IllustrationI HAD JUST PURCHASED MY 2020 KIA TELLURIDE FROM THE DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING HOME I HEARD A LOUD SOUND THAT STARTLED ME AND MADE ME JUMP. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED LESS THAN AN HOUR INTO OWNING THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHICH ON A CITY STREET.
2020 Kia Telluride
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Telluride years
Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Telluride are substantially higher than the model-year median of 215.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Telluride years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1480–25K
1525–50K
1150–75K
1275–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
194 reports with mileage · 564 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 183 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 135 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
Visibility/wiper complaints
135 reportsMY NEW KIA HAS A COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED/CRACKED WINDSHIELD WITH NO ROCK CHIP, JUST A SPONTANEOUS FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITH NO TRAFFIC NEARBY
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED VERY EASILY FROM A SMALL OBJECT THAT CAME UP FROM THE ROADWAY, WHEN A LARGE TRUCK PASSED US. THE CAR HAD ONLY 1100 MILES AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND ON THE HIGHWAY.
TINY PEBBLE HIT WINDSHIELD WHEN I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON ON RAMP. CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD.
DRIVING DOWN THE 35 MPH PART OF HWY 130 YESTERDAY, A LONE CAR PASSED GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION. I HEARD A SMALL "SMACK" OF A SMALL ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIED. I LOOKED AT IT 3 MINUTES LATER, AND IT WAS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DIME. I RESUMED DRIVING AND ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. CAME OUT 1 HOUR LATER, AND THE CRACK HAD SPREAD BY…
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DRIVING DOWN THE 35 MPH PART OF HWY 130 YESTERDAY, A LONE CAR PASSED GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION. I HEARD A SMALL "SMACK" OF A SMALL ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIED. I LOOKED AT IT 3 MINUTES LATER, AND IT WAS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DIME. I RESUMED DRIVING AND ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. CAME OUT 1 HOUR LATER, AND THE CRACK HAD SPREAD BY 4-5 INCHES. TEMPERATURE WAS 65 DEGREES. THIS WINDSHIELD SEEMS EXTREMELY FRAGILE. NOW I'VE CALLED TO GET A REPLACEMENT - THEY ARE ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH DEALERS AND COST $750. WILL THE NEW ONES BE MORE DURABLE?
WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AT ONLY 250 MILES. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD TOOK 6 WEEKS. GLASS SEEMS TO BE THIN OR MORE PRONE TO DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A TWO-LANE ROAD AND WAS HIT BY SOME SORT OF DEBRIS FROM A VEHICLE GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. DID NOT SEE THE DEBRIS BEFORE IT STRUCK T…
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WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AT ONLY 250 MILES. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD TOOK 6 WEEKS. GLASS SEEMS TO BE THIN OR MORE PRONE TO DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A TWO-LANE ROAD AND WAS HIT BY SOME SORT OF DEBRIS FROM A VEHICLE GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. DID NOT SEE THE DEBRIS BEFORE IT STRUCK THE WINDOW.
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED IN TWO SEPARATE PLACES. MULTIPLE DINGS AND CHIPS FROM SMALL ROAD DEBRIS.
I HAD A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD FROM ROAD GRADING. IT WAS A NORMAL CHIP, NOT UNLIKE ANY THAT I HAVE HAD ON OTHER VEHICLES. I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT FILLED TO PREVENT SPREADING. LEAVING WORK THE NEXT DAY, THE WINDSHIELD HAD ACTUALLY CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND TO THE LEFT, IN AN L SHAPE. …
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I HAD A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD FROM ROAD GRADING. IT WAS A NORMAL CHIP, NOT UNLIKE ANY THAT I HAVE HAD ON OTHER VEHICLES. I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY TO HAVE IT FILLED TO PREVENT SPREADING. LEAVING WORK THE NEXT DAY, THE WINDSHIELD HAD ACTUALLY CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND TO THE LEFT, IN AN L SHAPE. SO, MY CHIP REPAIR BECAME A FULL WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NOW BEEN WAITING 3+ WEEKS FOR A REPLACEMENT AS THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE. MY AUTO GLASS PLACE HAS HAD ONE ON ORDER FROM OVERSEAS SINCE THAT NEXT DAY. SO, 4-6 WEEKS TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD THAT TRULY SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN AS THE CHIP WAS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER CHIP WE GET IN VEHICLES. I ACTUALLY TRIED TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT DONE BY MY KIA DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WERE NONE AVAILABLE IN THE US AND GOOD LUCK FINDING ONE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP. WHEN I CALLED TODAY TO INQUIRE ABOUT HAVING THE CAMERAS RE CALIBRATED POST THE REPLACEMENT, I WAS TOLD THAT IF A NON-KIA APPROVED WINDSHIELD IS PUT IN, I WOULD VOID MY WARRANTY. SO, BEYOND WAITING WEEKS ON END TO HAVE A BROKEN WINDSHIELD REPLACED, BEING TOLD 'GOOD LUCK' FINDING ONE AND TOO BAD, THEY CAN'T HELP ME, I AM NOW BEING TOLD I "MAY" HAVE MY WARRANTY VOIDED HAVING IT REPLACED ELSEWHERE, EVEN THOUGH THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST.
SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD FROM A PASSING CAR ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSED A CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD, WHEN SAFELITE TRIED TO REPAIR IT, IT CRACK. SERVICE TECH SAID THAT IT IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ON A SMALL CHIP LIKE THIS ONE.
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE UNDER 2000 MILES, THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD HAS RECEIVED THREE CHIPS AND SEEMS TO BE WEAK (THIN) GLASS. I'M AFRAID IF STRUCK WHILE DRIVING WITH AN OBJECT OTHER THAN A SMALL PEBBLE IT'LL FAIL AND PLACE MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER. THE WIPER SPRAYER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHEN DRIVING FAILS TO SPRA…
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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE UNDER 2000 MILES, THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD HAS RECEIVED THREE CHIPS AND SEEMS TO BE WEAK (THIN) GLASS. I'M AFRAID IF STRUCK WHILE DRIVING WITH AN OBJECT OTHER THAN A SMALL PEBBLE IT'LL FAIL AND PLACE MY FAMILIES LIFE IN DANGER. THE WIPER SPRAYER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHEN DRIVING FAILS TO SPRAY OVER THE DRIVERS VIEW. IT POOLS AT THE LOWER PART OF THE WIPER BLADE AND LOWER LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDOW AT ROAD AND HWY SPEEDS. THIS CAUSES EXCESS AMOUNTS OF FLUID TO BE SPRAYED IN ORDER TO CLEAN THE WINDOW. THE CHIPS ON THE WINDOW ARE SMALL AND TWO ARE IN THE DRIVERS VIEW. I'VE HAD THE SPRAY TIP REPLACED AT THE DEALER BUT IT CONTINUES THE SAME PATTERN.
Official recalls
726V430000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Jul 2, 2026
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
24V407000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Jun 5, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
24V214000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Mar 20, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
24V148000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Feb 26, 2024
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
22V626000 · Trailer Hitches
Aug 15, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
20V436000 · Electrical System:wiring; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Jul 28, 2020
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
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."
Consequence: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
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."
Consequence: 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.
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."
Consequence: 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.
19V594000 · Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:rear/other
Aug 13, 2019
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
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."
Consequence: 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.
Seat Belts:front
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."
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE23002 · Complete Loss Of High Beams
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Apr 17, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
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 no longer be able to move the shutter to the open position to reveal the high beams. A loss of high beams, prevents the driver from having proper distance illumination, therefore increasing the risk of a crash. On February 24, 2024, Kia filed recall 24V-148 for certain MY 2020 Kia Tellurides. The recall remedy provides an inspection of the high beam shield gear mechanism and will either apply a clip to secure the shield gear to the shaft or replace the headlamp assembly with one that is resistant to heat damagefrom the halogen bulb. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.