2020 KIA Telluride problems

SEATS

I own a 2020 Kia Telluride with a Canadian VIN permanently registered in [XXX] (military) and live in [XXX]. The vehicle has an active fire risk recall. Kia America and my local dealership in [XXX] are refusing to perform the federally mandated safety recall including a significant fire hazard if not repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11763809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I have a Kia Telluride 2020 EX AWD automatic. I bought it used about 2.5 years ago. It’s been having some ongoing issues with oil consumption, which from what I have learned is pretty common in this car. Since I learned that I’ve been increasing the frequency of oil changes and topping off oil in between. It burns oil at an absurd rate, and gives no warning when oil is low. On the most recent change, ~a month ago, the mechanic recommended changing it after 3,000 miles. Yesterday the car completely shut down while driving on the highway, no warning or anything, just a noise, smoke and then the car died in a matter of seconds. I nearly got in an accident trying to drift to the side of the road with no power or anything. No control of the car. Ended up stuck in traffic going 70+ mph with a toddler. After it was towed, our mechanic found there was no oil left and we had two holes in the engine casing. He explained it looks like when the oil ran out completely, some part broke off in the engine and shot through the housing. So it’s looking like we need a new engine. We had NOT driven it 3000 miles since the last oil change just a month ago, and we have even topped off the oil since that change, most recently a week ago. This means the car burned through about 9 quarts of oil in <3000 miles. Multiple mechanics have told us this is a known issue with the car, and there is nothing to do to prevent it. When we called the dealership to inquire about getting a new engine, they told us we would need to do an oil consumption test. Obviously this is impossible on a car that does not drive and has two holes in the engine. So we are stuck paying out of pocket. Kia is well aware of this issue and is doing nothing.

NHTSA complaint #11763802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to maintain automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired at a local dealer for an unknown recall associated with an engine oil leak. The vehicle was towed back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed and an engine flush was suggested, and the contact was informed that six fuel injectors needed to be replaced as a possible repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

NHTSA complaint #11763566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On December 9, 2025, the factory exterior paint on my 2020 Kia Telluride (Snow White Pearl) began experiencing massive, sudden delamination, shearing completely off the roof down to the factory primer layer in a sheet larger than a hand towel. The peeling is continuing to spread due to wind exposure while driving. Furthermore, the paint failure has compromised the protective coating, causing specs of rust to actively break through the paint throughout the trunk and exterior body panels. This indicates a severe manufacturing defect in factory paint adhesion and corrosion protection, posing a direct threat to the vehicle's structural integrity and body longevity. Kia America has refused warranty assistance due to vehicle age/mileage limits, despite this being a widespread manufacturing failure.

NHTSA complaint #11763418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

On December 9, 2025, the factory exterior paint on my 2020 Kia Telluride (Snow White Pearl) began experiencing massive, sudden delamination, shearing completely off the roof down to the factory primer layer in a sheet larger than a hand towel. The peeling is continuing to spread due to wind exposure while driving. Furthermore, the paint failure has compromised the protective coating, causing specs of rust to actively break through the paint throughout the trunk and exterior body panels. This indicates a severe manufacturing defect in factory paint adhesion and corrosion protection, posing a direct threat to the vehicle's structural integrity and body longevity. Kia America has refused warranty assistance due to vehicle age/mileage limits, despite this being a widespread manufacturing failure.

NHTSA complaint #11763418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My sunroof stopped being able to close all the way. I took it to the dealership and to fix it, it will cost over $7,00 dollars. It will open but won’t close all the way.

NHTSA complaint #11763373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Large chunks of paint peeling from hood and top of car. Yes, available for inspection. Safety concerns for visibility issues for driver and other drivers if paint impairs visibility. Yes, visited a collision repair shop, stated they see this being an issue a lot with Kia Tellurides, especially the snow white as they didn’t put primer on vehicle first. Yes, was inspected by insurance representative. No warnings, started about a month ago and has gotten gradually worse.

