Complaint volume
709 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2020 Kia Telluride Complaints
709 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Kia Telluride, grouped by component category.
709 Total complaints
8 Crash reports
7 Fire reports
7 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are exterior lighting, visibility/wiper, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 8 crash reports, 7 fire reports, 7 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 188 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 18,754 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to exterior lighting, visibility/wiper, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2020 Kia Telluride?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2020 Kia Telluride
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Kia Telluride complaints?
8 Crash
7 Fire
7 Injury
1 Fatality
7 Towed
6 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Kia Telluride complaint categories?
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 162
VISIBILITY/WIPER 121
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 86
ENGINE 80
STRUCTURE 34
POWER TRAIN 31
SUSPENSION 19
VISIBILITY 12
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9
709 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2022 | ENGINE | The 2020 Kia Telluride has a major, yet well-known design flaw regarding the heater block/heater core causing the blowing heat to drop when the car is at idle or moving at low RPMs. As someone living in Minnesota, it's absolutely absurd that a car can be considered "operating as designed" when the car literally has no heat during traffic or at idle - this has the potential to cause occupants serious injury or even death while waiting for assistance in the event of a flat tire or spinout during cold months. We noticed the issue in December 2021 but the dealer was so backed up with Kias that it couldn't get in for service until February 1st. The car was taken to the dealer on 2/1, 2/15, and 2/25 - the thermostat was replaced but I was told at the last visit that there is nothing else that can be done. The tech at the dealer agreed with the problem but was told by the Kia Techline that everything was within the specifications of the design. How can Kia ethically (and knowingly) sell a vehicle that doesn't provide heat in a state that is regularly below zero (and even below freezing) for over half of the year? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | While operating the vehicle and braking, the dashboard warnings lights began flashing. The brake pedal went to the floor and did not brake the vehicle. No amount of pumping of the brakes helped. At about 3-5 MPH I struck the stopped vehicle in front of me at an intersection. Later that day the same thing happened, and this time I pulled the emergency brake lever and held it. The warning alarm sounded but the brakes never slowed or stopped the vehicle. I drove the vehicle safely to a repair shop and it was then towed to a Kia dealership. Where it is available for inspection. The error codes on the ECM indicate that the right rear ABS Speed Sensor has lost communication. I do not know if the component has been inspected by KIA. When the failure occurs the BCW light goes on, the ABS light goes on, the Master warning light goes on, the Electronic Stability Light goes on, and the AUTO HOLD lights amber. The dealership has reviewed the codes on the ECM which follows: ABS/ESC(+EPB) 2 Codes 1.C121102: Wheel Speed Sensor Rear-RH Invalid/no Signal 2.C121002: Wheel Speed Sensor Rear-RH Range / Performance / Intermittent Integrated Body Control Unit- BCM 1 Code 1.B121200: Front Center Right Sensor Fault Integrated Body Control Unit- SMK 1 Code 1.B121200: Front Center Right Sensor Fault Integrated Body Control Unit- TPMS 1 Code 1.B121200: Front Center Right Sensor Fault PSM (Power Seat Module) 1 Code 1.B163700: System Not Initialized BCW (Blind-Spot Collision Warning) 2 Codes 1.C169381: ESC Signal Error 2.C167581: Signal WHEEL FL or WHEEL FR or WHEEL RL or WHEEL RR not Valid MFC (Multi Function Camera) 1 Code 1.C186286: Invalid Signal of SCC SCC (Smart Cruise Control) 3 Codes 1.C121181: Wheel Speed Sensor Rear-RH Invalid/no Signal 2.C136081: ESP Irreversible Error 3.C174181: ESC-not available VSM (Check ESC) 4WD Control 1 Code 1.P183000: Clutch Torque Tolerance Lower Limit. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Low beam headlights cause oncoming traffic to swerve and to flash bright lights, as if they are being blinded by low beams in this car. Car has no load or extra weight, and yet this happens dozens of times per week with oncoming cars flashing their lights as I am approaching. Dealership refused to look at this concern, saying that if I did not purchase a new $15,000 engine, then my factory warranty would not be honored. The car is running fine. Other mechanic shops not affiliated with Kia say the headlights are perfectly adjusted to factory specs and there has been no shift or movement. One offered to bend metal to lower the beam, but he said this was not factory specs and so I declined. While refusing to address this issue, the Kia dealer that sold me this car also refused to repair the recalled trailer brake light harness, which is violation of federal law. The Kia owner's online portal is also non-responsive. I tried to address this there, where they assigned Case # 14685919. I am concerned about endangering other drivers with this, but Kia will not address this customer's concerns. Perhaps attorneys who query NHTSA database will force a solution before someone is harmed by this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield was repaired September 2020 after a rock chip spread immediately after impact. The recall covered the expense of that replacement. However, the new windshield has the same defect and another rock chip spread immediately and was quite large on impact March 2022. I was driving in a parking lot when it happened, so not a high enough speed to have the rock have much velocity to it. Kia needs to fix the issue when they have a recall, not replace it with the same issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ENGINE | Transmission would engage into neutral and anytime. Engine would RPM would inceease, 5-7000rpm without pressing the accelerator. When engine was at high RPM transmission would then engage into gear causing a violent lurching. Transmissionseems to be locked into 5th gear. Transmission would also slip/disengage while trying to accelerate. