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2020 Kia Telluride: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2020 Kia Telluride, most recently filed July 2026. Owners have filed 768 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 7campaigns 2 seat · 1 power train · 1 lighting Source: NHTSA Complaints 768filed Owner reports, 2020–2027 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 23mpg combined $2,840/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 3.8 L 6-cyl· 8-speed automatic 2 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (7)

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2020 Kia Telluride. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2020 Kia Telluride. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 26V430000 Filed Jul 2, 2026

Park Outside: Fire from Overheated Power Seat Motors

Seats · front assembly · power adjust
Official NHTSA text
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 or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Consequence
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC374. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V407. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning July 17, 2026.
Repair progress not yet reported462,869 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 26V430000
Listed for 2020 Kia Telluride. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 24V407000 Filed Jun 5, 2024

Fire from Overheated Power Seat Motor

Seats · front assembly · power adjust
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
85.2% repairedof 462,869 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V407000
Listed for 2020 Kia Telluride. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 24V214000 Filed Mar 20, 2024

Vehicle Roll Away from Disengaged Driveshaft

Power train · driveline · driveshaft
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
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.
86% repairedof 427,407 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V214000
Listed for 2020 Kia Telluride. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 24V148000 Filed Feb 26, 2024

High Beam Headlights May Fail

Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.
Consequence
Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
65.8% repairedof 35,031 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V148000
Listed for 2020 Kia Telluride. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 22V626000 Filed Aug 15, 2022

Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving

Trailer hitches
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
81.9% repairedof 36,417 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V626000
Listed for 2020 Kia Telluride. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V436000 Filed Jul 28, 2020

Inoperative Trailer Brake Lights/FMVSS 108

Electrical system · wiring
Official NHTSA text
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."
Consequence
Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
92.8% repairedof 86,921 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V436000
Listed for 2020 Kia Telluride. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V594000 Filed Aug 13, 2019

Incorrect Seat Belt Assemblies Installed/FMVSS 208

Seat belts · front
Official NHTSA text
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."
Consequence
If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the occupant in a crash.
Remedy
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.
93.1% repairedof 30,168 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V594000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Telluride years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Kia TellurideAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (768)

768 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The exterior lighting is mentioned most often.

8involved a crash
9involved a fire
11injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Kia Telluride, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 768.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2020 compares with other Telluride years

Best and worst Telluride years →
768 365 324 207 219 116 24
2020202120222023202420252027
This year (2020)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 15.5%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2020 Kia Telluride suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
20
city
26
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,900
CO₂ tailpipe
395 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2020 Kia Telluride configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.8 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 23$2,900395
3.8 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21$3,200426

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2020 Telluride for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Telluride years

Where to next

Which Telluride years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2021 Kia Telluride report365 complaints · 5 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2020 Kia Telluride FAQ

How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Telluride have?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 26V430000 (seat), 24V407000 (seat), 24V214000 (power train), 24V148000 (lighting), 22V626000 (trailer hitches), 20V436000 (brake), 19V594000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2020 Kia Telluride problems?

Owners filed 768 complaints with NHTSA. Exterior lighting (185), Engine (149), Unknown or other (145) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2020 Kia Telluride get?

EPA rates the 3.8 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 20 city, 26 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2020 Kia Telluride get?

NHTSA rated the 2020 Kia Telluride suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.5% rollover risk).

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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