NHTSA complaint #11763121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The sun roof warning light on dash suddenly came on and when I tried to open it up it broke and would no longer close. Finally got front toclise but back won't. Paeamount Kua of Asheville wants $7000 to fix even though I have extended warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11762934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My engine failed from burning oil, even though the car has been maintained its whole life, 14 documented oil changes, roughly every 5,000 miles. • Jiffy-lube shop found the crankcase completely bone dry, only 4,344 miles after the last oil change. No reading on the dipstick. They added 6 quarts. Engine was knocking before and after. • No oil warning light ever came on, and no low-oil warning, just a check engine light and the knocking. • Towed same day to an independent shop. They found code P0524 (engine oil pressure too low) and say the internal noise is probably a rod bearing. Engine needs to be replaced. • The car goes into limp mode while driving. On the highway it dropped from 60 mph to 20 mph in live traffic with no warning. I couldn't safely get to an exit. • That's about 1.4 quarts per 1,000 miles, Kia's own bulletin ENG222 calls 1 quart per 1,000 excessive. • The car is not drivable, hasn't been repaired. This happened around 3 months after purchasing it second hand. Lots of other 2020 Telluride owners are reporting the same oil consumption problem.

NHTSA complaint #11762488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My engine failed from burning oil, even though the car has been maintained its whole life, 14 documented oil changes, roughly every 5,000 miles. • Jiffy-lube shop found the crankcase completely bone dry, only 4,344 miles after the last oil change. No reading on the dipstick. They added 6 quarts. Engine was knocking before and after. • No oil warning light ever came on, and no low-oil warning, just a check engine light and the knocking. • Towed same day to an independent shop. They found code P0524 (engine oil pressure too low) and say the internal noise is probably a rod bearing. Engine needs to be replaced. • The car goes into limp mode while driving. On the highway it dropped from 60 mph to 20 mph in live traffic with no warning. I couldn't safely get to an exit. • That's about 1.4 quarts per 1,000 miles, Kia's own bulletin ENG222 calls 1 quart per 1,000 excessive. • The car is not drivable, hasn't been repaired. This happened around 3 months after purchasing it second hand. Lots of other 2020 Telluride owners are reporting the same oil consumption problem.

NHTSA complaint #11762488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The car has stalled numerous times on the roadway while driving. The issue has been identified as an oil consumption issue. There was no low pressure warning light or other warning indicating that there is an oil pressure issue or any other early warning of an engine stall. The dealer has indicated that a complete engine replacement is required to correct the problem. Based upon research, there has been a significant amount of complaints pertaining to this issue. This same oil consumption and engine stall issue was part of a Class Action settlement by KIA, however this particular KIA model was not covered in the litigation.

NHTSA complaint #11760354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle experienced significant drivability issues including shaking/clinking at speeds over 50 mph, check engine light, and reported two-cylinder misfires. Engine oil level was critically low, not registering on the dipstick, requiring approximately 2 quarts added to continue driving. An independent mechanic inspection found excessive oil in Cylinder 2 and assessed that oil was likely leaking past the piston rings and burning, recommending a bottom-end rebuild or engine replacement. Kia dealership (Sunset Kia) inspection subsequently found a score mark in Cylinder 6 and two external oil leaks (oil pan gasket and oil filter housing). Kia approved goodwill repair of the external leaks only, after which I was instructed to drive approximately 1,000 miles for a follow-up oil consumption test. After that period, the dealership confirmed the engine was still consuming oil beyond the external leaks. Kia Corporate took approximately three weeks to review a goodwill request for engine replacement, ultimately denying it. During this three-week period the vehicle remained at the dealership, and I incurred over a week of out-of-pocket rental car expenses due to no loaner vehicle being available and no transportation assistance offered. The vehicle has fewer than 100,000 miles. I am concerned this reflects an internal engine defect (oil consumption/piston ring or cylinder wall issue) affecting the vehicle’s safe operation, given the drivability symptoms (shaking, misfire, near-zero oil level) that initially prompted this investigation.

NHTSA complaint #11760014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I went to open my sunroof and I see a piece sticking up. My sunroof then wouldnt close. I get home and find out its the wind deflector. I tried to close the sunroof and now my sunroof if stuck open. One of the tracks is now misaligned and I can't close my sunroof.

NHTSA complaint #11758832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The factory-installed driver/passenger side LED headlight assembly suffered a sudden, total internal electrical failure while driving at night, causing an immediate loss of forward visibility and creating a severe crash hazard. This is a known, systemic manufacturing defect affecting premium trims (SX/SX-Prestige) of the 2020 Kia Telluride. The housing seals degrade prematurely, allowing condensation to become trapped inside the unit. This moisture corrodes the internal circuit boards and shorts out the electrical modules, completely disabling the high beams, low beams, and running lights. Because these LED units are entirely sealed, they cannot be serviced or repaired by changing a bulb; the entire expensive structural component must be replaced. Kia is fully aware of 2020 Telluride headlight failures and issued Safety Recall SC299 (NHTSA Campaign 24V148000) to address them. However, Kia arbitrarily limited that safety recall to lower trims utilizing halogen assemblies. Premium trims utilizing LED assemblies are experiencing the exact same catastrophic loss of nighttime illumination due to internal electrical failures, yet owners are being forced to pay out-of-pocket to fix an inherent safety defect. The NHTSA needs to mandate that Kia expand Campaign SC299 to include all 2020 Telluride trim levels equipped with LED headlight assemblies before this widespread visibility failure causes a fatal nighttime collision.

