NHTSA attached 3 advisories to recalls on this vehicle. Advisories apply to specific production runs — check your VIN with the manufacturer or at nhtsa.gov/recalls before driving it.
When it fails
0060006,000 milesMedian miles at failure
196 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
Most common 2020 Kia Telluride problems
172 of the 777 complaints (22%) are about the headlights.
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Exterior Lighting · headlights
164
1
0
0
Engine
142
0
4
0
Visibility/Wiper · wipers
133
1
0
0
Unknown or Other
106
1
1
3
Structure › Body · body and frame
49
0
0
0
Electrical System
46
0
3
0
Power Train · transmission
38
1
0
2
Suspension
25
0
0
0
Service Brakes · brakes
11
0
0
0
Seats
9
0
0
3
2020 Kia Telluride headlights problems
22% of all complaints
172 of the 777 complaints are about the headlights. This is what owners describe:
sets off warning lights on the dash8% · 13
Share of the 172 headlights complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the high beam headlights failed to illuminate as intended, and the vehicle shuddered before losing automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the warning lights failed to illuminate as designed when the engine oil level was low.”
Owner complaint, filed Apr 1, 2026
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the contact attempted to activate the high beam headlights; however, the high-beam headlights failed to function. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the high beam headlights warning light illuminated but failed to function as intended.”
Owner complaint, filed Jul 1, 2024 at 80,000 miles
Complaints and recalls over time
By year of filing
All complaintsAbout the headlightsRecall (red: the headlights)NHTSA investigation opened
Complaints about the 2020 Telluride peaked in 2023, with 151 filed that year. Owners had filed 155 complaints about the headlights before the first recall that covers it, 24V148000 in February 2024; 17 more have come in since. In 2026 owners filed 132 so far.
7 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust26V430000Park outside
Filed Jul 2, 2026462,869 vehiclesKia America, Inc.
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 or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Risk. 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 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.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust24V407000Park outside
Filed Jun 5, 2024462,869 vehiclesKia America, Inc.
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.
Risk. 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.
Filed Mar 20, 2024427,407 vehiclesKia America, Inc.
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.
Risk. 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.
Filed Feb 26, 202435,031 vehiclesKia America, Inc.
Defect. 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.
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.
Filed Aug 15, 202236,417 vehiclesKia America, Inc.
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.
Risk. 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.
Filed Jul 28, 202086,921 vehiclesKia Motors America
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."
Risk. 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.
Filed Aug 13, 201930,168 vehiclesKia Motors America
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."
Risk. 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.
All 7 campaigns on file, newest first.
NHTSA investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. One names the 2020 Telluride.
Complete Loss of High BeamsPreliminary evaluation PE23002Closed
Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Apr 17, 2024Led to recall 24V148headlights
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 shutter’s electric motor will …
Technical service bulletins
152 on file
Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2020 Telluride. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.
electrical system 45engine 19transmission 15headlights 13visibility 10equipment 9suspension 8wipers 5
WTY049_OWNRWarranty extensionSep 25, 2026wipers
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY049) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through July 27, 2022. For these …
WTY049_REIMBWarranty extensionSep 25, 2026wipers
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY049) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch.
WTY049_DPWarranty extensionSep 23, 2026wipers
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY049) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through July …
WTY049_DPSMWarranty extensionSep 23, 2026wipers
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY049) - This document is the announcement to dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from …
This Pitstop provides information regarding the disposal of the headlamp assembly desiccant/absorbent pack(s) on some 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with either Halogen or LED lamps. The headlamp desiccant pack(s) may expand over time during normal vehicle operation. Desiccant pack expansion is normal. Desiccant packs are a consumable part and …
WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the halogen headlamp assembly in certain 2020 MY Telluride LX/S/EX vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was …
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Halogen Headlamp High Beam Warranty Extension Program' (WTY030) to replace the …
WTY030_TSBWarranty extensionMay 5, 2023headlights
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Halogen Headlamp High Beam Warranty Extension Program' (WTY030) to replace the affected (left and/or right side) headlamp assembly on certain 2020MY Telluride (ON) LX/S/EX vehicles, produced at Kia Georgia from January 09, 2019 through …
WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the halogen headlamp assembly in certain 2020 MY Telluride LX/S/EX vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first …
WTY030_QAWarranty extensionApr 24, 2023headlights
WARRANTY EXTENSION: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the warranty extension (WTY030).
