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
11,600 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Visibility/wiper
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?
NHTSA ODI #11268688
1,000 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THE KIA HAS A SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS CRUISE CONTROL IN A SPECIAL WAY. THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS YOU TO PLACE THE CAR IT THIS MODE AND WHAT IT DOES BEYOND CRUISE CONTROL LANE CHANGE CONTROL. IT DETECTS THE HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT SIGNS EXAMPLE: I DRIVE FROM PRESCOTT AZ TO PHOENIX PERIODICALLY. THE SPEED LIMIT ON I -17 IS …
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THE KIA HAS A SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS CRUISE CONTROL IN A SPECIAL WAY. THIS SYSTEM ALLOWS YOU TO PLACE THE CAR IT THIS MODE AND WHAT IT DOES BEYOND CRUISE CONTROL LANE CHANGE CONTROL. IT DETECTS THE HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT SIGNS EXAMPLE: I DRIVE FROM PRESCOTT AZ TO PHOENIX PERIODICALLY. THE SPEED LIMIT ON I -17 IS 75 MPH FOR MOST THE TRIP HEADING SOUTH ON I17 IT IS 75 MPH AT SUNSET POINT THE SPEED CHANGES FROM 75 MPH TO 65 MPH. THE CAR CHANGES SPEED TO 65 MPH. IT CHANGES BACK TO 75 MPH LATER EXCITING TIMES PASSING THROUGH ROCK SPRINGS. I AM DOING AT 75 MPH ( NO ONE IS IN FRONT OF ME THEY ARE IN BACK AND ONE TO THE LEFT SIDE. ). THE CAR SPEED DROPS TO 45 MPH. THE FREEWAY SPEED IS 75 MPH. HOWEVER, THE SIDE ROAD IN ROCK SPRINGS IS 45 MPH. SO NOW I HAVE 4 CARS TRYING TO AVOID ME BECAUSE I SUDDENLY GOING 45 MPH IN A 75 MPH ZONE. APPROACHING ANTHEM - THE CAR SUDDENLY DROPS TO 35 MPH IN A 75 MPH ZONE. NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. BUT THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE SIDE ROAD NEXT TO THE FREEWAY IS 35 MPH. NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE CARS AROUND ME HONKING AND AVOIDING ME - BECAUSE I AM DRIVING 35 MPH IN A 75 MPH FREEWAY SPEED ZONE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE DEALER JUST SAYS IT IS AN OPTION.
NHTSA ODI #11268425
250 miles · Oct 14, 2019
Visibility/wiper
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.
NHTSA ODI #11268311
4,800 miles · Oct 13, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED IN TWO SEPARATE PLACES. MULTIPLE DINGS AND CHIPS FROM SMALL ROAD DEBRIS.
NHTSA ODI #11268224
7 miles · Oct 13, 2019
Structure
CONSTANT WIND NOISE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, NOT NORMAL WIND SOUND CAUSED BY CAR. BROUGHT IN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, STILL UNRESOLVED. DEALER MECHANIC TEST DROVE VEHICLE WITH ME INSIDE. MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE EXISTS. THIS IS BRAND NEW CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11268186
7,000 miles · Oct 12, 2019
Visibility/wiper
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.
NHTSA ODI #11268066
5,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Visibility/wiper
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.
NHTSA ODI #11267987
1,750 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Visibility/wiper
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.
NHTSA ODI #11267956
8,780 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Visibility/wiper
WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS STRUCK BY A SMALL PEBBLE. THE WINDSHIELD SHOWED A DIME SIZE CRACK WITH SEVERAL SPIDER CRACKS NO LONGER THAN QUARTER OF AN INCH. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ALL NIGHT THE FOLLOWING DAY ONE OF THE SPIDER CRACKS HAD GROWN TO ABOUT 3 INCH…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE TOP RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS STRUCK BY A SMALL PEBBLE. THE WINDSHIELD SHOWED A DIME SIZE CRACK WITH SEVERAL SPIDER CRACKS NO LONGER THAN QUARTER OF AN INCH. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE ALL NIGHT THE FOLLOWING DAY ONE OF THE SPIDER CRACKS HAD GROWN TO ABOUT 3 INCHES.
NHTSA ODI #11267926
7,867 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Unknown Or Other
A/C NOT BLOWING COLD. PERFORMED SYSTEM EVAC AND RECHARGED SYSTEM. STILL HAS ISSUE. SET CHARGE TO PROPER LEVEL AND SPOKE WITH TECHLINE. REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR AND CHARGED. 17 DAYS IN THE SHOP.
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.
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