Owners have reported 8 crashes, 7 fires, 10 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2020 KIA Telluride. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints170
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride frequently report issues with high beam headlights failing to operate, despite replacing bulbs, relays, and fuses. Many describe a malfunction related to the mechanical "curtain" inside the headlight assembly, leading to complete loss of high beam functionality. Complaints often arise around 60,000 to 75,000 miles, with some owners noting expensive headlight assembly replacements as the only solution. Safety concerns are highlighted by a crash involving limited vision due to faulty lighting. Additionally, multiple reports mention delays in recall repairs due to part availability, which may be relevant for potential buyers considering repair timelines.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints121
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride frequently report issues with windshield cracking, often describing that small chips from minor impacts rapidly develop into extensive cracks. These complaints typically do not involve any significant collision, and some owners note the glass appears thin or defective. Additionally, several complaints highlight problems with the windshield wiper system, where snow accumulation under the hood obstructs the wiper linkage, leading to failure during inclement weather. Sunroof malfunctions are also mentioned, with owners experiencing breakage or dislodgment of the sunroof components. These visibility issues pose potential safety risks, particularly as they can lead to compromised driver visibility. The problems are reported across various mileage ranges, with some incidents occurring within the first few years of ownership.
Owner complaints95
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride frequently report issues with the paint, particularly in Snow White Pearl vehicles, where peeling and chipping are common as early as a few years into ownership. Additionally, sunroof malfunctions are prevalent, with complaints often describing broken mechanisms that prevent closure, sometimes after minimal use. Problems with excessive oil consumption are also noted, with some owners experiencing significant oil loss without dashboard warnings. Safety concerns include reports of fires and sunroof shattering incidents while driving, with a few complaints involving injuries. These issues typically arise around or beyond 60,000 miles, which may impact warranty coverage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints74
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2020 Kia Telluride frequently experiences excessive oil consumption, with some vehicles burning over a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. Common symptoms include a lack of oil warning lights, engine knocking, and eventual engine failure due to running dry. These issues typically emerge around 65,000 to 118,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with reports of engine stalling and loss of power steering and braking, potentially leading to dangerous situations. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring engine concerns, especially in vehicles with higher mileage.
Owner complaints50
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride frequently report issues with excessive oil consumption and torque converter problems. Symptoms commonly described include engine misfires, check engine lights with specific codes (e.g., P0300, P0741), and transmission slipping or hesitation, often noted around 100,000 miles. Multiple complaints highlight safety implications, including a crash resulting in a fatality and incidents of engine stalling or power loss. Buyers should be aware of these recurring problems and the potential for significant repair costs, even under warranty coverage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints41
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical issues with the 2020 Kia Telluride, with common problems including non-starting vehicles often accompanied by a "Check ESC" warning and repeated clicking sounds. Complaints frequently mention erratic infotainment systems, such as screens turning green, which impacts backup camera functionality. Multiple owners describe issues with power windows rolling down unexpectedly and power folding mirrors getting stuck. Some complaints involve significant safety implications, including fires and a crash, with a few incidents involving engine stalling and loss of power while driving. These issues often arise in vehicles with mileage under 75,000 miles, and some owners note difficulty in obtaining timely repairs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 3 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report multiple issues with the braking system of the 2020 Kia Telluride, with a notable pattern of spongy brakes that often require pumping to function effectively. Complaints frequently mention brake pedals extending to the floorboard and unresponsive braking, sometimes accompanied by illuminated ABS warning lights. These issues appear across a range of mileages, with some occurring as early as 37,950 miles. A crash is reported due to brake failure, highlighting a significant safety concern. Additionally, several owners describe uneven brake pad wear, particularly in the rear, suggesting potential complications with the parking brake or brake sensor failures.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride frequently report issues related to steering, often accompanied by electrical system malfunctions. Multiple complaints describe scenarios where the steering becomes extremely difficult or locks up entirely, sometimes coinciding with dashboard warning lights and failures in displaying speed or turn signals. These issues tend to appear at various mileage points, with one owner noting problems starting around 60,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted by reports of compromised steering and braking, as well as a case involving injury due to a malfunctioning rear seat. Buyers should be aware of these potential steering and electrical issues, which can severely impact vehicle control and safety.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report issues with the 2020 Kia Telluride's vehicle speed control, particularly involving unintended acceleration and loss of responsiveness from the accelerator. Complaints frequently mention instances where the vehicle either accelerates unexpectedly, such as while using adaptive cruise control, or becomes unresponsive, with the engine running but the accelerator failing to engage. Two incidents resulted in crashes, one of which involved an injury, and occurred at approximately 28,000 miles and with unknown mileage. These issues present notable safety concerns, including loss of control and collision risks, which potential buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride report issues with air bag functionality, particularly in scenarios involving vehicle crashes. One complaint describes a crash at approximately 60 mph where the air bags failed to deploy, resulting in an injury. The tow driver noted that the airbag sensor was not connected. Another report involves a crash where air bags were removed for repairs, but replacements were unavailable. These complaints highlight potential safety implications, especially during high-impact collisions. Buyers considering a used Telluride should be aware of these reports and may want to investigate the air bag system's condition and history.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