Showing the newest 6 of 13 bulletins about the headlights, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version tested
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
14.3%
2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV FWD
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
15.5%
New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Oct 25, 2026TX
Batter drainage issue. Have paid for a new battery and I just bought the car 09/14/2026
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 19, 2026TX
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 discovering the severity of the leak. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this fuel-system failure represents a broader safety issue affecting 2020 Kia Telluride vehicles.
Seats
Filed Oct 17, 2026GA
1. Incident & Vehicle Identification •Vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride •Owner Name: [XXX] •Contact Phone: [XXX] •Kia Customer Care Case Number: XXX •NHTSA Safety Recall Number: 26V430 2. Description of Safety Hazard & Manufacturer Reimbursement Refusal Plaintext COMPLAINT REGARDING MANUFACTURER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH 49 CFR § 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 address this safety hazard. The dealership diagnosed the issue and performed repairs out-of-pocket. 3. Subsequent to my repair, Kia issued an official NHTSA Safety Recall concerning the driver's power seat switch/fuse assembly, warning owners that the switch could stick, overheat, and cause a vehicle fire. 4. I submitted my repair receipt and dealership invoice to Kia for reimbursement under the federal General Reimbursement Plan. 5. On September 25, 2026, Kia Customer Care formally denied my claim (Case #26382986), stating: "Per the invoice received, the electronic fuse assembly was not installed. Reimbursement request denied." REGULATORY VIOLATION UNDER FEDERAL LAW: Under 49 CFR § 573.13(d)(2)(v)(A), federal safety standards stipulate that a manufacturer's reimbursement plan MUST cover repairs that a
Engine
Filed Oct 16, 2026MA
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 reported on this of a woman needing an engine replacement and Kia not covering it, but after the news got to them they now are. We need this issue addressed as it is NOT SAFE and Kia needs to put a recall on this immediately- like 5 years ago this should have been addressed! I am not stuck with a car I still owe money on and have to figure out how to pay for a new engine!? KIA needs to do something- this is a safety issue! see article below! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine
Filed Oct 14, 2026CA
I have this 2020 telluride and it’s 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.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 2026119,000 milesMI
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.
Structure › Body
Filed Oct 7, 2026NY
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.
Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2026CA
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 and add engine oil to prevent the oil level from becoming dangerously low. I specifically brought the vehicle to Kia because of the excessive oil consumption and ongoing leaks. However, the dealership has told me that they will not perform an oil-consumption test until the existing oil leaks are repaired. Kia Customer Care also opened case #[XXX], but I was subsequently told that Kia could not provide assistance because the vehicle is outside the standard warranty period. I am concerned that the underlying cause of the excessive oil loss has not been properly diagnosed. I am also concerned about the possibility of engine damage or engine failure if the vehicle continues losing oil at this rate. Kia has also issued a 2026 warranty extension concerning an engine oil-filter-housing gasket leak
Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2026IL
I am filing this safety report regarding my 2020 Kia Telluride, which currently has approximately 133,000 miles. The vehicle is experiencing severe internal oil consumption, burning through multiple quarts of engine oil rapidly between normal service intervals without triggering any dashboard warning lights, creating a high risk of sudden engine failure or stalling at highway speeds. Additionally, the vehicle is losing coolant at an accelerated rate, risking severe engine overheating. Furthermore, the suspension system has been a recurring safety nightmare; the shocks have failed and been replaced twice, and a critical structural defect caused the tires to rub directly against suspension components while driving, prematurely destroying the tires and severely compromising vehicle stability and steering control. I do not feel safe driving this car or transporting my kids everyday. When I spoke to Kia customer service, I was told they could not do anything despite being just under 100,000 miles at the time.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 2, 2026GA
LED running light of driver's side headlamp assembly inoperable On 10/14/24 BOTH headlamp assemblies were under recall warranty and replaced at Sons Kia in McDonough GA. On 10/8/25 I returned to Sons Kia for service and to have the LED checked on the driver's side as it was no longer operable, less than a year after replacement. I was advised there was no warranty on the LED running light but only the halogen bulb. They priced this headlamp assembly replacement cost at $1169. I believe Kia should accept responsibility of the failure of the new assembly that they sent a recall for and replace this one assembly at no charge to the customer. Kia Customer Service stated this was under warranty but denied by dealership service manager
