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moderate 171 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Of the 171 lighting complaints filed for the 2020 Kia Telluride, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Lighting accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 171 lighting complaints against 1 active recall — roughly 171 complaints per campaign.
Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Pitstop provides information regarding the disposal of the headlamp assembly desiccant/absorbent pack(s) on some 2020-2024MY Telluride (ON) vehicles equipped with either Halogen or LED lamps. The headlamp desiccant pack(s) may expand over time during normal vehicle operation. Desiccant pack expansion is normal. Desiccant packs are a consumable part and once the pack has fully expanded, it is no longer a functioning part. If the desiccant pack/bracket is determined to be expanded as shown below, it is recommended to be removed from the dust cap and then be discarded without a required replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the halogen headlamp assembly in certain 2020 MY Telluride LX/S/EX vehicles 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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT - 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 associated with the 'Halogen Headlamp High Beam Warranty Extension Program' (WTY030) to replace the affected (left and/or right side) headlamp assembly on certain 2020MY Telluride (ON) LX/S/EX vehicles, produced at Kia Georgia from January 09, 2019 through November 18, 2019, which may exhibit a loss of high-beam functionality. Due to an internal failure in the headlamp, the high beam lights may not illuminate when turning the light switch fr
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OVERHEAD CONSOLE SUNGLASS DOOR-LATCH REPAIR - This bulletin provides information to repair the overhead console lamp assembly and sunglass door latch on some 2012-2023MY model vehicles listed in the table below, which may encounter the sunglass case of the overhead console lamp not closing properly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information associated with the 'Halogen Headlamp High Beam Warranty Extension Program' (WTY030) to replace the affected (left and/or right side) headlamp assembly on certain 2020MY Telluride (ON) LX/S/EX vehicles, produced at Kia Georgia from January 09, 2019 through November 18, 2019, which may exhibit a loss of high-beam functionality. Due to an internal failure in the headlamp, the high-beam lights may not illuminate when turning the light switch from the low to high beams. The low-beam function is not affected. The vehicle's warranty for this issue will be extended from 5 years/60,000 miles to
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners consistently describe two dominant failures: high beam shutters that jam in the closed position, and chronically poor low beam illumination across the entire fleet.
High beam failure is sudden and silent. The dashboard indicator light comes on, but the headlights stay dim. Bulb replacement and relay checks do not fix it; the shutter mechanism inside the assembly gets stuck. Kia issued a recall (Campaign 24V148000) and extended warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles, but replacement parts remain backordered for months. Full assembly replacement costs $1,200–$2,500 per side with no guarantee the problem won't recur. Several owners report the same failure happening after Kia's "repair." The defect strikes without warning—sometimes at 45,000 miles, sometimes later—leaving drivers unable to use high beams on unlit rural roads with wildlife.
Low beam performance is a chronic design issue. Owners across multiple states report dangerously narrow, diffuse beams that don't project far enough and leave blind spots on road edges and around corners. Dealers confirm the lights meet factory spec and refuse service. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates them poor. Owners report nearly hitting pedestrians, unable to read street signs or mailbox numbers, and facing repeated high-beam flashes from oncoming traffic (as if they were driving with brights on). Night driving feels unsafe enough that many owners avoid it.
One owner also documented a trailer brake light issue: when Auto Hold is active, trailer lights fail unless the driver's foot stays on the brake pedal, even though the vehicle's own brake lights function normally during Auto Hold.
The headlight shutter mechanism that lifts to enable high beam illumination gets stuck in the closed position. The high beam indicator light on the dashboard illuminates as if the high beams are on, but the actual headlights remain at low beam output. Owners report this occurs suddenly without warning and affects both headlights simultaneously.
When: 45,000–70,000+ miles; some failures noted intermittently before complete loss
Symptoms owners cite: High beam indicator light illuminates on dashboard but headlights do not brighten; Sudden complete loss of high beam function; Intermittent high beam operation on one or both sides before total failure; Initial flicker in low beams when attempting to activate high beams
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers typically recommend complete headlight assembly replacement (cost $1,200–$1,500 per side or $2,500 both sides); bulb replacement alone does not fix the problem. Relay and fuse inspection have not resolved the issue. Independent mechanics have identified stuck shutter mechanisms in the headlight assembly. Extended warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles offered by Kia but recall repair parts remain on backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 24V148000 (Exterior Lighting) and Campaign 296 (Halogen Headlamp High Beam) issued for this defect; extended warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles; recall parts unavailable or severely delayed (backorder for months as of complaints filed). Dealers report no alternative repair solution.
