VehicleVerdict

2020 Kia Telluride problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 906 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Telluride year — the 2020 model ranks #1 of 7 Telluride years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 14 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (182), visibility & wipers (153), and other (138), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

906

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

14

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Telluride years?

Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted906 complaints2020: 906 complaints2021: 421 complaints2022: 403 complaints2023: 289 complaints2024: 299 complaints2025: 117 complaints2027: 12 complaints
Telluride NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Telluride years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Kia Telluride problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting18220%
Visibility & Wipers15317%
Other13815%
Engine13815%
Transmission698%
Electrical System536%
Body & Structure485%
Suspension313%
Driver Assistance182%
Fuel System162%
Brakes152%
Speed Control131%
Seats101%
Steering91%
Seat Belts40%
Airbags30%
Trailer Hitch30%
Tires & Wheels10%
Latches & Locks10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2020 Kia Telluride have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V407000SeatsJune 5, 2024 · 462,869 units

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.

24V214000TransmissionMarch 20, 2024 · 427,407 units

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.

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.

24V148000LightingFebruary 26, 2024 · 35,031 units

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.

22V626000Trailer HitchAugust 15, 2022 · 36,417 units

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.

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.

20V436000Driver AssistanceJuly 28, 2020 · 86,921 units

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 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.

19V594000Seat BeltsAugust 13, 2019 · 30,168 units

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."

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Hooded projector lights provide very limited vision on dark roads. We hit a deer and have significant damage to our vehicle due to this issue. Our brights do not come on either. Nothing happens when we select the bright option.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 25, 2022 · crash

Continues to have issues with dealership to remedy/correct recalls. Have waited for 60+ days since recall remedy was initiated in August 2024 Headlights continue to be a hazzard and due to this we had unfortunate incident of a deer running out and inability to see in the dusk of 6am due to lack of…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 18, 2024 · crash

Vehicle started on fire and burned up while parked. Fire came from the engine compartment. Unknown from exact location in engine compartment.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 19, 2024 · fire

My son was driving home from work and the vehicle shut off. He got it to come back on and it stopped while he was at a red light and a by standard yelled for him to get out of the vehicle as it caught fire underneath the car from unknown reasons.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 16, 2025 · fire

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V214000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 2, 2024 · crash

2020 Kia Telluride — common questions

Is the 2020 Kia Telluride reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 906 complaints put the 2020 model at #1 of 7 Telluride years. It is one of the Telluride years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Telluride problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (182 complaints), visibility & wipers (153 complaints), other (138 complaints).

Does the 2020 Kia Telluride have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Kia Telluride. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Kia Telluride under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Telluride years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Telluride years to avoid are 2020. The cleanest record among Telluride years belongs to 2027.

How safe is the 2020 Kia Telluride?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Kia Telluride earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.