NHTSA complaint #11758772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I bought my vehicle used around 62,000 miles, I was the second owner. Around 90,000 miles my vehicle suddenly stopped driving. There was absolutely no signs of issues prior to this event. I had it towed to the Kia dealership where they recommended an entire engine replacement, but assured me I was outside of warranty. I did not pay for extended warranty so I decided to take it to an independent mechanic who informed me there was a missing internal pin. This mechanic felt certain this was a manufacturing issue. He was able to repair multiple components without replacing the whole engine and the vehicle was drivable again. Now at 122,000 miles the vehicle had the same exact issue occur. I have owned this vehicle for less than three years and have had engine failure twice. After researching online there are many people who have experienced the same exact issues and probably thousands more who were not vocal about it. This is absolutely a manufacturing problem with this vehicle and it deserves to be addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

instrument cluster began failing intermittently (tachometer first, then other gauges), and the dealer determined the entire cluster had to be replaced at a cost of about $3,000. The vehicle had 78,000 miles, so it was outside Kia's 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11753294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle experiences intermittent brake failure at normal and low speeds. No indicator lights are present, no warnings are given.

NHTSA complaint #11753368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact needed to add a quart of oil per week. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the piston in the engine was damaged from oil consumption, ultimately causing the engine failure. The engine was replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and denied covering the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted about the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I attempted to open the moonroof on our 2020 Kia Telluride. When it opened, it was cockeyed and off track. I pushed the button to close it, and I heard a plastic piece break and the moonroof remained stuck open. I took this car to Kia of Olympia, Kia of St. Cloud and Horne Kia, all confirmed that the plastic parts that broke are related to to their issued TCB#BOD319. This is well known and frequent issue on 2020-2022 Kia Tellurides, where the plastic for the wind guard snaps off and gets lodged in the sunroof track. Even though this is a known issue with the Kia Telluride, they have declined to cover the repair cost, and we now must pay over $7,000 for an entirely new sunroof assembly.

NHTSA complaint #11753133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V430000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact needed to add a quart of oil per week. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the piston in the engine was damaged from oil consumption, ultimately causing the engine failure. The engine was replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and denied covering the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted about the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Purchased this car used in July of 2025 with 77,000 miles. When we went in for the first complimentary oil change at ~5,000 miles, there was no noticeable oil on the dipstick. The dealership continued with the oil change and advised us to come back every 500miles for an oil consumption test. We did this three separate times and each time we were at least a full quart low each time. It was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. Luckily for us, it was covered under warranty. Our engine was replaced with a remanufactured engine from Kia. When we asked if this problem was going to happen again, we were told yes, but with no timeline. We now have no idea what to expect with this “new, but used” engine and why we were never alerted to the car being low on oil before the first complimentary oil change. Concerns for the purpose of this report are the reliability of these engines and the oil level/pressure sensing system.

NHTSA complaint #11753165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The sun roof came completely off the tracks and won’t close. The car is no longer weather proof and is at risk of the glass flying off at high speeds. Problem has not been reproduced or confirmed. Has not been inspected by the manufacturer or others. No warnings prior to the failure.

NHTSA complaint #11751921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My vehicle has the radiator fan that will not shut off. It stays running until the battery goes dead. I have taken it in to dealership and get the can not reproduce answer as well as maybe its this or that, you will have to leave it here. In doing research this is a known issues with the relay being built in to the PCB fuse block. The block shorts or sticks and the whole thing needs to be replaced. Very pricey. Lots of owners have or had the same issue. In speaking to an independant repair facility I was told this could be a fire risk yet again. The unit could overheat from running at full speed constantly or the wiring could catch fire. Kia will not recognize the situation, and wants to throw parts at it at owners cost. I have to unplug the fan when parked to stop this from occurring.

NHTSA complaint #11749537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

This 2020 Telluride, like others, burns excessively through oil. I had to add 2.5 quarts recently and I had not hit 3,000 miles since my last oil change. I have to check the oil level constantly because of how fast it burns through it. It does not meet the manufacturers guidelines nor does it give any warnings that the oil level low at all. Even being THAT low.

NHTSA complaint #11749508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.