2020 Kia Telluride electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V436000Jul 28, 202086,921 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). When a trailer is connected to the vehicle, the trailer brake lights will not illuminate when the SCC applies the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional wire harness to the main fuse box to signal the trailer brake lights, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC194.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 29, 2026MITowedElectrical SystemEngineLighting

   Everything with paint that everyone else with the pearl color is dealing with flaked all off .. electrical my seat caught on fire ... lighting headlights constantlyfail have changed multiple.. I can keep going on but there isnt enough time or room

   NHTSA complaint #11767667 · source
2. Filed Sep 10, 2026WAElectrical 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 · source
3. Filed Jul 28, 2026PAElectrical 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 · source
4. Filed Jul 10, 2026INElectrical 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…

   NHTSA complaint #11749537 · source
5. Filed Jul 9, 2026ILElectrical SystemSteering

   Vehicle has 75,000 miles. The knuckle on the steering column and the rack and pinion became worn out causing the steering wheel to be loose and jump at high speeds. Mirrors would stop opening randomly. Rear camera stopped working making it very difficult to view when backing up. Replacing the camera did not work, the harness was tested to be ok. The only other option is the software in the head unit. This is the 2nd head unit as the first one was replaced for a failed…

   NHTSA complaint #11749447 · source
6. Filed Jun 30, 2026100,000 miMOTowedElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH on the highway, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the battery warning light was flickering and the vehicle lost power. The contact was able to coast the vehicle into a parking lot off the highway where the vehicle remained. The contact replaced the battery; however, approximately one hour later while driving 50-55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost power and shut off. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11747463 · source
7. Filed Jun 18, 2026ILElectrical System

   The wind deflector and track assembly on the sunroof of our 2020 Kia Telluride (56K miles) broke when trying to open the sunroof and Kia Corporate is unwilling to cover the cost of the repairs ($4,000). Because the track assembly cracked, the dealer had to break another part just to get the sunroof glass to sit flush, and it is only being held down with Gorilla tape. This happened in the drive way at our home and thankfully not on the highway at high speeds. We already had…

   NHTSA complaint #11745064 · source
8. Filed Jun 17, 2026NYElectrical System

   I have a 2020 Kia telluride. On 6/14/2026 I opened my sun roof and was unable to close it. I called my local dealership and was advised that they were unable to look at my car for at least 2 weeks. I am currently having it repaired by a licensed auto shop which will cost me $3800.00

   NHTSA complaint #11744694 · source
9. Filed Jun 12, 2026CAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   A continuation from my last post. I brought my car back to the dealer.The worker came out to inspect my car and he lifted the hood and he said I had a loose negative battery cable and that I had the wrong battery in my car. He said that might be the cause of the flickering lights.My car was at the dealership for three days before I was called to come pickup my car.He stated they found another service update that my car needed P0471 and that cleared my check engine light and…

   NHTSA complaint #11743764 · source
10. Filed Jun 10, 2026OHElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

    Not due to recalls. My entire car was malfunctioning over the backup camera. Every system was being displayed on my dashboard as all lights were on. Turning signals and four ways would not work, my steering became tight and hard to turn.

    NHTSA complaint #11743142 · source
11. Filed May 26, 2026OHElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    The sunroof wind deflector broke and as a result the sunroof was jammed open. In order to close the top I had to break the mechanism and now the sunroof, while mostly shut, still shifts free occasionally when driving.

    NHTSA complaint #11740122 · source
12. Filed May 22, 2026OHElectrical SystemEngineSteering

    Following a recent $9,000 engine replacement performed by an authorized Kia dealership, my vehicle suffered a catastrophic, simultaneous mechanical and electronic systems failure while in operation. Without warning, the vehicle triggered the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) and entered "Limp Home Mode," severely restricting vehicle power. Immediately following this, the vehicle experienced a total loss of essential safety and driving controls: Steering Failure: The power…

    NHTSA complaint #11739467 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology