NHTSA (USA)Park Outside
At a glance
This page covers 13 recalls, 704 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Kia Telluride.
21–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2020 Kia Telluride cluster heavily around exterior lighting and visibility systems, with engine issues making up a meaningful third category. Exterior lighting draws the highest complaint volume, with owners frequently describing failures in parking sensors and their wiring harnesses, corrosion in the harness is a specific pattern several owners describe, leading to sensor errors and replacement. Visibility and wiper complaints are the second-largest group, pointing to recurring issues with driver sightlines and wiper performance. On the engine side, owners report oil consumption at a rate that drops the level well below minimum between normal service intervals, sometimes accompanied by knocking sounds. A smaller number of owners describe sudden engine stalls followed by complete engine failure requiring full replacement. The infotainment system also draws scattered reports of the radio cutting out, freezing, or producing unusual sounds, with some owners noting the issue also disrupts cruise control functions.
704
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Kia Telluride has 13 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks: a trailer wiring harness and stuck front power seat motors can each overheat and ignite, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
The trailer wiring harness issue involves moisture and debris reaching the circuit board and causing an electrical short. The power seat concern has its own history: a seat adjustment knob can stick and keep the motor running until it overheats, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem for all vehicles, so a follow-up recall was issued. Both fire risks exist whether the vehicle is in use or sitting unoccupied.
On the drivetrain side, two separate issues can cause the vehicle to roll away while in park. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, allowing the vehicle to move despite the transmission being set to park. Separately, axle shaft splines can wear down, producing the same rollaway risk when the parking brake is not applied.
Seatbelt and child restraint concerns affect multiple seating positions. The front passenger, second-row, and third-row seat belts may not hold a child safety seat tightly in a crash, and a Canadian-market filing identifies a related issue where certain seat belt retractors do not lock in the way required to secure a forward-facing child seat.
Two recalls address trailer brake lights failing to activate when the Smart Cruise Control slows the vehicle, leaving drivers behind without a visual warning that the Telluride is decelerating. High beam headlights on certain vehicles
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The front power seat motor can overheat if the power seat slide knob gets stuck or if a prior recall repair was done incorrectly, which may cause a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly at no cost to prevent the motor from overheating.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and/or passenger front power seat switch can become stuck, preventing the seat motor from stopping. This causes the motor to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch cover and replace the seat adjustment knob.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front power seat motor can overheat if the power seat slide knob gets stuck, potentially causing a fire while the vehicle is parked or driven.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The axle shaft may have manufacturing defects that damage its splines, potentially allowing the vehicle to move when parked without the parking brake engaged.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software to address the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not fully engage, allowing the vehicle to roll when parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace damaged intermediate shafts as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high beam headlights may fail, reducing visibility when needed.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the headlights and repair or replace them as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 4-pin trailer wiring harness kit (part number S9F67AC000) can develop a short circuit over time, causing the control module to overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the 30 A "TRAILER" fuse with a 15 A fuse as a temporary fix. A permanent repair is being developed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Debris and moisture can accumulate on the tow hitch harness circuit board, causing an electrical short that may result in fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new fuse and wiring harness extension, and inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When Smart Cruise Control automatically slows your vehicle while towing a trailer, the trailer's brake lights don't illuminate, even though your vehicle's brake lights work normally.
What the fix does
A dealer will install an additional wire harness to your main fuse box to enable trailer brake lights during Smart Cruise Control braking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When Smart Cruise Control brakes are applied on 2020 Telluride vehicles with a connected trailer, the trailer's brake lights don't turn on, violating federal lighting standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to properly signal the trailer brake lights.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles have seat belts that don't meet Canadian safety rules. The front passenger, second, and third row seat belts may lack the automatic-locking feature required by law.
What the fix does
Kia will mail you instructions to visit a dealer. They'll inspect your seat belts and replace any incorrect ones with proper ones.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and third row seats may not hold a child restraint system securely during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies and replace the driver's seat belt with a U.S. specification belt at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The compliance label on some vehicles shows incorrect rim size and tire pressure unit information, not meeting Canadian labeling requirements.
What the fix does
No recall action needed. The manufacturer has corrected this label on all newly produced vehicles.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