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VISIBILITY | I have replaced the windshield twice. A small pebble hit it in both incidents. It went from an invisible nick to cracks over 1 foot in length after driving no more than 5 miles to my destination. The cracks continued to grow to about 2 feet in length overnight. Kia sent me a letter which I did not realize until a few months after the first replacement acknowledging there was an issue and was gracious enough to reimburse me for the first one. I assumed they also fixed the manufacturing process of the windshields as well but ended up with the same issue with the first replacement. I find this to be a safety issue outside of the inconvenience and the second one I did not get reimbursed for. The structural integrity of the windshield is immediately compromised. You are not given a chance to get off the road before something worst could occur like the windshield fully shattering. The other concern is the windshield does not appear to be structurally sound enough to take on the other safety features it is to provide like holding the airbag in place when it is deployed or helping to prevent the roof from caving in during a rollover. I hope you do not wait to force a recall after someone is seriously injured or a death occurs as a result. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that previously the vehicle was involved in a crash and the air bags were removed from the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and the contact was referred to the body shop for the repair. The contact was informed that the replacement air bags were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. No further information was available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | POWER TRAIN | I reported a suspected defect on my vehicle 1/26/22. With 44,000 miles, the car began stalling and having difficulty accelerating from a stop at busy intersections. Germain Kia Dealership on Georgesville Rd in Columbus, OH where I purchased the vehicle new has refused to adequately investigate this issue, and has refused to make any repair for the open recall on this vehicle involving taillights and the trailer hitch. Dealership stated it would only make repairs if I bought a $15,000 new engine from them, and they stated that Kia would not honor my manufacturer's warranty, nor would Kia honor my extended warranty sold to me for $2,000 at time of purchase. Dealership was acting as an agent of Kia when taking this action. I filed a complaint to Kia headquarters, but this scheme to defraud was endorsed by Kia through a lack of action. I was assigned case number 14636950 by Kia, but the automaker took no action. My recall item was not repaired, and the suspected defect that involves stalling on my two-year old engine was not addressed at all. My records show 5 oil changes since buying this car, but Kia's Columbus, OH dealership says only oil changes done by their own dealership count. None of my oil changes done by other ASE certified repair facilities will be recognized. Dealership says Kia will not honor any warranty due to lack of maintenance. I can prove vehicle was maintained properly. When I escalated this matter to the dealership sales manager, service manager, and general manager, they took no action. I was denied repair on the recall item, as dealership and Kia tried to trick me into buying a new engine, they breached my warranty and my extended warranty, and they did not investigate the new potential defect involving power train. Please do not allow Kia and its dealers to defraud other customers and keep unsafe cars on the road in this fashion. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The high beams are no longer operable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I’ve owned over 10 vehicles and had glass chipped from rocks or hail and understand that happens. My Kia Telluride simply with no vehicles around on a paved road driving 55 miles an hour just cracked like it had been hit by a bullet and then proceeded to spread over 6” from the time the crack happen until I got it into my garage 5 miles down the road. The weather outside was 56 degrees according to vehicle and no rain or abnormal driving conditions. I have seen in numerous forums this is a common problem with the 2020 Kia Telluride. This should be a recall issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Both headlight high beams went out at the same time. I no longer have working high beams and from the internet research this is a known problem with no recall issued. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The low beams to high beam headlight stared working intermittently in Aug 2021. Maybe one side worked or the other or neither. I took it to KIA and they said a bulb was about burned out. Replaced both bulbs but was still having the same issue. Took it back in Sept 2021, they said they did a diagnostic test and everything showed it was ok. Left, same problem. Called again had appointment in October 2021, finally said there was a problem with the "curtain" or cover that moved to change the lights from High to Low beam. They ordered only the left side. Replaced that in December 2021. Left dealership and the left one works great, the right one only intermittently. Called again and asked that they replace the right one, tech had to ask someone if they were ok to do that. Got that approved and the part just came in. Setting up appointment soon. This has taken 4-5 months to get resolved, and I'm still not done. Too long if you ask me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | SUSPENSION | Rear Struts/Shocks have been replaced twice due to failure and they have failed again. The first time was due to horrible noises coming from rear of vehicle going up inclines. The second time they were replaced noises came from the rear going over any slight bump or rough terrain. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The high beam headlights fail to activate, yet the blue dash indicator shows lights are on high beam. Furthermore, when on low beam the headlights do not broadcast a sufficient distance ahead or to the side to enable driver to see the road sufficiently for safe driving. This issue has been reported by almost 100 other drivers, many of whom have North Carolina addresses, but the reports also list other states such as Nevada. This is a major safety issue that is evolving currently and hopefully, you will make it a priority to contact the manufacturer for a recall. This was first noticed on 12/23/2021, but became prominent when spouse driving me home from hospital ER for unrelated injury on 12/28/2021. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Dash gage cluster (tach, speedometer, fuel, and engine temp) all go to zero while driving. The digital speedometer readout is also zero. Basically the entire dash is dead minus the entertainment system which functions perfectly.This also shuts down all adaptive cruise and collision avoidance systems. Restarting the vehical will not bring dash instruments back. Ocassionally cycling to door locks and or disconnecting negative battery lead will bring dash instruments or they will begin randomly begin functioning again on their own. They always malfunction and come back as an entire cluster. I also have video of the vehical in motion with the instruments dead. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield keep getting chipped unnecessarily, I repaired it 3 times already and its being chipped 4th time. Called Kia and they told me to bring the car in to dealership for inspection and none of the dealership has any openings till 3 weeks later, and when i tell them to book appointment the call is dropped , all others are not picking up calls. called Kia Cerritos CA , Riverside CA. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The high-beam lighting system fails - causing dangerous conditions while driving. They use a motor system that tilts the light and this is prone to failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | High beams stopped working. Lights are terrible at night. No warning, just stopped working all of a sudden. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | STEERING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Component Failure: Unsafe headlights, refusal of KIA corporate to address problem since vehicle was new. Component Failure: Unsafe headlights, cause Advance Driver Assistance Systems to malfunction. Failures include: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, and Pedestrian Avoidance. Safety risks: 1) Multiple near collisions with Pedestrians and bicyclists. 2). Emergency braking engaged at night by irrigation stream, leaves and other Non Hazards 3). Near collisions with Pedestrians at night 4). Erratic maneuvers by Lane Keep Assist at night. 5). Lane Keep Assist shuts down at intermittently at night. 6). Departure from road surface at night during turns 7). Headlights do not illuminate Stop signs, Speed Limit signs, or caution signs at night. 8). Near collisions with Pedestrians and Bicyclists at night during turns 9). Collisions with road debris at night during turns and straightaways. 10). Multiple curbed medians hit during turns. Dealers and KIA corporate state systems are working as designed. Dealers and KIA corporate refuse to address the problems with this car The only warning light you get is the Lane Keep Assist / Warning light starts blinking sometimes. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | This is the 2nd chip and 2nd crack in my windshield. My vehicle had 16500 miles on it. and is my 11th Kia. I have never had an issue with windshields before this car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while the engine was idling and the brake pedal was being pressed for approximately 3 minutes, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a nearby snow plurer, lamp pole, and house stairs. During the incident, no injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 28,000 |
| Nov 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH at night on a back road, the hi-beam headlights were activated but failed to illuminate brighter than the low-beam headlights. The contact continued driving to his residence. After arriving home, the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the hi-beam headlights were not working as designed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the hi-beam bulbs were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,100. | Crash: No Fire: No | 44,100 |
| Oct 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The headlights in general are very dim and don't shine out to create an illuminated peripheral view. Also, both high beams have completely stopped working. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Since purchasing the vehicle new in May 2020 we have had to replace the windshield three times. On three separate occasions while driving down the interstate a small pebble hit the windshield, pitted it and the windshield immediately started to spider. In parking the vehicle in the garage out of the sun the crack continue to grow. In the short time we have had this car we have had Three new windshield that came from KIA. It has gotten to the point where I am scared to drive down the interstate- afraid that if I get close to any car that something will end up breaking the windshield. Once the windshield is cracked the car is basically not drivable because the crack just continues to grow. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | POWER TRAIN | Started car in 70 degree weather, heard a ticking noise coming from the hood, put car in reverse then drive, engine light came on (solid, not flashing), took it to get a diagnostic test and results state “Torque converter malfunction”. The car is now shifting hard through gears and shaking while driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |