The 2020 Kia Telluride has 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 777 complaints with NHTSA, including 8 crashes, 9 fires, 11 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Exterior Lighting (185 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2020 Kia Telluride recalls
Front Power Seat Motor Can Overheat and Cause a Fire
Certain 2020-2024 Kia Telluride vehicles have a front power seat motor that may overheat.
Front seat motor can overheat and cause a fire
Certain 2020-2024 Kia Telluride vehicles may have a front power seat motor that can overheat because the power seat slide knob can become stuck.
Vehicle May Roll Away While in Park
Certain Kia Telluride vehicles may have an intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft that are not fully engaged.
High Beam Headlights May Fail, Reducing Night Visibility
Some 2020 Kia Telluride vehicles may have high beam headlights that fail to operate.
Tow Hitch Wiring Can Short and Cause a Fire
Moisture and debris can collect on the circuit board inside the tow hitch wiring harness module, which may cause an electrical short.
Trailer brake lights may stay dark during auto braking
On certain vehicles with Smart Cruise Control, the trailer brake lights may not turn on when the system applies the brakes while a trailer is connected.
Seat belts may not secure child seats in a crash
Certain 2020 Telluride vehicles have seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats that may not tightly secure a child restraint system during a crash.
Most common 2020 Kia Telluride problems
Problem areas named in the 777 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 185 |
| Engine | 153 |
| Unknown Or Other | 146 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 136 |
| Power Train | 70 |
| Electrical System | 61 |
| Structure | 56 |
| Suspension | 33 |
| Visibility | 18 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 18 |
What owners report
Batter drainage issue. Have paid for a new battery and I just bought the car 09/14/2026
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2020 Kia Telluride SX with approximately 129,000 miles. The vehicle began experiencing delayed starting followed by a very strong gasoline odor. I also heard a hissing sound that continued after the engine was turned off. Due to safety concerns, I had the vehicle towed to a repair facility rather than continuing to drive it. The repair shop subsequently confirmed a significant fuel leak with gasoline spraying and pooling underneath the vehicle, reportedly extending from the front toward the rear. I am extremely concerned about the potential fire hazard this condition presents especially because I had been operating the vehicle before d
1. Incident & Vehicle Identification â¢Vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride â¢Owner Name: [XXX] â¢Contact Phone: [XXX] â¢Kia Customer Care Case Number: XXX â¢NHTSA Safety Recall Number: 26V430 2. Description of Safety Hazard & Manufacturer Reimbursement Refusal Plaintext COMPLAINT REGARDING MANUFACTURER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH 49 CFR § 573.13 (REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRE-NOTIFICATION REMEDIES) STATEMENT OF FACT & CHRONOLOGY: 1. In XXX, my 2020 Kia Telluride experienced a dangerous, uncommanded driver's power seat failure. The seat drifted to the full-forward position without user input and the switch/assembly became stuck, preventing adjustment. 2. I took the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership to
hi- I bought a used Kia Telluride (2020) and after 2 months it stalled out and after 2 different mechanics and a Kia dealership telling me it was fixed- it was not. The car basically had no oil left with zero light or warning. after doing some research, there are tons of people complaining of the same issue. the engine is essentially ruined and needs to be replaced and Kia is not addressing this as an issue. my care has stalled out 3 times with my children in it at dangerous intersections. Kia is not taking responsibility of this- having to check oil every 3 days is not normal but Kia thinks it is I guess. The blue smoke coming from my exhaust is a serious problem. A local news station just
I have this 2020 telluride and itâs consuming a lot of oil I have to add a quart of oil every 600 miles. I was wondering if there is any open recalls for this.
2020 Kia Telluride safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (14.3% rollover risk) |
| 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (15.5% rollover risk) |
2020 Kia Telluride questions
Does the 2020 Kia Telluride have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2020 Kia Telluride: Front Power Seat Motor Can Overheat and Cause a Fire; Front seat motor can overheat and cause a fire; Vehicle May Roll Away While in Park; High Beam Headlights May Fail, Reducing Night Visibility; Tow Hitch Wiring Can Short and Cause a Fire. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Telluride?
Based on 777 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Exterior Lighting (185), Engine (153), Unknown Or Other (146).
How safe is the 2020 Kia Telluride?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2020 Kia Telluride up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2020 Kia Telluride has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.