The 2020 Kia Telluride has 753 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 173 complaints (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
What the defect is, what it can cause, and the free dealer fix — from the NHTSA campaign record. Check your own VIN before you buy or drive.
Reliability score
5.4 / 10
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
0
Critical
7
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 Telluride?
Avoid — the powertrain
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.
1 fatality report and 1 fire-related complaint on the powertrain
Electrical system: 49 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
7 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2020 Kia Telluride? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
lighting — 173 owner reports
· ~$250 to fix
visibility — 135 owner reports
· ~$350 to fix
engine — 105 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 63 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
critical on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 7 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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The high beam headlights fail to activate, yet the blue dash indicator shows lights are on high beam. Furthermore, when on low beam the headlights do not broadcast a sufficient distance ahead or to the side to enable driver to see the road sufficiently for safe driving. This…
Dash gage cluster (tach, speedometer, fuel, and engine temp) all go to zero while driving. The digital speedometer readout is also zero. Basically the entire dash is dead minus the entertainment system which functions perfectly.This also shuts down all adaptive cruise and…
Had a problem with your 2020 Kia Telluride?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Fix: 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.
Fix: 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.
A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 753 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Kia Telluride has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2020 Kia Telluride?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 Kia Telluride is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 1 fire-related complaint on the powertrain; Electrical system: 49 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 7 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Kia Telluride?
Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 173 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Kia Telluride a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 753 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Kia Telluride?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 173 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Telluride has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Kia Telluride?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 753 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Kia/Telluride.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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