NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
758 reports14,000 miles · Mar 28, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
I WOKE UP TODAY TO AN ODD SHAPED CIRCULAR CRACK AND SUBSEQUENT SPIDERING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD OF MY TELLURIDE. THE CRACK IS QUITE LOW NEARLY UNDER THE TOP OF THE HOOD AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT HAPPENED. AFTER REVIEWING ARTICLES I DISCOVERED THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR DEFECTS TO THE WINDSHIELD SO I THOUGHT …
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I WOKE UP TODAY TO AN ODD SHAPED CIRCULAR CRACK AND SUBSEQUENT SPIDERING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD OF MY TELLURIDE. THE CRACK IS QUITE LOW NEARLY UNDER THE TOP OF THE HOOD AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT HAPPENED. AFTER REVIEWING ARTICLES I DISCOVERED THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA FOR DEFECTS TO THE WINDSHIELD SO I THOUGHT IT BEST TO REPORT IT. THE CRACK WAS NOT THERE WHEN I LAST DROVE IT 3/26.
NHTSA ODI #11405229
25,000 miles · Mar 25, 2021
Visibility/wiper
ON 3/23/21 I WAS IN MOTION WHEN I SAW A SMALL CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD AFTER AN HOUR IT BEING STATIONARY IT GREW TO 7". BY THE END OF THE DAY STILL STATIONARY IT WAS HALF WAY ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD. I CALLED MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND THE EARLIEST APPT. WAS 3/31/21.
NHTSA ODI #11404878
20,000 miles · Mar 20, 2021
Lane DepartureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
OUR WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO REPLACE IT WITHOUT CHARGING US OVER $1300
NHTSA ODI #11404025
30,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA TELLURIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF WILMINGTON (1603 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (302) 656-3100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA TELLURIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF WILMINGTON (1603 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (302) 656-3100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #11403253
12,600 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKING EVEN AFTER REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11399824
7,976 miles · Mar 8, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
MY 2020 KIA TELLURIDE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT IN JUNE OF 2019. IT STARTED OUT SMALL WITH MY BACKUP CAMERA GLITCHING/NOT BEING VISIBLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING, AND MY HEAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEN, IT QUICKLY ESCALATED TO MULTIPLE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ENGAGING IN MY DASHBOARD WHILE DR…
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MY 2020 KIA TELLURIDE HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT IN JUNE OF 2019. IT STARTED OUT SMALL WITH MY BACKUP CAMERA GLITCHING/NOT BEING VISIBLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERING, AND MY HEAT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEN, IT QUICKLY ESCALATED TO MULTIPLE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ENGAGING IN MY DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IF THE CODES AREN'T ACTIVE THEY CAN'T SERVICE THE VEHICLE, SO WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN I BROUGHT IT TO THEM DIRECTLY. AT THIS TIME MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT STATED THE CAR LOST COMMUNICATION WITH FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (LPC), CONTROL MODULE (CCAN),AND HVAC CONTROL MODULE. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS COMPROMISING MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. ON THE 3RD OCCASION, THE FOLLOWING HAPPENED: THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, SHIFTER WOULDN'T WORK, NO LIGHTS NEXT TO SHIFT, WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE, NO BACKUP CAMERA. ON THE 4TH OCCASION, THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED: WARNING LIGHTS/EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON DASH, STEERING LOCKED, NO LIGHTS NEAR SHIFTER, STEERING TIGHT, RPM INDICATOR WENT TO ZERO, SPEED WENT TO ZERO, WARNING LIGHTS SWITCHED ON AN OFF TO DIFFERENT ONES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLOOR HARNESS, DASH HARNESS, AND ENGINE HARNESS. EVEN AFTER THESE "FIXES" IT CONTINUED. ON THE 5TH OCCASION, THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I LOST MY BRAKES! THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED BEFORE THE SHUT DOWN: FORWARD COLLISION WARNING LIGHT, EMERGENCY LIGHT, RPM INDICATOR UP AND DOWN, ABS WARNING LIGHT, DEGREE/TEMP LIGHT FLICKERING ON AND OFF, PLUS A FEW MORE WARNING LIGHTS. THIS TIME MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. KIA WILL NOT TAKE THE CAR BACK AND DENIED MY CLAIM AFTER SUPPLYING OVER 70 PAGES OF DOCUMENTATION. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A TOTAL OF 84 DAYS SINCE OCTOBER 19, 2020.
NHTSA ODI #11399797
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2021
Visibility/wiper
SOMETHING SMALL FLEW UP AND CHIPPED THE WINDSHIELD ON THE SERVICE ROAD GOING 45 MPH. NO CRACKS JUST A CHIP
NHTSA ODI #11397844
1,300 miles · Feb 11, 2021
Visibility/wiper
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR TELLURIDE A SMALL ROCK WAS THROWN UP BY A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT CHIPPED OUR WINDSHIELD. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CHIP IN A WINDSHIELD BEFORE.
NHTSA ODI #11395812
2,000 miles · Feb 10, 2021
Engine
BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2020, STARTING THIS WINTER A HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE BAY DURING COLD START IN THE MORNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S FREEZING. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TWICE YET THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE CANNOT BE LOCATED. KIA REFUSED TO OFFER MORE HELP, SIMPLY ASKING ME TO…
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BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2020, STARTING THIS WINTER A HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE BAY DURING COLD START IN THE MORNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S FREEZING. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TWICE YET THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE CANNOT BE LOCATED. KIA REFUSED TO OFFER MORE HELP, SIMPLY ASKING ME TO WAIT UNTIL IT GETS WORSE OR SOMETHING REALLY BREAKS. THIS KIND OF NOISE COULD BE AN INDICATOR OF OTHER ENGINE OR AIR INTAKE PROBLEM WHICH KIA IS NOT CAPABLE TO DIAGNOSE.
NHTSA ODI #11395541
35,600 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Exterior Lighting
THE LIGHTS WONT DIM, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO DROVE THE VEHICLE THE NEXT NIGHT AND THEY WORKED OK ,DROVE IT LAST NIGHT THEY WOULD NOT DIM OR BRIGHT COULD NOT TELL WHAT THEY WAS STUCK ON, THE INSIDE INDERCATOR WORK FINE. I THINK THIS MIGHT B A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.THANKS
NHTSA ODI #11395160
Official recalls
7Jul 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1PE23002 · 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.
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