Engine
Filed Oct 1, 2026MI
On September 24th, 2026, while traveling with my family in my 2020, KIA, Telluride, the vehicle began experiencing an unusual engine vibration approximately 200 miles into our trip. About five miles later, I exited the freeway and stopped to inspect it. Once stopped, the engine began knocking loudly. I checked the engine oil and coolant levels; both appeared normal, and the temperature gauge was at its usual reading. After waiting about five minutes, I restarted the vehicle, but the knocking became worse with each start. I stopped running the engine and had the vehicle towed to a Kia service center. The vehicle had approximately 99,350 miles. The shop has described the engine problem as a “catastrophic failure.” The cause and specific failed components are cannot be identified in this kind of failure. This sudden failure during freeway travel with my family created a serious safety concern and I am sure this needs to notified so that it doesn't happen to anyone who own's the same car. There are particles of metal shavings found in Oil filter which concludes engine failure with no explanation. Only option I am given is get the engine swap which is ~70% of the total cost of the car. Kia support just says since the car is out of warranty they cannot do anything about it. This is a serious durability issue. I totally understand that the car warranty was reduced for the 2nd owner, but first user could also get this problem on the freeway and can be dangerous for everyone driving i
Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 1, 2026AZ
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously failed while the vehicle was being driven on the interstate at approximately 70 mph. A very loud bang, comparable to the sound of a gunshot, was heard from the roof area. After safely pulling over, we observed that the sunroof glass was bowed upward/outward and had a large crack extending from the driver’s side toward the passenger’s side and toward the front of the vehicle. The glass remained intact within the sunroof frame but was visibly damaged. The vehicle and sunroof assembly are available for inspection upon request. The damaged sunroof glass should also be retained and made available for inspection, if possible. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The failure occurred unexpectedly while traveling at approximately 70 mph on an interstate. The sudden, extremely loud bang startled us and created an immediate safety concern while the vehicle was traveling at highway speed. The sunroof glass also bowed significantly upward and developed a large crack. An unexpected failure of overhead glass while traveling at highway speed presents a potential safety hazard to the occupants. We were also concerned about the possibility of glass breaking further or pieces of glass becoming detached and creating a hazard for the occupants or other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or indepe
Engine
Filed Oct 1, 2026NC
Purchased vehicle 8/31/2021 - 32k miles 10/18/21 - first mention of oil consumption (opened case with Kia) 2023,2025,2026. 3 more cases filed and DENIED with Kia customer care. Filed BBB claim, filed BBB anutoline claim, also hired lemon lawyer. Kia offered $6k to go away (I declined). *July 18,2026 Kia finally diagnosis and recommends engine replacement. Bore scope was used to discover scoring on cylinders from significant oil consumption. Vehicle is now smoking at take off (112k miles), current open case with Kia customer care again. Requesting buyback or settlement for the 3rd time in 5 years. Still paying $600 a month Safety concern: on a trip out of state vehicle dash lit up every icon and went dead in the middle of a packed 4 lane highway , started with power steering, no lights, no horn , couldn't roll window down.(video avail) Vehicle towed to dealership. Had replaced battery 2 times already. This has happened twice and my family was in the vehicle once on the large highway, very scary no one knew we were broke down bc we had no way to show it. People blowing and zooming by mad. Low oil light doesn't exist on this vehicle, I've been bone dry with no indication EVER. I now ride around with a 5 quart jug of oil and funnel in the back of my car since 72,000 miles. This should be illegal. Rear suspension: 4 times the rear suspension has been replaced (7 times in the shop to be fixed one time over 30 days) and has never been fixed , now making the same knocking noise it's
Engine
Filed Sep 30, 2026NJ
Vehicle is burning a significant amount of oil leading to it becoming dry. I am seeing a lot of people complaining about this issue but there has not been a recall sent out.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 29, 2026MI
Everything with paint that everyone else with the pearl color is dealing with flaked all off .. electrical my seat caught on fire ... lighting headlights constantlyfail have changed multiple.. I can keep going on but there isnt enough time or room
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 29, 2026TX
Plastic part of sunroof mechanism snapped, causing the whole sunroof to jam and not be able to close properly. Not only does this put interior damage of the car at risk, it puts a driver and passengers at risk in the case of inclement weather.
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2026OH
My 2020 Kia Telluride experienced progressive and severe engine oil consumption that ultimately required a full engine replacement. Beginning well before the failure, the vehicle required frequent manual oil top-offs between scheduled changes, including on longer trips. No low-oil warning light, check-engine light, or oil-pressure warning ever illuminated to alert of critically low oil levels. In late March 2026 an independent service center replaced the engine oil filter housing and related gasket after an oil leak was observed; an axle damaged by oil spray was also replaced at that time. Shortly afterward the manufacturer issued a warranty extension covering oil-filter-housing gasket leaks on 2020–2025 Tellurides, extending coverage to 15 years/180,000 miles for that specific condition. Despite the housing/gasket repair, the excessive oil consumption continued. Several weeks later the vehicle lost power and broke down while being driven. It was towed to an authorized Kia dealership. Technicians inspected the vehicle, confirmed heavy oil consumption (noting the engine had been requiring large amounts of oil nearly weekly with no external ground leaks observed), and diagnosed catastrophic internal engine damage. They recommended complete engine replacement at a quoted cost exceeding $13,000. The dealership also inspected the oil-filter housing area under the recent warranty extension but determined the engine damage itself fell outside that limited coverage. The oil-consumpti
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 23, 2026CA
I am the original owner of a 2020 Kia Telluride that was purchased new in December 2019 and currently has approximately 98,000 miles. The vehicle has been routinely serviced, including regular maintenance performed through authorized Kia dealerships. Recently, the vehicle developed a serious apparent engine problem. An independent repair facility inspected the engine oil and found it was very low and visible metallic particles/shavings in the oil. The oil also appeared abnormally burned. The repair facility found no evidence of an external oil leak and advised that the vehicle should not be driven because of the condition of the engine oil and presence of metal. I had the vehicle towed to an authorized Kia dealership rather than continue operating it. There were NO Engine or warning lights indicating low oil. The vehicle is currently awaiting diagnosis by Kia under the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. I am concerned that the presence of metal in the engine oil indicates an internal engine component failure that could result in sudden engine seizure, loss of propulsion, or other engine failure while the vehicle is being operated in traffic. There was no crash, fire, or injury associated with my vehicle at the time the problem was discovered because I stopped operating it after being advised not to drive it. The vehicle also has significant premature paint delamination on the roof. Large areas of the original factory paint have separated/flaked away from the roof despi
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 202669,000 milesNJ
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle was restarted; however, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed. The dealer informed the contact that no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and, after inspecting the vehicle, the oil level was low despite a recent oil change. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled for another oil consumption test with the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2026IA
Loss of oil that is going out the heads and exhaust. This causes loss of power. Oil light doesn’t come on. This happened twice. Once in March and we took it to the dealership to have it fixed. Unfortunately, the issue wasn’t fixed and it happened again in August.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 15, 2026VA
In March of 2025 I noticed that my Kia Telluride had a quarter size piece of paint missing in the middle of the roof near my windshield. As the past year has progressed paint delamination has occurred across the roof of my vehicle with other delamination spots being noticed in other areas of the body. My vehicle is a 2020 with 66,000 miles and is a white pearlescent coat. The delamination is exposing the body of my vehicle to the elements, causing rust and deterioration at a rapid speed. With a simple hand washing, the paint peeled off of my roof in a large area. This should not be occurring with a vehicle that has been well taken care of and should have many years of life left. Kia should be held responsible for the delamination that is occurring widely with the white pearlescent paint color.