Halogen headlights produce inadequate light output for safe night driving. The beam is diffuse and does not project far enough down the road. Peripheral and corner illumination is severely limited, creating blind spots when turning. Many owners report oncoming traffic flashing their lights as if the owner has high beams on, suggesting the beams are aimed too high.
When: Apparent from purchase; present across model year
Symptoms owners cite: Road ahead insufficiently illuminated at night, especially on unlit roads; Blind spots on road sides and in corners; dangerous visibility loss when turning; Distinct cutoff line visible in beam projection; Road signs, mailbox numbers, and street markings difficult or impossible to read; Insufficient light to see pedestrians, animals, or road hazards; Oncoming traffic repeatedly flashing high beams at owner; Poor visibility in rain or fog
Repairs/costs cited: Headlight aim/aiming checked by dealers; found to be within factory specification. Some owners attempted to bend or adjust metal to lower beam angle, but dealers refused as non-factory. Aftermarket bulbs and fog lights not recommended by mechanics as safety hazard or ineffective. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates these lights as poor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers confirm headlights work 'as designed' and refuse service under this explanation. No factory retrofit or fix offered; no recall issued for poor light output. Kia America directed owners to dealers with no resolution.
When the vehicle's Auto Hold brake hold feature is engaged and a trailer is connected via the 4-pin factory connector, the trailer brake lights do not function if the driver removes their foot from the brake pedal. The main vehicle brake lights display normally in Auto Hold, but trailer lights connected to the 4-pin connector only work when the driver's foot is actively on the brake pedal.
When: Occurs when Auto Hold is active with trailer towing
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer brake lights fail to illuminate when driver foot is removed from brake pedal while stopped in Auto Hold; Main vehicle brake lights function normally during Auto Hold; Lights on 4-pin trailer connector do not sync with main brake lights under Auto Hold; Safety hazard if trailer obscures view of vehicle brake lights
Codes mentioned: AH (Auto Hold), SCC (Smart Cruise Control), HDA (Highway Driving Assist), FCA (Forward Collision Avoidance)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner identified issue during auxiliary hitch light testing and verified during actual trailer towing. Consumer stated multiple systems involved (AH, SCC, HDA, FCA) in brake apply logic.
Some owners report headlights going dim, sticking in the wrong position (described as telescopic lights), or cycling on and off intermittently during operation. One owner observed the headlight assembly physically sticking when transitioning from low to high beam.
When: Variable; one reported during 11-hour highway drive; one noted intermittent issue over several months
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights become dim or very dim without warning; Lights cycle on and off during driving; Telescopic headlight mechanism appears stuck; No warning lights or dashboard indicators of malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic observed headlight assembly sticking during transition. Owners have not yet had dealer diagnostics or repairs completed. One owner unable to visit dealer due to lack of rental vehicles.
Synthesized from 171 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Brights stopped working. They do not turn on, even though you pull the lever, and the dash light comes on
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 issue has been reported by almost 100 other drivers, many of whom have North Carolina addresses, but the reports also…
I have a 2020 telluride and the headlights provide so little light that it's dangerous to drive at night. The normal beams are so diffuse they provide insufficient light forward to see the road clearly and provide no light to the sides, so you can't see what you are turning into when you turn. I called Kia and two local Kia dealers; they are aware of the problem but say they have no way to fix…
Right high beam stopped working. Low beams work, no indicators, bulb has been changed. Jist stopped working.
Hooded projector lights provide very limited vision on dark roads. We hit a deer and have significant damage to our vehicle due to this issue. Our brights do not come on either. Nothing happens when we select the bright option.
Bright head light stopped working without any cause.
High beams failure. Yes it is available for inspection. I live/travel in rural area with large sized wildlife. I require the ability to have high beams. I haven’t taken it to a service center, nor has any inspection been conducted. No warning lights, to the contrary, the interior instrumentation shows high beams are on even though they aren’t. This has been since I purchased the vehicle 2…
The High Beams have stopped working. This is a known issue as it can be found on many forums across the internet.
High beams not working
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 171 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 6,000 and 72,000 miles, with the median around 44,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,000; a quarter make it past 72,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.