2020 Kia Telluride

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23002 to investigate allegations of loss of high beams with no warning and no re-engagement resulting in reduced visibility at night in the 2020 Kia Telluride. The investigation revealed that the halogen bi-function projector beam, used in vehicles built between January 2019 and November of 2019, is composed of one halogen bulb light source that provides light for both low beam and high beam. The heat generated by the halogen bulb will inflict damage to the gear mechanism and as a result the shutter’s electric motor will no longer be able to move the shutter to the open position to reveal the high beams. A loss of high beams, prevents the driver from having proper distance illumination, therefore increasing the risk of a crash. On February 24, 2024, Kia filed recall 24V-148 for certain MY 2020 Kia Tellurides. The recall remedy provides an inspection of the high beam shield gear mechanism and will either apply a clip to secure the shield gear to the shaft or replace the headlamp assembly with one that is resistant to heat damagefrom the halogen bulb. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

When i am driving the vehicle about 20-50 MPH sometimes it jerks for no reason. I just got a full synthetic oil change and after 800 miles it was down one quart of oil. The dipstick went from full to minimum. Also the chack engine light turned on. The vehicle only has 80K miles and has had regular oil changes

NHTSA ID

11776736

Incident

Nov 9, 2026

Paint peeling on roof (color snow white pearl)

NHTSA ID

11775992

Incident

Nov 1, 2026

Kia Tellurides produced between Feb and Dec 9, 2019 had software issues related to the torque converter solenoid pressure (too low to securely mate torque converter clutch) and over-sensitivity trouble code P0741, which indicates torque converter clutch slip. Kia fixed this software issue for the remainder of 2020 production, starting Dec 10, 2019. Kia also issued TSB TRA089 in April 2020 to reflash the transmission control unit (TCU) but would only do this on vehicles with an active check engine light (CEL), rather than reflashing all affected vehicles with proper TCU firmware. Many customers, including myself, were unaware of the clutch damage that took place as a result of outdated TCU firmware and drove our vehicles with constant micro-slip events, which prematurely wears out the torque converter clutch. This is why there are so many torque converter failures on 2020 Kia Tellurides between 80~120k miles. I now have a 2020 Kia Telluride with 126k miles built on Dec 6, 2019 (3 days before the TCU firmware was fixed), and my torque converter is slipping badly. It is now a safety concern because the vehicle is unpredictable and may or may not properly engage the torque converter. The torque converter must now be replaced and fluid flushed; however, metal shavings also have negative impacts on the transmission and could require a full transmission replacement. This issue is not normal wear and tear. It is a known clutch slipping issue that Kia chose not to address until customer vehicles break down catastrophically. Now owners are on the hook for expensive torque converter and transmission repairs, while this expense could have been avoided with a TCU reflash that Kia knew about for nearly 7 years - since Dec 10, 2019. After this date, vehicles came stock with updated TCU firmware that applied sufficient clutch solenoid pressure to prevent constant microslip events and premature torque converter clutch wear out.

NHTSA ID

11775487

Incident

Nov 2, 2026

While driving the left rear brake caliper seized causing the brake to drag. It damaged the brake rotor and brake pads. I immediately pulled over as the car was unsafe to drive any further.

NHTSA ID

11775136

Incident

Oct 21, 2026

Batter drainage issue. Have paid for a new battery and I just bought the car 09/14/2026

NHTSA ID

11773544

Incident

Oct 25, 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 discovering the severity of the leak. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this fuel-system failure represents a broader safety issue affecting 2020 Kia Telluride vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11772143

Incident

Oct 18, 2026

1. Incident & Vehicle Identification •Vehicle: 2020 Kia Telluride •Owner Name: [XXX] •Contact Phone: [XXX] •Kia Customer Care Case Number: XXX •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 address this safety hazard. The dealership diagnosed the issue and performed repairs out-of-pocket. 3. Subsequent to my repair, Kia issued an official NHTSA Safety Recall concerning the driver's power seat switch/fuse assembly, warning owners that the switch could stick, overheat, and cause a vehicle fire. 4. I submitted my repair receipt and dealership invoice to Kia for reimbursement under the federal General Reimbursement Plan. 5. On September 25, 2026, Kia Customer Care formally denied my claim (Case #26382986), stating: "Per the invoice received, the electronic fuse assembly was not installed. Reimbursement request denied." REGULATORY VIOLATION UNDER FEDERAL LAW: Under 49 CFR § 573.13(d)(2)(v)(A), federal safety standards stipulate that a manufacturer's reimbursement plan MUST cover repairs that addressed "the defect or noncompliance that led to the recall OR A MANIFESTATION OF THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE." Kia is violating federal regulations by imposing an arbitrary constraint requiring the dealership's pre-recall repair invoice to match the specific part number or component description identified in the subsequent recall, rather than recognizing that the repair INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11771825

Incident

Oct 7, 2026

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 reported on this of a woman needing an engine replacement and Kia not covering it, but after the news got to them they now are. We need this issue addressed as it is NOT SAFE and Kia needs to put a recall on this immediately- like 5 years ago this should have been addressed! I am not stuck with a car I still owe money on and have to figure out how to pay for a new engine!? KIA needs to do something- this is a safety issue! see article below! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11771544

Incident

Nov 8, 2024

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUNROOF WIND DEFLECTOR ARMS AND MECHANISM PARTS REPLACEMENT - (CLOSED & SUPERSEDED BY BOD360/WTY049) - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by BOD360/WTY049. This bulletin provided information to perform a partial replacement of the sunroof wind deflector and mechanism arms on some 2019-2022MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from February 15, 2019 through January 19, 2022. The affected vehicles may experience the sunroof open/close operation inoperative and/or the sunroof wind deflector function inoperative.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUNROOF WIND DEFLECTOR ARMS AND MECHANISM PARTS REPLACEMENT (WTY049) - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Warranty Extension Program' (WTY049) to diagnose and, if necessary, replace the front sunroof wind deflector arms and certain mechanism components on certain 2020-2022MY Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from January 9, 2019, through July 27, 2022. The affected vehicles may experience the sunroof open/close operation inoperative and/or the sunroof wind deflector function inoperative. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION (REV 1) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing a 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicle's engine, which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY049) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to owners for specific repairs related to the front sunroof wind deflector on certain 2020-2022 MY Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 through July 27, 2022. For these specific model & model years, Kia will extend the warranty for a condition where the customer is unable to open/close the front sunroof and/or the sunroof wind deflector does not operate or function properly from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION: This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing a 2020-2025MY Telluride (ON) vehicle's engine, which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. Follow the flowchart on page 2 in this procedure to repair a vehicle exhibiting excessive oil consumption.

WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY049) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension campaign program launch.