2020 Kia Telluride Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride.

< older2021
Complaints
855
per 10K Sold
113.8
US Sales
75,119
Crashes
11
Fires
13
Injuries
14
Fatalities
1
Recalls
6

Worst 2020 Kia Telluride Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1173 complaints

Headlight/Taillight Failures

Avg mileage:24,741 mi
Crash-related:2
#2135 complaints

Wipers & Visibility

Avg mileage:6,512 mi
Crash-related:1
#3118 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:57,515 mi
Fires:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Kia Telluride.

Headlight/Taillight Failures
173
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
24,741
Wipers & Visibility
135
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
6,512
Engine Problems
118
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
57,515
Transmission / Drivetrain
63
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
13,027
Electrical Faults
45
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
14,006
Body Structure
45
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
2,559
Suspension Failures
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
50,000
Fuel System
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,000
Seat-Related Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
15,012
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
16,450
Sunroof/Moonroof
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
53,000
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
7,976
Visibility:Windshield
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
23,500
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
97,973
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Trailer Hitches
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat:Vehicle Latch Anchor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Bulbs
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Kia Telluride. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2020 Kia Telluride

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,078,813 vehicles.

24V407000Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
~462,869 affected

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.

24V214000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~427,407 affected

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.

24V148000Exterior Lighting:headlights
~35,031 affected

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

22V626000Trailer Hitches
~36,417 affected

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.

20V436000Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights · Electrical System:wiring
~86,921 affected

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."

19V594000Seat Belts:rear/other · Seat Belts:front
~30,168 affected

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."

Other Kia Telluride Years

2020 Kia Telluride — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2020 Kia Telluride reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2020 Kia Telluride has 855 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Headlight/Taillight Failures with 173 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2020 Kia Telluride?
Top reported problems: Headlight/Taillight Failures (173 complaints, avg 24,741 mi); Wipers & Visibility (135 complaints, avg 6,512 mi); Engine Problems (118 complaints, avg 57,515 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Kia Telluride?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 25,891 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2020 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride include 11 crash-related reports, 13 fire reports, 14 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2020 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,078,813 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2020 Kia Telluride?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (headlight/taillight failures) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Telluride reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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