8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
61,000 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace both headlight assembly (6 reports)
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2020 Kia Telluride lights problems

lights problem

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2020 Kia Telluride Owner Comments

problem #13

Feb 072024

Telluride V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,250 miles

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

The high beams on my 2020 Telluride no longer work. Indicator says they are on but no difference in the beams.

Very dangerous driving situations at night due to low visibility

NEED HELP!!!!

- Tom D., Austin, US

problem #12

Apr 222022

Telluride EX

  • Manual transmission
  • 58,000 miles

The high beam lights failed prior to the 60,000 warranty. I requested assistance at the Kia dealer, but considered that they did not take this seriously. By the time I tried for the third time, the care was beyond the 60K warranty. I was told that the fix would be at least $2400. Now I am concerned that this is a problem that affects many of the 2020 models. This needs to be a recall situation.

- Pam R., Chapel Hill, NC, US

problem #11

Apr 142023

Telluride V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

This is ridiculous. One person at Kia said that these vehicles don't have high beams.

- Dana T., Nettleton, MS, US

problem #10

Aug 012022

Telluride S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

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

About 9 months ago, one of my high beams would not work. I went to Kia, purchased a replacement bulb for the headlights. At this time I did not realize how the high beam mechanism works, and of course buying a bulb did not do anything. Then, around November of 2022 I completely lost my ability to use high beams at all. And of course, anyone who has a Telluride will tell you the headlights for this vehicle are subpar at best. Horrible down road lighting straight from the factory. The headlights are unsafe from the get-go.

I ended up purchasing aftermarket bulbs which are much brighter and help quite a bit. I have not taken the car to Kia, all my research shows the headlight assembly for the high beams is plastic and shows to break quite early. This requires a new headlight assembly to be installed, since they cannot replace the arm that breaks for the high beams solely. As you can imagine, aftermarket headlight assemblies are not available and the cost I received for the headlights were in the upwards of $800+ each one. There is a class action lawsuit firing up from this problem and I have been contacted already by an attorney.

- Theresa R., Altamonte Springs, FL, US

problem #9

Feb 282023

Telluride

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

I have been having issues with the headlights for about a month. The high beams stopped working even though the dash states they are on. I went to the dealership today to have it looked at. I assumed it was in the switch but the technician stated I needed to replace both motors (?). I didn't even know headlights had motors. when I pressed him for more details he stated they are overheating. My telluride has 77K miles so it is out of warranty so I have to pay out of pocket. I asked if it was unusual for both to go out at the same time and he stated he didn't know. They didn't have the parts on hand and stated they would need to order them and would call me to set up an appointment once they are received in a few days. I just reviewed the estimate and am appalled at the cost. Over 3k for the parts and labor. I checked the internet and found that this seems to be a common problem with 2020 tellurides. Are there any updates on a possible recall coming?

- Launa C., New Port Richey, FL, US

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problem #8

Aug 012022

Telluride S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

I have had zero issues with this car then bam- warranty period expires and the high beam lights go out and the regular beam lights seem to be less bright as well BOTH AT the same time!!! I got out of a Cadillac SRX due to the cost of headlights and other parts and was told this was the best vehicle on the market. It has been and I love this vehicle more than expected. I took my car in to have fixed and was told it would be no less than $2400 to fix as both lights had to be fixed.

There was no explanation given as to why this happened at the same time. I had gotten off all the forums and sites that discussed issues with this vehicle because I had not had any problems whatsoever, now I see there are SEVERAL with the headlights. I have to make a decision to fix as I owned property in a rural area and really need these!!! Has anyone found a fix by ordering parts and putting on yourself? Had any success with notifying KIA and having them resolve?

- Sharlot S., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #7

Jan 102023

Telluride

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,500 miles

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

The high beams on the headlights no longer work.

While driving at night low beams provide low visibility and when I try to use high beam did not change at all from low beam.

There is a lot of complaints online and no recall what's KIA waiting for, they just going to wait till some accident happen!!!

