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Kia Telluride

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

RECALL ALERT:
There are 6 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability

The 2020 Telluride is less reliable than other cars from the same model year.

The 2020 Kia Telluride has been recalled 6 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2020 Kia Telluride owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

What Owners Say

Apple CarPlay

"Does not always engage, remove/unplug charger code, map freeze"

Anonymous, NC (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)
Display screen freezes up

"It actually goes beber and switches screens on its own and wont work"

Anonymous A., FL (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)
Display screen goes blank

"The display screen sometimes turns off or on or fails to turn off as expected."

Anonymous, NY (2020 Kia Telluride LX 3.8-L V6)
Other in-car electronics problem

"Electronics perform unreliably and unexpectedly. The rear climate control consistently changes function without adjustment. Other electronics sometimes function in unexplained ways and this sometimes involves safety issues."

Anonymous, NY (2020 Kia Telluride LX 3.8-L V6)

"Touchscreen does not respond to touch (except when car has set out in hot summer conditions) on the few instances it does respond it spirals out of control with radio changing channels untouched and screen changes on its own."

Anonymous, IA (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Voice portion of Bluetooth stopped working. Cannot speak hands free. Problem never resolved."

Anonymous, (2020 Kia Telluride SX 3.8-L V6)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"The tailgate latch quite working and Kia fixed it when I brought it in."

Anonymous, KS (2020 Kia Telluride S 3.8-L V6)

"The trim around the windows comes loose."

Anonymous, GA (2020 Kia Telluride S 3.8-L V6)

"Spark plugs and coils"

Anonymous, LA (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)

"Head lights,high beams went out. It was repaired had a minor problem since"

Anonymous, GA (2020 Kia Telluride LX 3.8-L V6)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

Headlights

"No high beams and low beam lights are very poor"

Anonymous, MI (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)

"RH headlight had a warranty recall and needed to be replaced."

Anonymous, FL (2020 Kia Telluride SX 3.8-L V6)
Other electrical system problem

"Several times after not driving the car for a week, the car was completely dead, and even a jump wouldn't start it. It was towed to the dealer, where they were NOT able to figure out what was wrong."

Anonymous A., PA (2020 Kia Telluride SX 3.8-L V6)

"The screen failed to work and cost nearly $3000 to repair"

Anonymous A., GA (2020 Kia Telluride SX 3.8-L V6)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Other brakes problem

"Dirty fluid"

Anonymous, OH (2020 Kia Telluride S 3.8-L V6)
Parking brake

"There was a recall issue with the parking brake and the parking gear that KIA provided a fix for."

Anonymous, MI (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)
Premature brake wear

"rear brakes needed replacing too soon"

Anonymous, NJ (2020 Kia Telluride Unsure 3.8-L V6)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

""A leak was discovered while the tires were being changed. I don't have additional details, but the dealership agreed to fix it just before the warranty expired.""

Anonymous, BC (2020 Kia Telluride LX 3.8-L V6)

"Transmission stopped working and needed to be replaced."

Anonymous, NJ (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)

"At just over 108,000 miles the transmission was making a strange noise. I brought the SUV in for service at my dealer; they said it needed to be replaced. The dealer in town, because I had the vehicle serviced by them and I own another Kia as well, honored the warranty even though it had just expired a few months previous to this issue. I think this was great customer service for an unexpected and potentially very costly repair."

Anonymous A., CT (2020 Kia Telluride S 3.8-L V6)

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Shocks or struts

"Rear shocks needed replacement"

Anonymous, ME (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)

"Both rear self leveling shocks failed. Originally I had to pay for replacements although recently Kia reimbursed me"

Anonymous, WI (2020 Kia Telluride SX 3.8-L V6)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

What Owners Say

CV joint

"Failed in less than 50k miles, dealer was hard to work with, slow to repair, tried to deny and doesn't provide courtesy rides home or courtesy cars (after six recalls on different Telluride systems) - Kia dealers in Austin, TX are the worst set of car dealers I've ever dealt with (dozen of different brands I've owned)"

Anonymous, TX (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)
Driveline vibration

"Replaced rear suspension"

Anonymous, MA (2020 Kia Telluride LX 3.8-L V6)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Oil leaks

""2nd visit to Kia dealer, gasket replacement. Still leaking. 3rd visit scheduled""

Anonymous A., OR (2020 Kia Telluride SX 3.8-L V6)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Ive had consistently disappointing experiences with multiple Kia dealerships in my area. Despite having worked with numerous car dealers over the years, the buying process with Kia has felt disorganized and, at times, questionable. In my experience, the warranty offered with Kia vehicles provides little to no real value. In fact, it often feels meaningless. Dealerships routinely find reasons to deny coverageciting explanations such as rodent damage to wiring or claiming that components like the radio are no longer covered after just a few months. Both the sales and service departments frequently attempt to upsell unnecessary products and services, often with an attitude that suggests theyre doing the customer a favor rather than delivering genuine support. Due to these repeated negative experiences, Ive made the decision not to purchase another Kia vehicleregardless of the vehicles quality."

Anonymous A., (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

What Owners Say

Rough shifting

""about 6 months ago; became very hard to switch gears; req'd two trips to dealer to properly diagnose, clean, lube and repair""

Anonymous, RI (2020 Kia Telluride Unsure 3.8-L V6)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

What Owners Say

Automatic climate control

"System did not maintain set temperature on both air conditioning or heat."

Anonymous, NC (2020 Kia Telluride EX 3.8-L V6)

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

2020 SUVs Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
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Overall Reliability Verdict
POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for about 380,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2025 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes, to power equipment and the electrical accessories.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
SEATS
Jun 05, 2024
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Summary:
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
What should you do:
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC316.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 24V407000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 462869
POWER TRAIN
Mar 20, 2024
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Summary:
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.
What should you do:
Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC303.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 24V214000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 427407
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Feb 26, 2024
Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Summary:
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
What should you do:
Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the high beam headlights, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC299.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 24V148000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 35031
TRAILER HITCHES
Aug 15, 2022
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Summary:
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
What should you do:
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 12, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC247.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 22V626000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 36417
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Jul 28, 2020
Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Summary:
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
What should you do:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 20V436000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 86921
SEAT BELTS
Aug 13, 2019
If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.
Summary:
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
What should you do:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 30, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC181.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 19V594000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 30168
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