Kia · Telluride · 2020
2020 Kia Telluride
6
Recalls
694
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Kia Telluride has 6 recalls and 694 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: exterior lighting (162 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 Kia Telluride page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is exterior lighting with 162 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2020 Kia Telluride reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Kia Telluride currently shows 6 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 694 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are exterior lighting (162), visibility/wiper (121), unknown or other (83).
- Vehicle
- 2020 Kia Telluride
- Recalls
- 6
- Complaints
- 694
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 24V407000June 05, 2024
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 24V214000March 20, 2024
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 24V148000February 26, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 22V626000August 15, 2022
TRAILER HITCHES
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 20V436000July 28, 2020
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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 19V594000August 13, 2019
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
694 totalENGINE
Apr 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with battery and st...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 1, 2026
Opened the sunroof. Used the automatic switch to close it. The sunroof jammed and would not close. It is popped up in the back. A piece on the left track broke off. The dealership wants over $6000 to repair the sunroof.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
Apr 1, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle stalled several times and with several unknown warnings ...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Apr 1, 2026
Oil leak that I’ve put so much effort in getting fixed or replaced and nothing is working. The seat belts suck. The seats are ripped.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 29, 2026
The sunroof mechanism in the vehicle jammed and broke out of the track. When my wife drove the vehicle in the interstate the sunroof began to vibrate and move around. She was afraid the glass was about to fly out and possibly hit a vehicle behind her. She had to reduce her speed...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 12, 2026
I am the original owner of a 2020 Kia Telluride. The white paint on the car is coming off in huge pieces all over the front. The primer is still attached to the metal. Huge chunks are coming off as we drive it. We have spoke to the dealership and Kia corporate as well and they d...
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VISIBILITY/WIPER
Mar 11, 2026
Windshield spontaneously cracked. I know it was spontaneous because the car was parked and I was near it for the full hour, nothing hit the windshield and when I got back in the car the windshield was cracked.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Mar 10, 2026
My 2020 Kia Telluride EX experienced a sudden engine shutoff / loss of motive power while driving in traffic. The vehicle stopped in the roadway, would not immediately restart, and restarted later after sitting. This was not normal stop/start operation, the car shut down. No low-...
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ENGINE
Mar 10, 2026
I have been having issues with excessive oil consumption . No warning signs or notifications . Also had an issue with my car stopping in the middle of the road which could have been related to the above problem per my mechanic.
POWER TRAIN
Feb 4, 2026
The check engine light is on and reading code P07104. The vehicle has been diagnosed and it was found the torque converter is slipping and the technician recommends replacing the transmission. The anti-freeze has been low over the past 30 days and must be leaking internally. I ha...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 694 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2020 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
Quick Compare
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Telluride have?
The 2020 Kia Telluride has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA has received 694 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Kia Telluride?
The 2020 Kia Telluride received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Telluride?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Kia Telluride are exterior lighting (162 reports), visibility/wiper (121 reports), unknown or other (83 reports).
Does the 2020 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2020 Kia Telluride. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.