Engine
Filed Sep 12, 2026PA
I have a Kia Telluride 2020 EX AWD automatic. I bought it used about 2.5 years ago. It’s been having some ongoing issues with oil consumption, which from what I have learned is pretty common in this car. Since I learned that I’ve been increasing the frequency of oil changes and topping off oil in between. It burns oil at an absurd rate, and gives no warning when oil is low. On the most recent change, ~a month ago, the mechanic recommended changing it after 3,000 miles. Yesterday the car completely shut down while driving on the highway, no warning or anything, just a noise, smoke and then the car died in a matter of seconds. I nearly got in an accident trying to drift to the side of the road with no power or anything. No control of the car. Ended up stuck in traffic going 70+ mph with a toddler. After it was towed, our mechanic found there was no oil left and we had two holes in the engine casing. He explained it looks like when the oil ran out completely, some part broke off in the engine and shot through the housing. So it’s looking like we need a new engine. We had NOT driven it 3000 miles since the last oil change just a month ago, and we have even topped off the oil since that change, most recently a week ago. This means the car burned through about 9 quarts of oil in <3000 miles. Multiple mechanics have told us this is a known issue with the car, and there is nothing to do to prevent it. When we called the dealership to inquire about getting a new engine, they told us w
Seats
Filed Sep 12, 2026NC
I own a 2020 Kia Telluride with a Canadian VIN permanently registered in [XXX] (military) and live in [XXX]. The vehicle has an active fire risk recall. Kia America and my local dealership in [XXX] are refusing to perform the federally mandated safety recall including a significant fire hazard if not repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2026109,000 milesMS
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired at a local dealer for an unknown recall associated with an engine oil leak. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed and an engine flush was suggested, and the contact was informed that six fuel injectors needed to be replaced as a possible repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 2026WA
My sunroof stopped being able to close all the way. I took it to the dealership and to fix it, it will cost over $7,00 dollars. It will open but won’t close all the way.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 10, 2026MD
On December 9, 2025, the factory exterior paint on my 2020 Kia Telluride (Snow White Pearl) began experiencing massive, sudden delamination, shearing completely off the roof down to the factory primer layer in a sheet larger than a hand towel. The peeling is continuing to spread due to wind exposure while driving. Furthermore, the paint failure has compromised the protective coating, causing specs of rust to actively break through the paint throughout the trunk and exterior body panels. This indicates a severe manufacturing defect in factory paint adhesion and corrosion protection, posing a direct threat to the vehicle's structural integrity and body longevity. Kia America has refused warranty assistance due to vehicle age/mileage limits, despite this being a widespread manufacturing failure.
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 9, 2026OH
Large chunks of paint peeling from hood and top of car. Yes, available for inspection. Safety concerns for visibility issues for driver and other drivers if paint impairs visibility. Yes, visited a collision repair shop, stated they see this being an issue a lot with Kia Tellurides, especially the snow white as they didn’t put primer on vehicle first. Yes, was inspected by insurance representative. No warnings, started about a month ago and has gotten gradually worse.
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 2026NC
The sun roof warning light on dash suddenly came on and when I tried to open it up it broke and would no longer close. Finally got front toclise but back won't. Paeamount Kua of Asheville wants $7000 to fix even though I have extended warranty.
Engine
Filed Sep 6, 2026UT
My engine failed from burning oil, even though the car has been maintained its whole life, 14 documented oil changes, roughly every 5,000 miles. • Jiffy-lube shop found the crankcase completely bone dry, only 4,344 miles after the last oil change. No reading on the dipstick. They added 6 quarts. Engine was knocking before and after. • No oil warning light ever came on, and no low-oil warning, just a check engine light and the knocking. • Towed same day to an independent shop. They found code P0524 (engine oil pressure too low) and say the internal noise is probably a rod bearing. Engine needs to be replaced. • The car goes into limp mode while driving. On the highway it dropped from 60 mph to 20 mph in live traffic with no warning. I couldn't safely get to an exit. • That's about 1.4 quarts per 1,000 miles, Kia's own bulletin ENG222 calls 1 quart per 1,000 excessive. • The car is not drivable, hasn't been repaired. This happened around 3 months after purchasing it second hand. Lots of other 2020 Telluride owners are reporting the same oil consumption problem.
