Model year record

2020 Kia Telluride recalls & problems

The 2020 Kia Telluride has 7 safety recalls and 777 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (185 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints777filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 9reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

2020 Kia Telluride in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

3 recalls for this model year carry an NHTSA park outside advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

SeatsJul 2, 2026

Front assembly › Power adjust

Recall 26V430000462,869 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem: 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.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.

SeatsJun 5, 2024

Front assembly › Power adjust

Recall 24V407000462,869 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem: 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.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.

Power trainMar 20, 2024

Driveline › Driveshaft

Recall 24V214000427,407 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingFeb 26, 2024

Headlights

Recall 24V14800035,031 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
Risk: Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.

Trailer hitchesAug 15, 2022

Trailer hitches

Recall 22V62600036,417 vehicles

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem: 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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.

Forward collision avoidanceJul 28, 2020

Adaptive cruise control

Recall 20V43600086,921 vehicles

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

Components: Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control; Exterior lighting › Brake lights; Electrical system › Wiring

Seat beltsAug 13, 2019

Rear/other

Recall 19V59400030,168 vehicles

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

Components: Seat belts › Rear/other; Seat belts › Front

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	14.3%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	15.5%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Kia Telluride NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2020 Kia Telluride NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Telluride FWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Telluride AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch	185	2	0	0	9,150 mi
Engine	153	0	5	0	75,500 mi
Unknown or other	146	1	3	3	4,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	136	1	0	0	4,450 mi
Power train	70	1	1	2	6,438 mi
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator	61	1	3	0	26,488 mi
StructureBody; Body › Roof and pillars	56	0	0	2	3,835 mi
Suspension	33	0	0	0	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Windshield	18	0	0	1	53,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	18	0	0	0	—
Seats	13	0	1	3	30,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	13	2	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
Batter drainage issue. Have paid for a new battery and I just bought the car 09/14/2026
Oct 25, 2026
Fuel/propulsion system
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2020 Kia Telluride SX with approximately 129,000 miles. The vehicle began experiencing delayed starting followed by a very strong gasoline odor. I also heard a hissing sound that continued after the engine was turned off. Due to safety concerns, I had the vehicle towed to a repair facility rather than continuing to drive it. The repair shop subsequently confirmed a significant fuel leak with gasoline spraying and pooling underneath the vehicle, reportedly extending from the front toward the rear. I am extremely concerned about the potential fire hazard this condition presents especially because I had been operating the vehicle before…
Oct 18, 2026
Seats
1. Incident & Vehicle Identification â¢Vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride â¢Owner Name: [XXX] â¢Contact Phone: [XXX] â¢Kia Customer Care Case Number: XXX â¢NHTSA Safety Recall Number: 26V430 2. Description of Safety Hazard & Manufacturer Reimbursement Refusal Plaintext COMPLAINT REGARDING MANUFACTURER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH 49 CFR Â§ 573.13 (REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRE-NOTIFICATION REMEDIES) STATEMENT OF FACT & CHRONOLOGY: 1. In XXX, my 2020 Kia Telluride experienced a dangerous, uncommanded driver's power seat failure. The seat drifted to the full-forward position without user input and the switch/assembly became stuck, preventing adjustment. 2. I took the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership to…
Oct 7, 2026
Engine
hi- I bought a used Kia Telluride (2020) and after 2 months it stalled out and after 2 different mechanics and a Kia dealership telling me it was fixed- it was not. The car basically had no oil left with zero light or warning. after doing some research, there are tons of people complaining of the same issue. the engine is essentially ruined and needs to be replaced and Kia is not addressing this as an issue. my care has stalled out 3 times with my children in it at dangerous intersections. Kia is not taking responsibility of this- having to check oil every 3 days is not normal but Kia thinks it is I guess. The blue smoke coming from my exhaust is a serious problem. A local news station just…
Nov 8, 2024
Engine
I have this 2020 telluride and itâs consuming a lot of oil I have to add a quart of oil every 600 miles. I was wondering if there is any open recalls for this.
Oct 1, 2025
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an electrical bleeding between the wiring harness. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was an expensive out-of-pocket repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Sep 9, 2026 · 119,000 miles
Engine
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving excessive engine oil loss and persistent oil leakage on my 2020 Kia Telluride, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle currently has approximately 100,367 miles. It has been experiencing significant oil loss, approximately one quart of engine oil per week. I am concerned that this amount of oil loss is abnormal and creates a potential safety hazard if the engine loses sufficient oil while the vehicle is being driven. The vehicle has also had repeated oil leaks, including an oil pan leak and timing cover leak. I have taken the vehicle to Kia for repairs multiple times, but the oil-related problems have continued. This has required me to continually monitor…
Oct 6, 2026
Structure › Body
This afternoon i noticed that my 2020 Kia Telluride paint has and continues to peel in large chunks in my driveway. All was good this morning and then all of the sudden large pieces of paint started to break away. Near the windshield hood area.
Oct 6, 2026

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Complete Loss of High BeamsClosedLed to recall 24V148
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 shutterâs 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…
PE23002 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Apr 17, 2024