The Used Car Index

2020 Kia Telluride problems

NHTSA lists 768 complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride, 8 of them mention a crash and 9 mention a fire. 8 complaints mention an injury, with 11 injuries and 1 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as KIA TELLURIDE.

At a glance

Complaints
768
With crash
8
With fire
9
With injury (complaints)
8
Injuries
11
Deaths
1
Recalls
7
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
3
Recall potential units (maximum)
462,869
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
152

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
EXTERIOR LIGHTING18524.1%
ENGINE14919.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER14518.9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER13617.7%
POWER TRAIN709.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM597.7%
STRUCTURE557.2%
SUSPENSION324.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM172.2%
VISIBILITY172.2%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY54
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY9
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGHEADLIGHTS8
VISIBILITYWINDSHIELD6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL4
BACK OVER PREVENTIONWARNINGS3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONSENSING SYSTEM1
CHILD SEATVEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure23630.7%0.76
visibility or lighting21728.3%0.88
structural or corrosion12516.3%0.65
loss of control547.0%0.74
electrical electronic466.0%0.87
fluid or fuel leak466.0%0.73
noise or comfort192.5%0.90
fire or overheating141.8%0.88
restraint or airbag91.2%0.91
unclear20.3%0.97
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate42755.6%0.82
low30940.2%0.76
high273.5%0.85
critical30.4%0.99
none20.3%0.33

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 768 tagged complaints of 768 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

7 recalls.

26V430000

Date: 2026-07-02. Systems: SEATS.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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 re (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.

24V407000

Date: 2024-06-05. Systems: SEATS.

Defect: 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: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.

24V214000

Date: 2024-03-20. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

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

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 th (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

24V148000

Date: 2024-02-26. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

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

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V626000

Date: 2022-08-15. Systems: TRAILER HITCHES.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

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

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 1-800-3 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.

20V436000

Date: 2020-07-28. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

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

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V594000

Date: 2019-08-13. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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." (excerpt)

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

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 num (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

PE23002

Opened: 2023-01-27. Closed: 2024-04-17.

Complete Loss of High Beams

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 bul

Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Linked campaign numbers: 24V148.

Manufacturer communications

152 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM67
EQUIPMENT21
EXTERIOR LIGHTING16
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE13
ENGINE12
VISIBILITY12
POWER TRAIN9
SUSPENSION9

11037523

Date: 2026-09-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY049) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluride vehicles manufactur

11037524

Date: 2026-09-25. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY049) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch.

11037615

Date: 2026-09-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION: This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing a 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicle's engine, which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. Follow the flowchart on page 2 in this procedure to repair a vehicl

11037520

Date: 2026-09-23. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY049) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluri

11037521

Date: 2026-09-23. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY049) - This document is the announcement to dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on

11037522

Date: 2026-09-23. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY049) a This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding Warranty Extension Campaign WTY049.

11037610

Date: 2026-09-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AWD COUPLER NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (Revision 1) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the 4-Wheel

11033994

Date: 2026-06-04. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET REPLACEMENT (WTY045) - This bulletin provides information regarding the a Warranty Extension Program (WTY045)a for the inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the oil filter housing gasket on certain 2020a 20

11032906

Date: 2026-05-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AWD COUPLER NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the 4-Wheel Drive a 4WDa system software on some 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 08, 2019 through December 17, 2025. The affected vehicles may exhibi

11032907

Date: 2026-05-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 4WD COUPLING NOISE/VIBRATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT) - CLOSED & SUPERSEDED BY CHA129 - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by CHA129. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the 4-Wheel Drive a 4WDa system software on certain 2020-2022MY Telluride (ON) vehicles

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
TELLURIDE768

Same model, other years

All model years | All Kia models

Other Kia models, 2020

Sources

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