2020 Kia Telluride problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2020 Kia Telluride include 1 fatality report, 8 crashes and 9 fires across 748 filings.

748
Complaints
7
Recalls
8
Crash reports
9
Fire reports
11
Injuries
32.4
Severity index

Severity index 32.4 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 32.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 94 of 103 by severity index among 2020 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 9% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2020 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 183 complaints (24.5%)183 24%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 140 complaints (18.7%)140 19%EngineEngine: 138 complaints (18.4%)138 18%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 135 complaints (18.0%)135 18%Power TrainPower Train: 70 complaints (9.4%)70 9%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 57 complaints (7.6%)57 8%StructureStructure: 52 complaints (7.0%)52 7%SuspensionSuspension: 31 complaints (4.1%)31 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
EXTERIOR LIGHTING18324.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER14018.7%
ENGINE13818.4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER13518.0%
POWER TRAIN709.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM577.6%
STRUCTURE527.0%
SUSPENSION314.1%

Complaints filed per year

0801602019: 732020: 712021: 522022: 502023: 1512024: 1222025: 1262026: 103 (partial year)1920212223151242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201973
202071
202152
202250
2023151
2024122
2025126
2026 (year to date)103
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.3x those in 2020 to 2022 (399 against 173).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V59400013/08/2019SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHERKia 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 requir
20V43600028/07/2020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGKia 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
22V62600015/08/2022TRAILER HITCHESKia 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 har
24V14800026/02/2024EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
24V21400020/03/2024POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTKia 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.
24V40700005/06/2024SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUSTKia 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.
26V43000002/07/2026SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUSTKia 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.

Other Kia Telluride model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 7 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.