Model year guide

2020 Kia Telluride

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2020 Kia Telluride is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2020 Kia Telluride — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2020 Kia Telluride at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints718
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined21–23 mpg
Typical price$41,431

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2020 Kia Telluride recalls 6

Seat Belts:rear/other NHTSA Campaign #19V594000 · 13/08/2019

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the front passenger, second, and/or third row seats may not tightly secure a child restraint system in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect seat belt assemblies. The repair will also include replacing the driver's seat belt which has a non-U.S. specified label, with a U.S. specification seat belt. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The…

Electrical System:wiring NHTSA Campaign #20V436000 · 28/07/2020

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."

Fix: 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.

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #22V626000 · 15/08/2022

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Telluride vehicles potentially equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and a wiring harness extension. Dealers will also inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owne…

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #24V148000 · 26/02/2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Telluride vehicles. The high beam headlights may fail.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the high beam headlights, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC299.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft NHTSA Campaign #24V214000 · 20/03/2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged, which can result in vehicle roll away while in PARK.

Fix: Owners are advised to manually engage the emergency parking brake prior to exiting the vehicle until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were …

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust NHTSA Campaign #24V407000 · 05/06/2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2024. Owners may contact Kia cus…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2020 Kia Telluride common problems

Owners have filed 718 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2020 Kia Telluride safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2020 Kia TELLURIDE SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2020 Kia Telluride MPG & running costs

Combined21–23 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2020 Kia Telluride worth?

Low
$35,995
Typical price
$41,431
High
$48,850

From 14 comparable 2020 Kia Telluride listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2020 Kia Telluride costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,250
Fuel only$15,250
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2020 Kia Telluride trims & engines on record

Trims
LX · EX · S · SX
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl 291 hp

2020 Kia Telluride vehicles on record

Other Kia Telluride model years

2020 Kia Telluride — frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Kia Telluride have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Kia Telluride. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Telluride?

Owners have filed 718 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, power train.

What is the 2020 Kia Telluride safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2020 Kia Telluride an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Telluride get?

The 2020 Kia Telluride has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2020 Kia Telluride worth?

Comparable 2020 Kia Telluride listings run roughly $35,995–$48,850, typically around $41,431 (from 14 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.