Engine
Filed Aug 28, 2026AL
The car has stalled numerous times on the roadway while driving. The issue has been identified as an oil consumption issue. There was no low pressure warning light or other warning indicating that there is an oil pressure issue or any other early warning of an engine stall. The dealer has indicated that a complete engine replacement is required to correct the problem. Based upon research, there has been a significant amount of complaints pertaining to this issue. This same oil consumption and engine stall issue was part of a Class Action settlement by KIA, however this particular KIA model was not covered in the litigation.
Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2026WA
Vehicle experienced significant drivability issues including shaking/clinking at speeds over 50 mph, check engine light, and reported two-cylinder misfires. Engine oil level was critically low, not registering on the dipstick, requiring approximately 2 quarts added to continue driving. An independent mechanic inspection found excessive oil in Cylinder 2 and assessed that oil was likely leaking past the piston rings and burning, recommending a bottom-end rebuild or engine replacement. Kia dealership (Sunset Kia) inspection subsequently found a score mark in Cylinder 6 and two external oil leaks (oil pan gasket and oil filter housing). Kia approved goodwill repair of the external leaks only, after which I was instructed to drive approximately 1,000 miles for a follow-up oil consumption test. After that period, the dealership confirmed the engine was still consuming oil beyond the external leaks. Kia Corporate took approximately three weeks to review a goodwill request for engine replacement, ultimately denying it. During this three-week period the vehicle remained at the dealership, and I incurred over a week of out-of-pocket rental car expenses due to no loaner vehicle being available and no transportation assistance offered. The vehicle has fewer than 100,000 miles. I am concerned this reflects an internal engine defect (oil consumption/piston ring or cylinder wall issue) affecting the vehicle’s safe operation, given the drivability symptoms (shaking, misfire, near-zero oil l
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 23, 2026GA
I went to open my sunroof and I see a piece sticking up. My sunroof then wouldnt close. I get home and find out its the wind deflector. I tried to close the sunroof and now my sunroof if stuck open. One of the tracks is now misaligned and I can't close my sunroof.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 22, 2026TX
The factory-installed driver/passenger side LED headlight assembly suffered a sudden, total internal electrical failure while driving at night, causing an immediate loss of forward visibility and creating a severe crash hazard. This is a known, systemic manufacturing defect affecting premium trims (SX/SX-Prestige) of the 2020 Kia Telluride. The housing seals degrade prematurely, allowing condensation to become trapped inside the unit. This moisture corrodes the internal circuit boards and shorts out the electrical modules, completely disabling the high beams, low beams, and running lights. Because these LED units are entirely sealed, they cannot be serviced or repaired by changing a bulb; the entire expensive structural component must be replaced. Kia is fully aware of 2020 Telluride headlight failures and issued Safety Recall SC299 (NHTSA Campaign 24V148000) to address them. However, Kia arbitrarily limited that safety recall to lower trims utilizing halogen assemblies. Premium trims utilizing LED assemblies are experiencing the exact same catastrophic loss of nighttime illumination due to internal electrical failures, yet owners are being forced to pay out-of-pocket to fix an inherent safety defect. The NHTSA needs to mandate that Kia expand Campaign SC299 to include all 2020 Telluride trim levels equipped with LED headlight assemblies before this widespread visibility failure causes a fatal nighttime collision.
Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2026FL
I bought my vehicle used around 62,000 miles, I was the second owner. Around 90,000 miles my vehicle suddenly stopped driving. There was absolutely no signs of issues prior to this event. I had it towed to the Kia dealership where they recommended an entire engine replacement, but assured me I was outside of warranty. I did not pay for extended warranty so I decided to take it to an independent mechanic who informed me there was a missing internal pin. This mechanic felt certain this was a manufacturing issue. He was able to repair multiple components without replacing the whole engine and the vehicle was drivable again. Now at 122,000 miles the vehicle had the same exact issue occur. I have owned this vehicle for less than three years and have had engine failure twice. After researching online there are many people who have experienced the same exact issues and probably thousands more who were not vocal about it. This is absolutely a manufacturing problem with this vehicle and it deserves to be addressed.
