10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,580 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 Kia Telluride engine problems

engine problem

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2020 Kia Telluride Owner Comments

problem #5

Jan 292024

Telluride

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The torque converter is malfunctioning to where I have been unable to use my vehicle for almost 2 months. It is available for inspection, but is currently at a repair shop pending inspection to get an estimate on costs to fix the issue (if it is something that can be fixed). My safety along with my family's safety were put at risk due to the inability for the vehicle to pick up speed while driving on major highways [XXX]. During this time the check engine light came on for the 1st time, the vehicle would not properly pick up speed, continuously makes a whining noise when vehicle is on whether it's being driven or not and it shakes at various speeds. A diagnostic was completed and the code listed was for the torque converter. Since that time (1st week of February), I have not been able to drive the vehicle. This is the only vehicle in my household. I am still having to make payments on it and cannot use it. KIA has had a recall in the past issued in June 2020 for a specific timeframe of vehicles produced between May 18, 2020 - May 20, 2020 for the "Automatic transmission/Torque Converter Assembly Replacement". With this recall, KIA only listed 19 VIN's to associate this major issue with. The recall also stated to complete this action prior to the sale of the vehicle to prevent customer complaints. My car was manufactured in June 2019 and I purchased it mid year 2020. If KIA has sold thousands of Tellurides since that time, how can only 19 be affected? I have attached a copy of the previous recall. Once I receive an estimate, I can also forward it. I also have copies of every/all maintenance completed since getting this vehicle to show everything has been completed on time & by a KIA dealership in my area (it doesn't let me upload this file). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #4

Aug 142023

Telluride

  • miles
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated while her grand-daughter was driving with adaptive cruise control (ACC) mode set at 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and the steering wheel seized, causing the grand-daughter to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a road sign. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the grand-daughter was able to veer to the side of the road as the steering wheel became operable. The vehicle was towed to an autobody repair shop, who informed the contact that the EDR failed to display crash data. The grand-daughter went to the hospital later, and was informed that she had sustained a minor concussion, a disc in the back and the neck. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure, The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Gulf Breeze, FL, USA

problem #3

Apr 302019

Telluride

  • miles
Component Failure: Unsafe headlights, refusal of KIA corporate to address problem since vehicle was new. Component Failure: Unsafe headlights, cause Advance Driver Assistance Systems to malfunction. Failures include: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, and Pedestrian Avoidance. Safety risks: 1) Multiple near collisions with Pedestrians and bicyclists. 2). Emergency braking engaged at night by irrigation stream, leaves and other Non Hazards 3). Near collisions with Pedestrians at night 4). Erratic maneuvers by Lane Keep Assist at night. 5). Lane Keep Assist shuts down at intermittently at night. 6). Departure from road surface at night during turns 7). Headlights do not illuminate Stop signs, Speed Limit signs, or caution signs at night. 8). Near collisions with Pedestrians and Bicyclists at night during turns 9). Collisions with road debris at night during turns and straightaways. 10). Multiple curbed medians hit during turns. Dealers and KIA corporate state systems are working as designed. Dealers and KIA corporate refuse to address the problems with this car The only warning light you get is the Lane Keep Assist / Warning light starts blinking sometimes.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #2

Nov 112021

Telluride

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while the engine was idling and the brake pedal was being pressed for approximately 3 minutes, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a nearby snow plurer, lamp pole, and house stairs. During the incident, no injuries were reported. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.

- Great Barrington, MA, USA

problem #1

Jul 252020

Telluride

  • 4,900 miles
The vehical will not accelerate at freeway speeds and the engine RPM increases up to 6000 RPM with no or little acceleration when the gas peddle is depressed.. this also occurs at lower speeds, no or little acceleration while the engine RPM increases to 5000 RPM visible on the tachometer and heard from the engine noise. The transmission appears to be slipping or down shifting to many gears for the amount of fuel demand. The dealership witnessed this problem during a test drive and I showed them a vidio of the speedometer versus the tach reading while this problem was occurring. It has been 3 months and Kia still has no fix for this problem. It has nearly caused an accedent on one occation and a near miss headon colission while driving thru Oregon and trying to pass in a passing lane, on a vacation drive. This problem has persisted since day one of the vehical purchas and has been in for service of the problem on 3 occasions. Kia dealer says Kia has no known fix.

- Martinez, CA, USA

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