when it stopped working. The high beam indicator on the dashboard still works, but the bulbs only perform at low beam. The relay was replaced but it did not correct the problem.

NHTSA ODI #11479439

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2022
Unknown Or Other

At a little over 63000+ mileage my vehicle's alternator have gone bad and now sitting in the shop for repairs that are not cover by my warranty because it was a little ove 60000 mileage. On the day my alternator gave in, I was on the freeway and all my hazards lights were lit. The steering wheel stiffen and it was hard to drive,…

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At a little over 63000+ mileage my vehicle's alternator have gone bad and now sitting in the shop for repairs that are not cover by my warranty because it was a little ove 60000 mileage. On the day my alternator gave in, I was on the freeway and all my hazards lights were lit. The steering wheel stiffen and it was hard to drive, I try to pull over and the vehicle went dead in mid freeway. All blinkers and lights were no longer working too so I was in the mid of a freeway at night in the dark. For all i know someone couldve side swipe me or crashed into me with the sudden power loss. I've only have this supposedly new car off the lot for 3 years with only 63k mileage and the alternator is bad already and drained my whole battery.

NHTSA ODI #11474972

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

High Beam Headlight system both headlamps are malfunctioned and yes it is available for inspection. Due to high beam headlight system not working when I am driving down hill I am not able to see at a distance in front of my vehicle nor can I see animals jumping out of the road in front of me. My safety is at risk as well as othe…

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High Beam Headlight system both headlamps are malfunctioned and yes it is available for inspection. Due to high beam headlight system not working when I am driving down hill I am not able to see at a distance in front of my vehicle nor can I see animals jumping out of the road in front of me. My safety is at risk as well as others I meet on the road. Dealer is aware unable to get me in immediately. No warning as a matter of fact the vehicle indicates that high beam lights are working. Upon looking up consumer reviews there have been many complaints regarding this concern which has required KIA to replace both headlight assembly systems at the cost of $ 2500.00 my KIA just barely went out of warranty. My issue is these complaints were filed several times since 2020 and these issues have not been placed into warranty as a recall.

NHTSA ODI #11474928

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2022
Electrical System

I unlocked the doors to get in the car. I let my son go by the back door (trunk) because his door was blocked by the car parked next to me. He went in and I put my purse in. The car was supposed to be unlocked since I was able to open my door and he made it in. By the time I walked up to my door, all the doors were locked, trapp…

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I unlocked the doors to get in the car. I let my son go by the back door (trunk) because his door was blocked by the car parked next to me. He went in and I put my purse in. The car was supposed to be unlocked since I was able to open my door and he made it in. By the time I walked up to my door, all the doors were locked, trapping my son in along with my keys and phone. The doors arent supposed to lock when the keys are in. I had to call 911 to get my son out of there quickly. He is too small to understand how to unlock te doors manually. It is the second time the doors locks while my keys are inside, but the first time with my toddler child in the car. It could have resulted in serious injury or worst.

NHTSA ODI #11474489

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2022
Exterior Lighting

Poor illumination of headlights and headlights high beam does not work. The bulbs were changed, and the high beam light fuse and the high beam relay were changed and the lights still will not go on high beam. I heavily rely on bright lights when possible to easily identify animals in or near roadway when traveling during hours …

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Poor illumination of headlights and headlights high beam does not work. The bulbs were changed, and the high beam light fuse and the high beam relay were changed and the lights still will not go on high beam. I heavily rely on bright lights when possible to easily identify animals in or near roadway when traveling during hours of darkness. Night time visibility is very poor and unsafe,

NHTSA ODI #11473438

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2022
Exterior Lighting

High beam lights stopped working. Bulbs are ok. Lamp assembly has a part that physically moves to change high to low.

NHTSA ODI #11472257

Mileage unknown · May 30, 2022
Exterior Lighting

Both high beams stop working without any advice. While driving at night low beams provide low visibility and when I try to use high beam did not change at all from low beam. This truck comes with a system that moves low beam light to high beam light only one bulb ( one filament ) no two filaments. There is 37 complaints online a…

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Both high beams stop working without any advice. While driving at night low beams provide low visibility and when I try to use high beam did not change at all from low beam. This truck comes with a system that moves low beam light to high beam light only one bulb ( one filament ) no two filaments. There is 37 complaints online and no recall. Visibility is a hazard in united states.

NHTSA ODI #11466659

Official recalls

7

26V430000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 2, 2026

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.

24V407000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jun 5, 2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.

24V214000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Mar 20, 2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.

24V148000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 26, 2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the high beam headlights, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC299.

22V626000 · Trailer Hitches

Aug 15, 2022

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.

20V436000 · Electrical System:wiring; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control

Jul 28, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.

Electrical System:wiring

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.

19V594000 · Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:rear/other

Aug 13, 2019

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:rear/other

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.

Seat Belts:front

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE23002 · Complete Loss Of High Beams

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Apr 17, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23002 to investigate allegations of loss of high beams with no warning and no re-engagement resulting in reduced visibility at night in the 2020 Kia Telluride. The investigation revealed that the halogen bi-function projector beam, used in vehicles built between January 2019 and November of 2019, is composed of one halogen bulb light source that provides light for both low beam and high beam. The heat generated by the halogen bulb will inflict damage to the gear mechanism and as a result the shutter’s electric motor will no longer be able to move the shutter to the open position to reveal the high beams. A loss of high beams, prevents the driver from having proper distance illumination, therefore increasing the risk of a crash. On February 24, 2024, Kia filed recall 24V-148 for certain MY 2020 Kia Tellurides. The recall remedy provides an inspection of the high beam shield gear mechanism and will either apply a clip to secure the shield gear to the shaft or replace the headlamp assembly with one that is resistant to heat damagefrom the halogen bulb. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.