2020 Kia Telluride suspension problems
moderate 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Of the 5 model years of Kia Telluride we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 27.
Owners have filed 27 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Stay away from 2020 Telluride rear suspension unless you can verify it has been completely rebuilt. The factory self-leveling shocks routinely fail between 24k and 55k miles, leaving owners with an unsafe, uncontrollable vehicle—and Kia's TSB fix is incomplete. Paired with driveshaft vibration issues dealers won't acknowledge until you're out of warranty, this model's suspension is a known defect that affects owner safety and resale risk."
Owners of the 2020 Kia Telluride report two interconnected suspension problems: rear self-leveling shock failures and driveshaft vibration tied to transmission behavior.
Rear shock failures dominate the cluster. Owners describe shocks going stiff and losing damping—vehicles bounce violently over small bumps, even at 10 mph, with some reporting the ride feels as if shocks are "frozen." One owner with a child dependent on an LVAD heart pump stated the jolts caused physical pain. Failures start between 24,000 and 55,000 miles. Owners report multiple warranty replacements (one owner replaced shocks five times in three years) only to have them fail again within months. Kia issued TSB 113 for shock noise, but owners report the bulletin does not fully resolve the stiffness or eliminate clunking; some vehicles aren't even covered by the TSB despite having the same symptom.
Vibration and drivetrain issues accompany the shocks. Owners report random whole-vehicle vibrations felt during acceleration, gear changes, or highway speeds (45–70 mph). Several describe the car "lurching" on inclines or shaking so violently they fear losing control. One owner experienced hesitation when pulling into traffic—the engine would not respond for 2 seconds, a safety hazard. Mechanics and dealers have diagnosed or suspected rear driveshaft movement, transfer case issues, and torque converter problems. One owner's mechanic found a rear driveshaft with abnormal movement and replaced it plus serviced the transfer case and transmission; dealers told that owner a TSB exists but does not cover repairs despite apparent manufacturing fault.
Dealer responsiveness is a consistent complaint. Multiple owners report being dismissed, told to tighten the gas cap, or kept waiting months for appointments. One owner declined Kia corporate restitution to pursue accountability rather than silence.
Same Kia Telluride suspension reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Rear Self-Leveling Shock Absorber Stiffness and Loss of Damping
Rear shocks fail to absorb bumps and become abnormally stiff, causing excessive harshness, clunking, and loss of ride comfort. Vehicles bounce uncontrollably over minor road imperfections, creating instability and distraction for driver and passengers.
When: Failures reported between 24,000 and 55,000 miles; some noted stiffness beginning as early as 30,000 miles. One owner reported repeated failures: first set failed at 35,000 miles, second set at approximately 65,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear suspension feels stiff, no shock absorption; Vehicle bounces and jolts excessively over bumps; Clunking noise from rear suspension; Unsafe handling and difficulty controlling vehicle; Repeated failures after warranty replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Kia dealers replaced rear shock assemblies under warranty for some owners. One owner reported five shock replacements in three years (November 2021–September 2024). Parts cost varies; exact repair costs not cited in narratives. Some owners had shocks replaced multiple times only to experience failure again within months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued TSB 113 (Rear Shock Absorber Assembly Noise) in 1/2022. Owners report the TSB reduces clunking but does not resolve stiffness or fully restore damping. Some vehicles with the same symptoms are not covered by the TSB. One owner was told Kia corporate stated only NHTSA can issue recalls and refused further comment on the issue. Kia offered restitution with sign-off clause to one owner, which was declined.
Rear Strut Leaking and Seal Failure
Rear strut/shock seals fail, resulting in fluid leaks. One owner with standard shocks (not self-leveling) reported leaking struts at 85,000 miles that were out of warranty and unrepaired.
When: Reported at 85,000 miles; owner believes failure occurred much earlier but was not noticeable until higher mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking from rear struts; Loss of damping capability
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; owner pursued investigation into whether this is a parts defect affecting multiple 2020 Telluride owners.
Rear Driveshaft Excessive Movement and Vibration
Rear driveshaft exhibits abnormal movement or play, causing whole-vehicle vibration and instability during acceleration and highway driving. Related issues include transfer case and torque converter problems.
When: Issues reported around 60,000 miles and continuing; one owner experienced lock-up at approximately 70,000 miles with less than 5 years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Random vibration felt throughout vehicle during acceleration; Vehicle shaking violently at 45–70 mph (left-to-right motion); Lurching and hesitation on inclines; Engine hesitation when pulling into traffic or changing gears; no response for ~2 seconds; Transmission slipping or stuttering between 2nd and 3rd gear on inclines; Torque converter lock-up with no check engine light initially; code detected after second occurrence
Codes mentioned: Torque converter clutch off (code detected after second lock-up event)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's local mechanic replaced rear driveshaft and serviced transfer case and transmission, resolving immediate issues. Another owner had transmission flushed (December 2024) but same lock-up recurred one month later. Exact repair costs not cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: A TSB exists for this issue per one owner's mechanic, but TSB does not cover repairs even though failure appears to be manufacturing fault. Kia dealers initially dismissed complaints, telling owners the vehicles were operating properly, and took extended time without providing loaner vehicles. One owner's dealer finally identified passenger side front axle inner race damage at 100,000 miles but the root cause was the rear driveshaft per independent mechanic.
CV Axle Boot Leaking
CV axle boots leak grease and fluid, though the boot itself is not visibly cracked. Affects both standard and tow-package vehicles.
When: One owner reported at 62,261 miles; another mentioned at unknown mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Grease and fluid leaking from CV axle/joint/boot; Grease and fluid spatter on wheel
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer quoted $400 for boot replacement alone (labor not included). Aftermarket parts difficult to source.
Parking Brake Connector Fracture
Electronic Parking Brake connector fractured, causing Electronic Parking Brake warning light to remain illuminated and failure to accelerate properly.
When: At 50,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic Parking Brake warning light illuminated; Vehicle failed to accelerate properly
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by local mechanic; vehicle not yet repaired at time of report. Exact repair cost not cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer has not contacted owner.
Oil Pan and Oil Filter Cracking
Oil pan and oil filter cracked, discovered during suspension-related repair visit.
When: At 50,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leakage
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired by local Kia dealer during visit for parking brake and suspension issues.
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2020 Kia Telluride?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 27 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 50,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.