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2020 Kia Telluride: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 776 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Telluride, more than any other model year listed[1][2]. It also has 7 recalls, so check that each one has been done before you buy or keep one[2].
Most reported problems
Complaints are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part. They are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1].
The biggest groups by count are:
- Exterior lighting, 185 complaints[5]
- Engine, 159 complaints, including 5 that mention a fire[6]
- Unknown or other, 146 complaints[7]
- Visibility and wipers, 136 complaints[8]
- Power train, 70 complaints[9]
- Electrical system, 60 complaints[10]
- Structure, 56 complaints[11]
- Suspension, 33 complaints[12]
Across all complaints, 8 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 11 injuries and 1 a death[1].
Headlights. In a sample of 12 lighting complaints we read, all 12 describe headlights that owners find too dim or poorly spread for night driving, especially on unlit roads and in turns[5]. This is about light output. It is a different issue from the high beam recall below.
Windshield. In a sample of 12 visibility complaints we read, all 12 describe a cracked or chipped windshield[8]. Some owners point to a small stone. Others say they saw no impact at all. Several mention waiting for a replacement windshield[8].
Highway vibration. In a sample of 12 power train complaints we read, 7 describe vibration or humming at highway speeds, and 3 describe the transmission slipping or losing power[9].
Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 4 describe low oil or oil leaks and 3 describe stalling[6]. The engine group has a median mileage at failure of 77,250[6]. Exterior lighting complaints have a median of 9,150 miles[5].
Recalls
NHTSA lists these recalls, newest first. Dealers do these repairs free of charge[13][14][15][16][17][18][19].
- Front power seat motor (26V430). The motor can overheat because of a stuck seat slide knob or an improper repair under recall 24V407, which can cause a fire. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until repaired. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly. It replaces 24V407, and cars already repaired under that recall need the new fix. Dated 2026-07-02, covering 462,869 vehicles[13].
- Front power seat motor (24V407). Same fire risk from a stuck seat slide knob. Dealers will install a bracket and replace the seat slide knobs. Dated 2024-06-05, covering 462,869 vehicles[14].
- Driveshaft (24V214). Two driveline shafts may not be fully connected, so the car could roll away while in Park. Until repaired, owners are told to set the electronic parking brake before leaving the car. Dealers will update the parking brake software and replace damaged shafts if needed. Dated 2024-03-20, covering 427,407 vehicles[15].
- High beam headlights (24V148). The high beams may fail, which reduces visibility. Dealers will inspect and repair or replace them. Dated 2024-02-26, covering 35,031 vehicles[16].
- Tow hitch harness (22V626). On cars with a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness, debris and moisture can cause an electrical short and a fire. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension, and replace the harness assembly if needed. Dated 2022-08-15, covering 36,417 vehicles[17].
- Trailer brake lights (20V436). On cars with Smart Cruise Control, trailer brake lights do not light when the cruise system brakes with a trailer attached. Dealers will add a wire harness. Dated 2020-07-28, covering 86,921 vehicles[18].
- Child seat belts (19V594). Some seat belts may not hold a child seat tightly in a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace incorrect belt assemblies, and swap a driver's belt with a non-U.S. label. Dated 2019-08-13, covering 30,168 vehicles[19].
The 26V430 notice said owner letters were expected on August 13, 2026, and that VINs would be searchable on NHTSA.gov from July 17, 2026[13].
Fuel economy
Both versions use a 3.8L 6-cylinder with an Automatic (S8) and regular gas[3][20].
| Version | City / Highway / Combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive[3] | 20 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 |
| All-wheel drive[20] | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 |
EPA bases the annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[3].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover, with a rollover risk of 14.3%[4]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 15.5%[21].
Engine and size
The EPA test list rates the 3.8L 6-cylinder at 291 hp[22]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[23].
How 2020 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 776 | 7 |
| 2021 | 373 | 5 |
| 2022 | 327 | 7 |
| 2023 | 209 | 6 |
| 2024 | 222 | 5 |
| 2025 | 122 | 3 |
| 2027 | 43 | 3 |
Among the Telluride model years NHTSA lists, 2020 has the most complaints at 776[2]. The next highest is 2021 with 373[2]. For recalls, 2020 and 2022 are tied at 7 each, ahead of 2023 with 6, 2021 and 2024 with 5, and 2025 and 2027 with 3[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only[2].
Should you buy a used 2020 Telluride?
The 2020 has the heaviest complaint load of the Telluride years listed, and 7 recalls[2]. Several recalls involve fire risk or rollaway, so confirm with a Kia dealer that every one is complete, including the newest seat motor recall[13][15]. Owners in our samples describe dim headlights, cracked windshields and highway vibration, though these are small samples[5][8][9]. On the plus side, it earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[4][21]. Our data does not cover price, reliability scores, towing or oil capacity.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Telluride?
- By count, exterior lighting leads with 185 complaints, followed by engine with 159[5][6]. Owners in a sample we read describe dim headlights and cracked windshields[5][8].
- How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Telluride have?
- NHTSA lists 7, covering a seat motor fire risk, driveshaft roll away, headlights, tow harness, trailer lights and child seat belts[2][13][15][16][17][18][19].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Kia Telluride?
- EPA rates it 23 MPG combined in front-wheel drive and 21 combined in all-wheel drive[3][20].
- Is the 2020 Kia Telluride safe?
- NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal and rollover tests[4][21].
- Is 2020 a bad year for the Telluride?
- It has more complaints than any other listed year, 776 against 373 for 2021, but counts are not adjusted for sales[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 776 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Telluride (8 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 11 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Telluride model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Telluride FWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 185 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,150). NHTSA vehicle records
- 159 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 146 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 136 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,450). NHTSA vehicle records
- 70 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 6,438). NHTSA vehicle records
- 60 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,488). NHTSA vehicle records
- 56 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 33 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V430, filed July 2, 2026: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V407, filed June 5, 2024: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V214, filed March 20, 2024: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V148, filed February 26, 2024: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V626, filed August 15, 2022: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V436, filed July 28, 2020: Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V594, filed August 13, 2019: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Telluride AWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Telluride with 3.8L 6-cylinder: rated 291 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TELLURIDE 4DR SUV: length 197 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,343 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov