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
What owners actually said
758 reports
1,500 miles · Jun 30, 2020
Visibility/wiper
I HAVE HAD MY KIA TELLURIDE EX 2020 FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS. ON MONTH 3 ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON RIGHT LOWER SIDE AND CRACKS STARTED TO QUICKLY EXPAND NEEDING TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD THROUGH INSURANCE AND PAID 500$ DEDUCTIBLE. I NEVER ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AT THAT TIME. AGAIN JUST A FEW DAYS AGO IN MONTH…
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I HAVE HAD MY KIA TELLURIDE EX 2020 FOR THE PAST 4 MONTHS. ON MONTH 3 ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON RIGHT LOWER SIDE AND CRACKS STARTED TO QUICKLY EXPAND NEEDING TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD THROUGH INSURANCE AND PAID 500$ DEDUCTIBLE. I NEVER ANYTHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AT THAT TIME. AGAIN JUST A FEW DAYS AGO IN MONTH 4 OF OWNERSHIP WINDSHIELD GLASS HAS CHIPPED FROM TWO PLACES. I NEVER SAW OR HEARD ANYTHING HITTING THE GLASS WHILE DRIVING AND I AM THE ONLY DRIVER.
NHTSA ODI #11331695
15,000 miles · Jun 27, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury
A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND HIT THE SIDE OF MY TELLURIDE. IT SPUN ME AROUND AND I HIT THE SIDE OF A BRIDGE HEAD ON. NOT ONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I. THIS CRASH WHICH IS VERY TROUBLING TO ME. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES. THE TOW DRIVER SAID THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS NOT CONNE…
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A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND HIT THE SIDE OF MY TELLURIDE. IT SPUN ME AROUND AND I HIT THE SIDE OF A BRIDGE HEAD ON. NOT ONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I. THIS CRASH WHICH IS VERY TROUBLING TO ME. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES. THE TOW DRIVER SAID THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS NOT CONNECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11331228
4,400 miles · Jun 26, 2020
Visibility/wiper
VEHICLES WINDSHIELD HAS MULTIPLE CHIPS AND CRACKS. WINDSHIELD WAS HIT WITH SMALL ROCK LEAVING LARGE BUBBLE AND CRACKS IN THE GLASS. A WEEK LATER A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD LEAKING A SMALL CHIP. A MONTH AFTER THAT IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITH EVEN A SMALLER ROCK. ALL DAMAGE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN TOWN GOING UNDER 50 …
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VEHICLES WINDSHIELD HAS MULTIPLE CHIPS AND CRACKS. WINDSHIELD WAS HIT WITH SMALL ROCK LEAVING LARGE BUBBLE AND CRACKS IN THE GLASS. A WEEK LATER A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD LEAKING A SMALL CHIP. A MONTH AFTER THAT IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITH EVEN A SMALLER ROCK. ALL DAMAGE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN TOWN GOING UNDER 50 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11331093
12,000 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM CHIP THAT I HEARD HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY 3/6/2020. THIS WINDOW IS AN OEM REPLACEMENT WINDOW FROM KIA. THE FIRST WINDSHIELD HAD THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN IN JULY 2019 WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF PURCHASING THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330351
1,800 miles · Jun 19, 2020
Visibility/wiper
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A FAIRLY QUITE NOISE, LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A QUARTER SIZE, BULLSEYE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WHICH QUICKLY GREW TO A 3 FEET AND GROWING CRACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329723
4,500 miles · Jun 15, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY IN LATE FEBRUARY, A SMALL ROCK HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER WINDSHIELD. IMMEDIATELY, I SAW A BULLS-EYE APPEAR FOLLOWED BY A LINE CRACK. AFTER DRIVING A MILE OR SO I SAW THE CRACK QUICKLY EXPAND. OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS IT GOT WORSE. I FILLED A CLAIM AND GOT IT REPLACED WITH AN OEM WINDSHIELD…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY IN LATE FEBRUARY, A SMALL ROCK HIT THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER WINDSHIELD. IMMEDIATELY, I SAW A BULLS-EYE APPEAR FOLLOWED BY A LINE CRACK. AFTER DRIVING A MILE OR SO I SAW THE CRACK QUICKLY EXPAND. OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW DAYS IT GOT WORSE. I FILLED A CLAIM AND GOT IT REPLACED WITH AN OEM WINDSHIELD. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CAR WASH AND NOW THE WINDSHIELD HAS FINE SCRATCHES ALL OVER IT BUT NOT THE REST OF THE CAR. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY AMISS HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329079
5,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Exterior Lighting
CONCERN REGARDING THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER TOW PACKAGE, SPECIFICALLY THE LIGHTS CONTROLLED BY THE 4-PIN FACTORY SUPPLIED CONNECTION. THE TRAILER LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAIN BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE TELLURIDE - SPECIFICALLY WHEN USING 'AUTO HOLD'. THE DISCUSSION IS NOT IF 'AUTO HOLD' SHOULD NOT BE USE…
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CONCERN REGARDING THE FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER TOW PACKAGE, SPECIFICALLY THE LIGHTS CONTROLLED BY THE 4-PIN FACTORY SUPPLIED CONNECTION. THE TRAILER LIGHTS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MAIN BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE TELLURIDE - SPECIFICALLY WHEN USING 'AUTO HOLD'. THE DISCUSSION IS NOT IF 'AUTO HOLD' SHOULD NOT BE USED WITH A TRAILER. IT'S POSSIBLE TO USE 'AUTO HOLD' WHEN TOWING, SO IT WILL BE. THE CONCERN IS IF THE TRAILER, OR LOAD, BLOCKS THE VIEW OF THE MAIN BRAKE LIGHTS OF THE VEHICLE - THE TRAILER WILL DISPLAY NO BRAKE LIGHTS IF THE DRIVER REMOVES THEIR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE STOPPED AND HELD WITH 'AUTO HOLD'. THIS CREATES A POTENTIALLY, SERIOUSLY UNSAFE CONDITION. WHILE IN 'AUTO HOLD', THE MAIN BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAY THE SAME WHETHER OR NOT THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, ANY LIGHTS CONNECTED TO THE 4-PIN FACTORY CONNECTOR FOR TRAILER LIGHTS ONLY FUNCTION WHEN THE DRIVER HAS THEIR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ANY LIGHTS CONNECTED TO THE 4-PIN FACTORY CONNECTOR SHOULD ALWAYS FUNCTION THE SAME AS THE MAIN BRAKES LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE. FIRST NOTICED WHEN AN AUXILIARY HITCH LIGHT WAS CONNECTED TO THE 4-PIN FACTORY CONNECTION, AND VERIFIED LATER DURING THE FIRST TOW WITH A TRAILER CONNECTED TO THE 4-PIN CONNECTOR.*DT CONSUMER STATED AH, SCC, HDA, AND FCA ALL SYSTEMS INCLUDED IN APPLY THE BRAKES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11327716
4,300 miles · May 30, 2020
Visibility/wiper
MY 2020 KIA TELLURIDE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED. IT'S ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT'S A LONG CRACK THAT START AT THE A-PILLAR AND TRAVELS ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE I SAW THE CRACK. I NEVER SAW OR HEARD ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD THIS TIME. ALSO MY WIFE AND MY SUN NEVER SAW OR HEARD A…
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MY 2020 KIA TELLURIDE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED. IT'S ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT'S A LONG CRACK THAT START AT THE A-PILLAR AND TRAVELS ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE I SAW THE CRACK. I NEVER SAW OR HEARD ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD THIS TIME. ALSO MY WIFE AND MY SUN NEVER SAW OR HEARD ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD THIS TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326584
15,000 miles · May 29, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD IS VERY FRAGILE AND CHIPS VERY EASILY, A VERY MILD HIT BY GRAVEL OR PEBBLE CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326554
6,700 miles · May 29, 2020
Visibility/wiper
WE PURCHASED THE NEW TELLURIDE IN DECEMBER, 2019. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND THE CRACK RAN ACROSS HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. KIA DID REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT A CHARGE. THIS WAS ONE IN FEBRUARY 2020. OUR NEW WINDSHIELD NOW AND A BIG CHIP IN IT, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A PENCIL ERASER. THERE IS LESS THAN 7000 MILES ON IT. THERE MUST …
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WE PURCHASED THE NEW TELLURIDE IN DECEMBER, 2019. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND THE CRACK RAN ACROSS HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. KIA DID REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT A CHARGE. THIS WAS ONE IN FEBRUARY 2020. OUR NEW WINDSHIELD NOW AND A BIG CHIP IN IT, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A PENCIL ERASER. THERE IS LESS THAN 7000 MILES ON IT. THERE MUST BE A DEFECT OR QUALITY ISSUE IN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS THEY ARE USING. WE ARE IN OUR LATE 60'S. NO OFF READING OR RISKY DRIVING. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE NEW CHIP HAPPENED. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1
PE23002 · 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.
2020 Kia Telluride Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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