2020 Kia Telluride
Common Problems
Ranked from 357 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
45 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Sunroof Malfunction
40complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof malfunctions, including getting stuck, breaking parts, and not closing properly.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 2
Paint Peeling
34complaintsLow severityOtherThe exterior paint begins to peel off, especially on the roof and hood.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 3
Windshield Cracking Without External Impact
33complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshields crack without any visible external impact or damage, spreading rapidly over time.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 4
High Beam Headlights Not Working
30complaintsHigh severityElectricalHigh beam headlights fail to turn on, despite the dashboard indicator showing they are on.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V436000
- 5
High Beam Headlight Failure
20complaintsHigh severityOtherHigh beam headlights suddenly stop working without warning, posing a significant safety risk.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V594000
- 6
High Beam Headlights Fail to Operate
20complaintsHigh severityElectricalHigh beam headlights fail to turn on despite the indicator light showing they are on.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V436000
- 7
High Beam Headlight System Failure
20complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe high beam headlights fail to activate, despite the blue indicator light showing they are on.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V436000
- 8
High Oil Consumption
20complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring frequent refills.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Windshield Cracking or Chipping Easily
20complaintsHigh severityOtherWindshields crack or chip easily under normal driving conditions, often without any apparent impact.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 10
Windshields crack or chip easily from small debris or without any apparent cause.
20complaintsHigh severityOtherThe windshields of the 2020 Kia Telluride are prone to cracking or chipping from minor impacts or without any apparent cause, posing a significant safety risk.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 11
Excessive Oil Consumption
16complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil without any warning lights, leading to potential engine damage and loss of power.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Windshield Cracking Due to Minor Impact
16complaintsMedium severityOtherMinor impacts from rocks or debris cause the windshield to crack and spread rapidly.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 13
Dim or Non-functional Headlights
10complaintsMedium severityElectricalHeadlights, including both low and high beams, become dim or fail to function properly, reducing visibility at night.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V436000
- 14
Visibility Issues
10complaintsMedium severityElectricalVisibility is severely reduced at night due to dim or non-functioning headlights, increasing the risk of accidents.
Related recall: 20V436000
- 15
Engine Stalling and Check Engine Light Issues
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls and the check engine light illuminates without clear warning signs.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Headlights provide insufficient illumination, especially in low light conditions and during turns.
8complaintsMedium severityOtherThe headlights on the 2020 Kia Telluride do not provide adequate illumination, making it difficult to see road signs and obstacles ahead, particularly at night or during turns.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V594000
- 17
Headlights Providing Insufficient Side Illumination
8complaintsMedium severityOtherHeadlights fail to illuminate the sides of the vehicle adequately, leading to poor visibility during turns and curves at night.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V594000
- 18
Sunroof Mechanism Failure
8complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof mechanism breaks or malfunctions, leading to the sunroof getting stuck or tearing itself apart.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 19
Suspension Issues
8complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension components, particularly self-leveling shocks, fail prematurely, causing a bouncy ride and potential instability at higher speeds.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Transmission Slipping into Neutral
8complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission frequently slips into neutral, especially at lower speeds, causing loss of power and potential safety issues.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Unusual Vibrations at High Speeds
8complaintsMedium severityTransmissionVibrations and humming occur between 65-75 mph, affecting the steering wheel, pedals, and seats.
- 22
Exterior Lighting Issues
7complaintsMedium severityOtherThe exterior lighting, including headlights and halogen lamps, experience malfunctioning or failing to function properly.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V594000
- 23
Paint Delamination
7complaintsLow severityOtherThe exterior paint peels off in chunks, exposing the metal underneath and potentially leading to rust.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 24
Oil Consumption Issues
6complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, leading to frequent refills and potential engine damage.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 25
Power Train Issues
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe power train experiences issues such as erratic shifting, stalling, and oil consumption problems.
- 26
Windshield Cracking and Spreading
6complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshields develop small chips that rapidly spread into large cracks, often without any apparent cause or impact.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 27
Windshield Cracks Without Impact
6complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshield cracks without any impact or visible damage, spreading rapidly under certain conditions.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 28
Windshield Repair Issues
6complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshields that have been repaired continue to develop new cracks or chips, requiring multiple repairs.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 29
Battery and Starter Failure
5complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe vehicle experiences sudden loss of power and stalls, often requiring a battery or starter replacement.
$300–$800est. starter replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 30
Brake System Malfunctions
5complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, causing the car to brake unexpectedly or not respond as expected.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 31
Engine Stall and Loss of Power
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences unexpected stalling and loss of power, often without warning lights, posing a risk to the driver and passengers.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 32
Engine Burning Excessive Oil
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine burns excessive oil, leading to potential engine failure and safety risks.
- 33
Paint Peeling Off Vehicle
4complaintsMedium severityOtherThe paint on the vehicle is peeling off in various areas, especially above the windshield and on the hood.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 34
Recall Issues
4complaintsMedium severityOtherRecall issues arise, with the manufacturer failing to address certain recalls in a timely manner, leaving vehicles with unresolved problems.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 35
Severe and Excessive Oil Consumption
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes oil at an excessive rate without warning lights or visible leaks.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 36
Engine Oil Consumption
3complaintsMedium severityFuel systemEngine consumes excessive oil, leading to potential engine failure or stalling, due to a known issue with the 2020 Kia Telluride.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 37
Brake System Malfunctioning
2complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, including spongy brakes and occasional complete brake failure, posing a significant safety risk.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 38
Excessive Engine Rattle/Ticking
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a persistent rattle or ticking sound during acceleration.
- 39
Headlight Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityOtherHigh beams fail to function properly, requiring multiple repairs without resolution.
$100–$900est. lighting assembly repair · 0.5–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V594000
- 40
Steering Column Issues
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering column and rack and pinion wear out, causing the steering wheel to become loose and unstable.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 41
Sunroof Deflector Spring Failure
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe sunroof deflector spring breaks, causing the sunroof to malfunction and potentially detach at high speeds.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 42
Sunroof Glass Shattering
2complaintsHigh severityOtherThe sunroof glass shatters unexpectedly, posing a significant safety risk.
Related recall: 19V594000
- 43
Suspension Defects
2complaintsMedium severitySuspensionFaulty rear suspension causes excessive bumpiness and noise during driving, especially at higher speeds.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 44
Suspension Issues Leading to Jolting and Unstable Ride
2complaintsMedium severitySuspensionThe rear suspension becomes hard and jolts at low speeds, leading to an unstable ride and potential safety concerns.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 45
Torque Converter Failure
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe torque converter malfunctions, causing the transmission to shift roughly and the engine to run erratically, potentially leading to a stall.
$1,500–$3,000est. torque converter replacement · 6–10 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.