2020 Kia Telluride

2020 Kia Telluride recalls (6)

• 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: 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.

• 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: 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.

• 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: 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.

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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

  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.

• 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: 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.

• 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: 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.

2020 Kia Telluride safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2020 Kia Telluride owner complaints (15)

• STRUCTURE

  Sunroof issue with the air dam that lifts up when the sunroof opens breaks off and throws the the sunroof off track so your stuck with it open or it breaks the track or glass

• POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH on the highway, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the battery warning light was flickering and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to coast the vehicle into a parking lot off the highway where the vehicle remained. The contact replaced the battery; however, approximately one hour later while driving 50-55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost power and shut off. The vehicle was coasted onto the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with alternator failure. The alternator was replaced. The contact was notified of a possible transmission failure; however, there was no fault codes retrieved. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the head gasket was damaged, and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

• ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Oil burns too fast causing oil changes to be required by every 3000 miles

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  I am filing this complaint regarding my 2020 Kia Telluride because of excessive oil consumption that Kia has refused to address. My vehicle currently has approximately 138,000 miles and consumes about one quart of engine oil every 500 miles. This level of oil consumption is excessive and creates an ongoing risk of engine damage if the oil level is not constantly monitored and replenished. After researching this issue, I discovered that many Kia owners have reported similar excessive oil consumption problems. Despite the large number of complaints, Kia has not issued a recall or provided assistance for owners whose vehicles experience this problem after the factory warranty expires. I sought assistance from my local Kia dealership. At one point, the service manager attempted to advocate for me and other customers by bringing these concerns to Kia corporate. I later learned that he was no longer employed there. They have completed oil consumption tests and agreed my car is consuming a significant amount of oil. They conducted a “band aid” fix that did not help. The last appointment when we brought it in, all they did was check oil levels again. Since then, my concerns have largely been ignored, and I have been offered no meaningful assistance. While I understand my vehicle is outside the warranty period, a vehicle should not consume one quart of oil every 500 miles under normal operation. This appears to be a widespread issue rather than normal wear and tear. I respectfully request that this complaint be investigated and added to the record of similar complaints involving Kia vehicles. I also ask that Kia be encouraged to provide assistance to affected owners whose vehicles suffer from excessive oil consumption caused by what appears to be a common defect. Thank you for your time and consideration.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  My 2020 Kia Telluride that has Snow White Pearl paint that is coming off in chunks. There are lots of records of 2017-2023 Kia's that have the Snow White Paint peeling off. The paint is coming off the roof and hood area. The exposed metal can quickly develop penetrating rust. This weakens the metal's ability to withstand impacts increasing the risk of failure during a crash. Also the flaking clear coat and paint, creates highly reflective surfaces distracting other drivers. Also the paint peeling in large sheets can detach and potentially strike following vehicles and causing road hazards or accidents. The dealership has taken pictures and acknowledged the issue but fails to correct it due to "high mileage" and me not having a paint warranty. The problem started about 7 months ago

• STRUCTURE

  My vehicle’s white exterior paint and clear coat are delaminating and peeling off in pieces while driving. Loose paint pieces fly off the vehicle, creating a potential road hazard for other drivers. The defect affects the hood, the front, and the area above the windshield. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The paint delamination has been visually confirmed and is worsening over time. I have contacted Kia customer service multiple times by phone and email requesting repair or resolution. Kia has not responded or offered any remedy. The defect has not been inspected by the dealer as Kia declined to address it. No warning lamps or messages are applicable to this defect. The peeling first became noticeable approximately June 1st, 2026 and has progressively worsened since.

• STRUCTURE

  What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The factory paint on my 2020 white Kia Telluride has failed. The paint is peeling and flaking from the hood and the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request, and I have photographs documenting the paint failure. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The peeling paint exposes the underlying metal to the elements, which may lead to corrosion and deterioration of the vehicle over time. Pieces of peeling paint may also detach while the vehicle is being driven, creating a potential hazard for other motorists. In addition, the loss of the factory paint significantly reduces the value of the vehicle and raises concerns about the quality and durability of the manufacturer's finish. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? At this time, the problem has not been confirmed by a Kia dealer or an independent service center. However, I have found numerous reports from other owners of white Kia Tellurides experiencing similar paint peeling issues, suggesting this may be a widespread manufacturing defect. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Not at this time. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lights, messages, or other vehicle symptoms before the paint began peeling. The issue developed gradually as the factory paint began separating from the hood and roof under normal use.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The paint on my white 2020 Kia Telluride is peeling/delaminating from the hood and the area directly above the windshield (A-pillar/roof edge). Peeling began as small chips and has progressed to larger sections coming off down to bare primer/metal, with no impact or collision involved. This appears consistent with a known paint adhesion defect affecting Pearl White Kia Telluride and Sorento vehicles across multiple model years, as documented in numerous other owner complaints and online forums. The peeling paint exposes bare metal to the elements, creating a risk of corrosion/rust that could compromise body panel integrity over time. It also significantly reduces visibility-adjacent surface integrity near the windshield area and creates sharp/jagged paint edges. This is not isolated wear-and-tear damage but a manufacturing/coating defect, as the primer layer is visibly intact and separating cleanly from the base coat. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this as a widespread manufacturing defect, as it appears Kia has been aware of this issue but has not issued a recall or extended warranty coverage to affected owners outside the standard paint warranty period.

• POWER TRAIN

  The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving with the AWD activated in the rain, the vehicle ran off the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact spoke to the seller, who confirmed a previous failure with the AWD coupler. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Another local dealer, Kia Service - Southlake Kia (4191 E Lincoln Hwy, Merrillville, IN 46410); was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer stated that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  SC299 (high‑beam headlight failure) is actually a safety defect tied to visibility and part of a recall which my telluride falls just outside of

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  The wind deflector and track assembly on the sunroof of our 2020 Kia Telluride (56K miles) broke when trying to open the sunroof and Kia Corporate is unwilling to cover the cost of the repairs ($4,000). Because the track assembly cracked, the dealer had to break another part just to get the sunroof glass to sit flush, and it is only being held down with Gorilla tape. This happened in the drive way at our home and thankfully not on the highway at high speeds. We already had to pay $350 for Kia just to break a part of the sunroof so that it sits flush and they are quoting $3800+ for the remaining repair.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I have a 2020 Kia telluride. On 6/14/2026 I opened my sun roof and was unable to close it. I called my local dealership and was advised that they were unable to look at my car for at least 2 weeks. I am currently having it repaired by a licensed auto shop which will cost me $3800.00

• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil consumption and a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that as per the Kia App, the vehicle was diagnosed with error codes: P030300 and P030500. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

• SUSPENSION

  Rattling noise experienced going over small bumps. Dealer confirmed rear shocks were leaking/rusted and needed replacement. Was charged almost an additional $1450 since I am out of warranty period. Car only has 44,275 miles after 6.5 years of owning.

• POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  A continuation from my last post. I brought my car back to the dealer.The worker came out to inspect my car and he lifted the hood and he said I had a loose negative battery cable and that I had the wrong battery in my car. He said that might be the cause of the flickering lights.My car was at the dealership for three days before I was called to come pickup my car.He stated they found another service update that my car needed P0471 and that cleared my check engine light and the battery he said once again I have the wrong battery in my car and they were only able to tighten the negative cable so much.I explained to him that it was the correct battery because I went to Walmart where the battery was purchased and they auto manger printed out that paperwork that shows it is the correct battery for that car.Then he had me sign for my car and I left.While driving home my battery light stared flickering again.So I called him and said I thought you were able to tighten the negative cable to the battery. He then said they did the best they can do because it is the wrong battery.After he got off the phone all my lights on my dashboard lit up.My car seemed possessed.My steering locked up and brakes were not working.Scared and crying i called him back and was telling him what was happening to my car.He said once again it was due to battery. Crying I said I'm scared what do I do?He advised me to put my car in netural and try to pull off to the side.I explained to him that I was on the freeway in 5pm traffic my hazards, signals and brakes aren't working.I then asked him what do I do once I can stop the car.Do I bring it back to the dealership? He said the only thing they can do if i bring it back is to have me buy a new battery.At this point the car completely turned off.I was able to roll off the freeway then my car stopped completely violently as if someone slammed the the brakes.Now they want me to buy a new alternator and transmission.Car had no issue before taking it in.