EngineFire
Filed Jul 29, 2026GA
**1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The engine failed catastrophically and caught fire while I was driving. The vehicle was towed to the Kia dealership, where it remains available for inspection upon request. **2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The engine suddenly caught fire while I was driving, creating an immediate risk of a serious crash, injury, or death to me, my passengers, and other motorists. I had to pull over immediately, and the fire department responded to extinguish the fire and ensure everyone's safety. **3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?** Yes. The Kia dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the engine has failed and requires replacement. However, they attributed the failure to "engine wear and tear" despite the vehicle having only approximately 111,000 miles and having been regularly maintained according to Kia's recommended maintenance schedule. Two months before the failure, the same dealership repaired an engine oil leak, and they have been unable to explain why the engine failed and caught fire. **4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others?** The vehicle has been inspected by the Kia dealership. The local fire department responded to the vehicle fire at the scene. At this time, the vehicle has not been inspected by the man
Electrical System
Filed Jul 28, 2026PA
Instrument cluster began failing intermittently (tachometer first, then other gauges), and the dealer determined the entire cluster had to be replaced at a cost of about $3,000. The vehicle had 78,000 miles, so it was outside Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2026IN
Vehicle experiences intermittent brake failure at normal and low speeds. No indicator lights are present, no warnings are given.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 27, 202660,000 milesCA
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact needed to add a quart of oil per week. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the piston in the engine was damaged from oil consumption, ultimately causing the engine failure. The engine was replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and denied covering the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted about the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 27, 2026AZ
I attempted to open the moonroof on our 2020 Kia Telluride. When it opened, it was cockeyed and off track. I pushed the button to close it, and I heard a plastic piece break and the moonroof remained stuck open. I took this car to Kia of Olympia, Kia of St. Cloud and Horne Kia, all confirmed that the plastic parts that broke are related to to their issued TCB#BOD319. This is well known and frequent issue on 2020-2022 Kia Tellurides, where the plastic for the wind guard snaps off and gets lodged in the sunroof track. Even though this is a known issue with the Kia Telluride, they have declined to cover the repair cost, and we now must pay over $7,000 for an entirely new sunroof assembly.
Engine
Filed Jul 27, 2026KS
Purchased this car used in July of 2025 with 77,000 miles. When we went in for the first complimentary oil change at ~5,000 miles, there was no noticeable oil on the dipstick. The dealership continued with the oil change and advised us to come back every 500miles for an oil consumption test. We did this three separate times and each time we were at least a full quart low each time. It was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Luckily for us, it was covered under warranty. Our engine was replaced with a remanufactured engine from Kia. When we asked if this problem was going to happen again, we were told yes, but with no timeline. We now have no idea what to expect with this “new, but used” engine and why we were never alerted to the car being low on oil before the first complimentary oil change. Concerns for the purpose of this report are the reliability of these engines and the oil level/pressure sensing system.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 21, 2026UT
The sun roof came completely off the tracks and won’t close. The car is no longer weather proof and is at risk of the glass flying off at high speeds. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed. Has not been inspected by the manufacturer or others. No warnings prior to the failure.
Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2026MN
This 2020 Telluride, like others, burns excessively through oil. I had to add 2.5 quarts recently and I had not hit 3,000 miles since my last oil change. I have to check the oil level constantly because of how fast it burns through it. It does not meet the manufacturers guidelines nor does it give any warnings that the oil level low at all. Even being THAT low.
Electrical System
Filed Jul 10, 2026IN
My vehicle has the radiator fan that will not shut off. It stays running until the battery goes dead. I have taken it in to dealership and get the can not reproduce answer as well as maybe its this or that, you will have to leave it here. In doing research this is a known issues with the relay being built in to the PCB fuse block. The block shorts or sticks and the whole thing needs to be replaced. Very pricey. Lots of owners have or had the same issue. In speaking to an independant repair facility I was told this could be a fire risk yet again. The unit could overheat from running at full speed constantly or the wiring could catch fire. Kia will not recognize the situation, and wants to throw parts at it at owners cost. I have to unplug the fan when parked to stop this from occurring.