I went to KIA Hollywood dealer to report it today 1/18/2023, they seem just to try to get as much money as they can from this situations, there's thousands of people with the same issue, and they fixing it changing the head light assembly, just do the work and call for the new assembly my car still is under warranty they will pay for it, don't try to charge me new light bulb, new fuses, new relays and on top of that they want me to pay them for the diagnosis, "MF AM TELLING YOU WHAT THE ISSUE IS" you should pay me to do your job, research!!!!!!!!!!!!

- David L., Miami, FL, US

problem #6

Nov 112022

Telluride S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

This is very dangerous and sounds like several others have had same issue - there needs to be a recall ASAP as it is not safe driving without high beams!

- tdanson, St. Augustine, US

problem #5

Aug 012022

Telluride S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I lost high beams in both headlights. I went ahead and upgraded to LED bulbs. That certainly has helped tremendously and I would advise anyone else to do the same, but it does not fix the high beams issue. I am out of warranty and the dealership is quoting around $3000 to replace them. I am doing my best to contact Kia about this issue. Just mark me down as one more person confirming this is a known issue!

Update from Sep 27, 2023: Following up on this issue. I did contact Kia warranty and they were very responsive and communicated with me the entire time they looked into the issue. It took a while, but they decided not to do a recall on this issue, however, they did extend the warranty on the headlights. This allowed me to be able to have both headlamp assemblies replaced while under the new warranty. I am pleased that Kia did not ignore this issue.

- Michael C., Arcadia, FL, US

problem #4

Oct 182022

Telluride EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Had our 2020 Kia Telluride in for an oil change and was informed that a mandatory safety update needed to be done for the front sensor. I of course said yes to having it done. Five days later we went away and on our way home, which was the first time driving in the dark since our dealership visit, the high beams no longer work on either headlight. The blue indicator light shows, but nothing changes in the brightness of the lights themselves.

I mentioned it today when I went in to have a recall fixed on our 2015 Sportage and was told they'd have to look into it, they've never heard of such a thing. I pulled up all the complaints about it and they said they would have to do a diagnostic appointment, then they would see if it was something they did, something covered under our extended warranty or if we'd have to pay for it. I know it's not a new car, but it's not that old and it's very well taken care of. How does something like that just go wrong all of a sudden and on both headlights?

- lamie, Oshkosh, US

problem #3

Jan 182022

Telluride V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

Headlights will not change to high beam. Dash indicator light shows bright but the headlights will not switch to bright. Definitely a hazard to driving, especially on back roads. Kia says there is no recall for this but it is definitely a problem with the 2020 Kia Telluride.

- BARNEY H., Middleton, TN, US

problem #2

Mar 012021

Telluride S 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

ordered this car and have had it nearly 2 years was great until about 6 months into owning it realized the bright lights were not working. replaced all lights, have taking it back to the dealership....and NOONE CAN FIGURE THE NO BRIGHT LIGHTS OUT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUDS. Didn't pay as much as I did to not have bright lights. Come on KIA figure this out.

- Jeff L., Jourdanton, US

problem #1

Nov 012021

Telluride S 3.2lV6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

My wife and I purchased a 2020 Telluride we have had this car 18 months and the high beams went out there is only 62000 miles on the car just 2000 miles out of the factory warranty we were upset that this happened so quickly but not worried because we bought an extended warranty. There at the Dealership the same day (Franklin KIA) we first took the car to Tullahoma KIA because it is closer to us which informed us the repair would be 2000 told us that several of our make and model have been in for the exact same issue and would not be covered by any means. advised us to call consumer affairs so we took it to franklin Kia They said the same thing I spoke with the store manager and asked him did he think it was fair to charge 40,000 for a vehicle and within two years have to spend 2000 for a repair to make your vehicle safe to drive? he then said He would take care of it Monday. He never called back We live in the country This is unsafe and they know it, they are selling unsafe cars for 40,000 each then getting their repair shops 2000 headlight jobs all at the same time. I want to start a class action lawsuit

- Charles O., Decherd, TN, US

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