Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1480–25K
1525–50K
1150–75K
1275–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
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
115 miles · Nov 25, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WITHIN 6 DAYS OF PURCHASING MY KIA TELLURIDE, IT SUFFERED A SIGNIFICANT CHIP AND SMALL CRACKING ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I DID NOT SEE ANY PEBBLES, ROCKS OR DEBRIS IN THE AREA, NOR DID I OBSERVE ANY PEBBLE ACTUALLY HIT THE CAR. I DID NOT OBSERVE ANY CARS OR TRUCKS AHEAD OF ME ON THE…
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WITHIN 6 DAYS OF PURCHASING MY KIA TELLURIDE, IT SUFFERED A SIGNIFICANT CHIP AND SMALL CRACKING ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. I DID NOT SEE ANY PEBBLES, ROCKS OR DEBRIS IN THE AREA, NOR DID I OBSERVE ANY PEBBLE ACTUALLY HIT THE CAR. I DID NOT OBSERVE ANY CARS OR TRUCKS AHEAD OF ME ON THE FREEWAY WITH ANY OPEN/UNCOVERED LOADS. IN FACT, I ONLY OBSERVED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIMING OF THE CHIP/CRACK SEEMED TO COINCIDE GOING OVER A SMALL DIP ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11282212
200 miles · Nov 21, 2019
Exterior Lighting
THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE, PURCHASED 8/2019. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE HEADLIGHTS (BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM), AS EQUIPPED, ARE DANGEROUSLY DEFICIENT AND DO NOT PROVIDE NEARLY ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. I CONSIDER THIS HAZARDOUS AND WORTHY OF CORRECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER. KIA TELLURIDE EX AWD.
NHTSA ODI #11281548
2,200 miles · Nov 20, 2019
Exterior Lighting
HALOGEN HEADLAMPS ON THE EX MODEL DO A POOR JOB OF ILLUMINATING THE ROAD AHEAD WHEN IN LOW BEAM MODE. I CAN HARDLY SEE A FEW FEET. I ALSO DRIVE A LEXUS WHOSE HEADLAMPS DO A FANTASTIC JOB OF ILLUMINATION IN LOW BEAM. I AM HAVING TO PERIODICALLY ALTERNATE BETWEEN HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM MODES (TO AVOID BLINDING OPPOSITE TRAFFIC) WH…
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HALOGEN HEADLAMPS ON THE EX MODEL DO A POOR JOB OF ILLUMINATING THE ROAD AHEAD WHEN IN LOW BEAM MODE. I CAN HARDLY SEE A FEW FEET. I ALSO DRIVE A LEXUS WHOSE HEADLAMPS DO A FANTASTIC JOB OF ILLUMINATION IN LOW BEAM. I AM HAVING TO PERIODICALLY ALTERNATE BETWEEN HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM MODES (TO AVOID BLINDING OPPOSITE TRAFFIC) WHEN DRIVING THE TELLURIDE ON UNLIT ROADS OR POORLY LIT ROADS. WHY DIDN'T KIA PROVIDE LED HEADLIGHTS FOR ALL TRIM LEVELS? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11281250
3,200 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACK DRIVING ON HIGHWAY
NHTSA ODI #11281234
5,000 miles · Nov 18, 2019
Visibility/wiper
THE KIA TELLURIDE WINDSHIELDS ARE NOT UP TO STANDARDS. THEY CRACK AND CHIP EXTREMELY EASILY AND CONSTANTLY OVER THE SMALLEST DEBRIS OR FOR NO REASON AT ALL AND DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA ODI #11280816
6,500 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Exterior Lighting
THE TELLURIDE EX HAS AN ISSUE WITH IT'S HEADLIGHTS, ESPECIALLY IN A DIMLY LIT AREA. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE IN NORMAL MODE (NOT HIGH BEAM) ON A STREET THAT DOES NOT HAVE STREETLIGHTS (NO AMBIENT LIGHTS) OR YOU ARE GOING AROUND A TURN, OR YOU ARE GOING SLIGHTLY UPHILL, THERE IS VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD. YOU CAN SEE A DI…
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THE TELLURIDE EX HAS AN ISSUE WITH IT'S HEADLIGHTS, ESPECIALLY IN A DIMLY LIT AREA. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE IN NORMAL MODE (NOT HIGH BEAM) ON A STREET THAT DOES NOT HAVE STREETLIGHTS (NO AMBIENT LIGHTS) OR YOU ARE GOING AROUND A TURN, OR YOU ARE GOING SLIGHTLY UPHILL, THERE IS VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD. YOU CAN SEE A DISTINCT CUT OFF OF THE HEAD LIGHT AND YOU CANNOT SEE BEYOND IT. THIS MAKES IT VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A LOW LIGHT ENVIRONMENT. IF I AM ON A HIGHWAY OR A WELL LIT ROAD, THERE IS NO ISSUE. MY OTHER CAR 2010 AUDI A4 DOES NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE AND THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE ROAD ADEQUATELY IN ANY CONDITION
NHTSA ODI #11280024
100 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other
A VERY SMALL ROCK HIT THE EDGE OF MY WINDSHIELD, AND IT CRACKED TO BE OVER A FOOT LONG ACROSS THE NEXT 5 MINUTES. THE MARK FROM THE ROCK IS TINY, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE LEAD TO THIS LARGE OF A CRACK SO QUICKLY. I HAVE HEARD REPEATEDLY THAT THIS IS COMMON ON TELLURIDE WINDSHIELDS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND VERY UNSAFE. THE DAY THIS HAP…
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A VERY SMALL ROCK HIT THE EDGE OF MY WINDSHIELD, AND IT CRACKED TO BE OVER A FOOT LONG ACROSS THE NEXT 5 MINUTES. THE MARK FROM THE ROCK IS TINY, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE LEAD TO THIS LARGE OF A CRACK SO QUICKLY. I HAVE HEARD REPEATEDLY THAT THIS IS COMMON ON TELLURIDE WINDSHIELDS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND VERY UNSAFE. THE DAY THIS HAPPENED, I HAD ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 5 DAYS.
NHTSA ODI #11279709
36 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Power Train
SINCE NEW, THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED A VIBRATION STARTING AROUND 65 MPH UP TO AROUND 75 MPH. IT IS MILD IN SEVERITY BUT ANNOYING ESPECIALLY WHEN FREQUENTLY DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP NOTED IT BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #11279569
7,500 miles · Nov 6, 2019
Visibility/wiper
HAD A PLASTIC WRAP BARELY HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON HIGHWAY AND IT CRACKED WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #11278416
4,000 miles · Nov 1, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other
THE DASH SHOWED THAT MY ENGINE WAS OVER HEATING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGHE WENT ALL THE WAY TO HOT
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2020 Kia Telluride Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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