Electrical System
Filed Jul 9, 2026IL
Vehicle has 75,000 miles. The knuckle on the steering column and the rack and pinion became worn out causing the steering wheel to be loose and jump at high speeds. Mirrors would stop opening randomly. Rear camera stopped working making it very difficult to view when backing up. Replacing the camera did not work, the harness was tested to be ok. The only other option is the software in the head unit. This is the 2nd head unit as the first one was replaced for a failed bluetooth. Cost exceeds $5000 to replace it.
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 6, 2026GA
The power sunroof and its sliding track/rail assembly failed. While operating the sunroof using its normal electric open/close function during highway driving, the sunroof glass/panel traveled to full open and the track mechanism broke at that point, preventing normal closure. The vehicle and damaged sunroof/track assembly are available for inspection upon request. The failure occurred while the vehicle was in motion on the road, creating a distraction and an unexpected open aperture in the roof at highway speed. An uncontrolled/stuck-open sunroof exposes the cabin to wind, debris, weather, and noise, and could distract the driver attempting to address the malfunction while driving. There is also risk of glass or track hardware detaching from the vehicle. A Kia dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed the track is broken and quoted approximately $5,000+ to replace the sunroof assembly, citing no applicable warranty coverage. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the fail I have found other consumer complaints/forum reports describing similar sudden sunroof track failures on this make/model during normal operation, suggesting this may be a widespread component defect rather than an isolated incident or wear item. Despite this, the manufacturer has not issued a recall or extended warranty coverage for this failure mode, leaving owners to pay approximately $5,000 out of pocket for a repair caused by what appears to be a manufacturing or design defect rather than m
Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2026GA
After reading multiple forums, I've learned there's a known issue with the 2020 Tellurides burning excessive oil. We had noticed this before, but this time was worse. My wife drove the car to pick up my nephew from the airport without any problems, such as warning lights or engine noise. However, our kids later took the car to go to the store, and on the way, all of the warning lights lit up on the display, and the car shut off on the highway. When I checked the car, I found the oil level was completely gone from the dipstick, so I added about 2.5 quarts of oil. I reported this to the Kia dealership and customer service. The vehicle had just slightly exceeded the 100,000-mile warranty (109,805 miles). The service interval was set for 3400 miles, with 725 miles and 90 days remaining. The engine was dry because of the excessive oil consumption known to Kia. The diagnostic from the dealership indicated an oil pump failure, but they did not have information about the oil addition since it wasn't relayed to them by the phone staff. There were no warning lights or engine noise indicating a low oil level before the incident. Apparently, Kia repeatedly dismisses this known issue and blames the owners. The interval of 3400 miles with 725 miles remaining far exceeds the manufacturer's recommended 6000-7000 miles for regular oil changes.
Structure1 injured
Filed Jul 2, 202630,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that four door belt molding trim pieces had become loose and unsecured, but the front driver’s side door belt molding trim piece had become unsecured and detached from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while touching the unsecured molding, the arm became bruised and scratched. No medical treatment was required. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V494000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 1, 2026NC
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
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jun 30, 2026100,000 milesMO
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.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 27, 2026AL
Oil burns too fast causing oil changes to be required by every 3000 miles
Complaints 1-50 of 777, newest first, reproduced as filed.
Going by the federal record, it is one of the Telluride years to avoid: owners filed 777 complaints, 2.4 times as many as a typical Telluride year. The most common complaint is about the headlights (22%). In NHTSA crash tests it scored 5 stars overall.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Kia Telluride?
The headlights: 172 of the 777 complaints (22%) are about it. Owners most often say it sets off warning lights on the dash (8%). The typical report comes at 11,800 miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Telluride have?
7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Jul 2, 2026. 3 of them carry a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. The largest, 26V430000, covered 462,869 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
At what mileage do 2020 Kia Telluride problems start?
Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 6,000 miles. For the headlights the midpoint is 11,800 miles.
Has NHTSA investigated the 2020 Kia Telluride?
Yes, once. PE23002 ("Complete Loss of High Beams") was opened Jan 27, 2023 and closed Apr 17, 2024.
Are there service bulletins for the 2020 Kia Telluride?
The manufacturer filed 152 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the electrical system (45), the engine (19) and the transmission (15). They include a warranty extension, WTY049_OWNR, filed Sep 25, 2026. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.
Reading this record
1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 2, 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.