2020 Kia Telluride Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride most often report two distinct patterns: windshield glass that chips or cracks easily and often spreads from a small impact, and headlamps on lower trims that owners describe as dim, particularly on unlit or curvy roads. A separate group of reports describes excessive engine oil consumption at higher mileage, where owners say they have to add oil between changes.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield chips and cracks easily, spreads fast

   Mentioned in 30 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe small stones or road debris producing a chip that grows into a long crack within hours, sometimes while the vehicle is parked. Some say a crack appeared with no impact heard or found at all, and several mention the dealer replaced the glass or referred them to their own insurance. Complaints also describe repeat replacements and fine scratching or pitting across the glass. Mostly reported on vehicles under about 15,000 miles, frequently within the first months of ownership.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the windshield closely in daylight for chips, pits, or edge cracks, and ask whether the glass has been replaced and whether any warranty extension paperwork for the front glass or sunroof deflector applies.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The windshield has appeared to crack for no reason. We did receive a letter from Kia saying they would replace it but they need to actually recall these windshields if they are having such and issue with them. I've only had it for 4 months. Not sure how long it has been like this but we just noticed it this weekend.”

   NHTSA complaint #11317000, filed 2020-03, 7,500 miles

   “Windshield has many chips. It seems that more than other vehicles I have owned. Telluride only has about 13,000 miles and I get sparkles on the windshield when driving in the sum from all of the small chips. Car only driven on the highway on seldom trips from los alamos to albuquerque. I now see why they do not cover the windshield on warranty or extended warranty which I purchased”

   NHTSA complaint #11349564, filed 2020-08, 13,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Dim headlights and inoperative high beams

   • 182 complaints (23%)
   • median 11,800 mi at 0.6 yrs old (35 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,800 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners of lower trims describe headlamps that light the road poorly, with little side illumination on curves and difficulty seeing signs on unlit roads; some upgraded to LED bulbs at their own cost. Other complaints describe high beams that stopped working, with dealers replacing bulbs, fuses, or entire headlamp assemblies without consistently resolving it. A few report low beams bright enough that other drivers flash them. Reported across a wide mileage range, with many at delivery or under about 30,000 miles and some high-beam failures past 70,000 miles.

   Recall 24V148000

   What to check: Drive the vehicle at night before buying, check both low and high beams, and ask whether the headlamp recall notice for 2020 models has been performed and whether the headlamp assemblies have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is an ongoing issue. The headlights on my ex model are seriously deficient and dangerous, especially during driving in low light area during turns. At my own expense I've purchased LED bulbs, which have improved visibility ahead of me, including being, now, able to see the sides of the road, however, visibility during turns is non-existent. After 30 + years of driving I have never been so uncomfortable driving at night.”

   NHTSA complaint #11301584, filed 2020-01, 100 miles

   “I love this car. I replaced my 2016 lexus gl 460 with the 2020 Telluride ex v6, a low milage previously owned car I found at a dealership because I felt it compared favorably in every way with the lexus, which I had bought new. Unfortunately, like others who have complained about the same lighting issue, I did not do a night time test drive of this car, but when I did finally drive it at night - wow! The headlights on this vehicle are the absolute worst I have ever experienced as a driver. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11394723, filed 2021-02, 1,700 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 127 complaints (16%)
   • median 81,250 mi at 5.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,000 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners report needing to add oil frequently between changes, sometimes a quart per week, with no warning light beforehand. Complaints describe consumption tests at the dealer, misfires or damaged pistons found on inspection, and stalling at low speed with a low oil warning. Some say the dealer found no fault on the first test while the oil level kept dropping. Generally reported at higher mileage, mostly past about 60,000 miles.

   7 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell on the dipstick, ask for oil change records, and ask whether an oil consumption test or the oil filter housing gasket warranty extension applies to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact needed to add a quart of oil per week. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11753074, filed 2026-07, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil consumption and a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11744675, filed 2026-06, 115,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slip and loss of power

   • 40 complaints (5%)
   • median 9,500 mi at 0.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the transmission slipping or dropping into neutral, with engine rpm rising without acceleration, sometimes requiring a restart to regain power. Complaints also mention vibration through the steering wheel, pedal, and seat at highway speeds. Some say the dealer witnessed the behavior but could not resolve it, and others were asked to install a data recorder. Described mostly under about 13,000 miles, including on highway on-ramps and after turns at low speed.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and on gentle acceleration, feel for vibration or delayed engagement, and ask whether the 4WD coupling software update or transmission control module updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While on a 1300 mile trip to branson mo, I was entering an interstate on ramp with my vehicle when the transmission slipped. My rpms revved up and no power on drivetrain. I coasted to should of interstate and put it in park, then shifted back to drive and still no go. I shut the vehicle off and turned it back on and it then worked. Almost like the computer-controlled awd failed and needed a reboot. This could have caused a serious accident and I am very concerned as this is a new vehicle that had 2200 miles on it when it happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #11301205, filed 2020-01, 2,200 miles

   “Vibration being felt in the steering wheel, gas pedal and in seat from the power train from highway speeds raging from 60mph to 80mph with a with a humming noise being heard from the interior at the same speeds. It has been getting progressively worse. We bought the vehicle in june of 2019 and it now has about 13000 miles on.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309545, filed 2020-02, 9,500 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Seat belt, air bag, and electrical warnings

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe an air bag warning light coming on at start-up, with a dealer diagnosis of wiring harness faults requiring replacement. Others report the vehicle rolling while parked with the recall still open, and complaints also note repeated sensor warnings in rain from the forward collision system. Reported from new through high mileage, with several tied to open recall repairs.

   Recall 24V214000Recall 19V594000Recall 20V436000

   What to check: Confirm with a dealer that all open recalls for the driveline, seat belts, and forward collision software have been completed, and check that no warning lights remain on after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V214000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled down from the driveway of his home while his son was in the backseat. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11598396, filed 2024-07, 68,213 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V436000 (Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance, Exterior Lighting) and 22V626000 (Trailer Hitches) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was firm while attempting to stop the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11496141, filed 2022-12, 45,000 miles

Buying note. Check the windshield condition and night-time headlamp performance carefully, since those are the most common owner complaints, and verify oil level and recall completion on higher-mileage examples. Records showing the recall work and any applicable warranty extensions were performed are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.