general problems of the 2020 Kia Motor Telluride - part 2

For the past year to year ½ I have brought my car in for concerns with idle, hesitation when accelerating, stalling out, etc. This has put me in compromised situations when in traffic, at stop lights and when trying to accelerate to get on the highway. I was told it was fine, until it was not. Now my engine needs to be replaced. What I discovered in my car was their worksheet on issues that they never shared with me. Identified issues on this report: fault code 6, po300400 - history, cylinder misfire, po30500 - history, cylinder misfire po34100 when going back for a 'simple' 1000 mile oil check, I was told there was not enough oil loss to identify concern. When I checked my own oil after another 1000 miles, kia then pursued. In researching, there is a history of these engine problems and engines needing to be replaced with kia. This is unacceptable and has compromised safety and any value I hoped to have with my car.

On [xxx], my kia Telluride received a warranty engine replacement at greenway kia east in orlando, FL. Just two days later, on [xxx], the engine overheated while I was driving with my young child. The temperature warning light came on. I stopped immediately and opened the hood — there was no coolant in the system at all. This failure occurred immediately after a major engine replacement, suggesting that the dealer failed to fill or properly check the coolant system. I was left stranded near a daycare and had to call a third-party tow truck because kia roadside assistance estimated a 90–120 minute wait. This put my child and me in serious danger. Despite the dealer’s clear negligence, I was sent an invoice for $1,833. 77, blaming me for the damage. Upon retrieving the car on may 31, 2025, I personally checked under the hood — the coolant level was still below the min line. When I pointed this out, the service manager said, “we’re not required to top it off, but if that satisfies you, we’ll put some in. ” this is extremely unsafe and irresponsible, especially after a critical repair like an engine replacement. Later, the dealership even claimed to kia America that the engine was not replaced under warranty, contradicting their earlier confirmation. This kind of conflicting information, combined with unsafe practices and disregard for basic safety protocols, raises serious concerns about consumer safety and the dealership’s integrity. To make matters worse, kia America closed my case ([xxx]) on June 10 without notifying me or giving me a chance to respond. I received only one dropped call from an unknown number, and no voicemail or follow-up communication. A formal complaint was mailed to kia America on June 11, 2025, and I am currently waiting for their response. On June 12, 2025, I also filed a complaint with the better business bureau (bbb). Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

1) front sunroof exploded suddenly on highway while driving at 67 mph. Nothing hit the sunroof and there was no prior crack. The sunroof was inspected by our insurance appraiser and I can provide photos of the incident. 2) there was the sound of a loud "boom" followed by shattering glass raining down over my head (driver) and that of my teenage son (passenger seat) causing us to duck inside the car while driving down the highway at 67 mph. We could have swerved into traffic or off the road causing an accident and bodily harm. Additionally, the shattered glass itself could cause bodily injury. In our instance, the sunroof visor was closed, capturing the shards of glass. 3) yes. The problem was confirmed by an independent service center hired by our insurance company to replace the glass. 4) yes. The vehicle was inspected by an appraiser from our insurance company. 5) no. There was no warning and no prior symptoms of the problem.

Transmition- I started bringing it into the dealer around 80,000 miles because it was slipping and bucking (gears). Allegedly, they could provide warrenty coverage but could duplicate the problem. It is doing it more frequently and hesitates (drastically) which can cause an accident from behind. Yes, it was reproduced but as I stated, I was told, "they couldn't do 'anything about it'". It has been inspected multiple times at kia prior to 100k warrenty at one point, my check engine light kept coming on, then it just went off. There seems to be some major faulty component with this make, model and year. I have read many very similiar complaints, online and there seems to be chronilogical issues/problems that arise at certain miles. Everything I have read, it the exact same situation I have been having which is just geting worse by the day. However, I was blatently informed by kia, "they would not replace the transmition unless it went. " I think that is totally ridiculous, you wait until it goes and can cause an accident before you will fix/replace the part. I also read and heard from multiple mechanics that it could be the "failed torque converter" which was never mentioned from the dealer. I have also had issues with the cv axle and oil plastic housing.

While driving on the highway, the sunroof shattered. The sunroof glass exploded outwards not inwards.

The sunroof deflector tabs broke off and jammed the sunroof open. The sunroof is loose and I don’t feel safe driving the vehicle because it may dislodge and become a projectile.

I went to open my sunroof and it opened as normal but when I went to shut it, it’s started to make some noises and got stuck tilted open. It will not budge. I can be available for inspection. It’s a huge safety risk because the sunroof is tilted open and anything can fly into the car and hit someone’s head/body. Especially if driving on the highway at high speeds- the damage could be catastrophic. If I’m driving and a storm appears and the rain/hail could get into the car and cause damage as well as distract the driver and potentially cause an accident with other drivers. I took my car into my local dealership and they told me that the entire sunroof system would need to be replaced- no repair available. There were no warning lights/ issues that alerted me to a future problem.

Sunroof window comes off track due to guide anrms breaking and will not close . Dealer says only solution is to replace the whole frame.

Sunroof will not close. This is a know issues that kia is aware of, and they have created performance step for technicians and also created replacement. Consumers are having to pay out of pocket to have issues corrected. Wind deflector has broken and railling system as well. No open recall in the 2020 kia Telluride for this issue. Please view attached youtube video link of this issue. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The car is a 2020 kia Telluride. It was purchased in August 2023 at the time it was leaking oil took it back to the dealer and they replaced the housing put in a new filter and said all was good . For a year. It constantly needed oil took it back to the dealer, said that everything was fine. I would be driving and the car would stop. The oil lamp would come on and I would have to drive and put more oil in it every week. I was putting a quart of oil into the vehicle just about weekly because it seemed to be leaking oil and just a dying out. Just a few days ago after putting a quart of oil in I’m driving my vehicle and all of a sudden smoke comes out of the back a little bit out of the hood. It just stopped all the lights went on the car went dead. Had to call the police get the vehicle towed to the dealer at that point was told the engine had died. They want to put a new engine in the car which it’s a five year-old car. It should not need a new engine what is causing it to need a newengine. Ever since I purchased the car, it had oil problems so did the oil lead to engine failure. I know I’m not the only one that this has happened to every time I would take it back to the kia dealer. I was told everything‘s fine everything was not fine never got any warning lights or signals, except for when I was driving the car would literally sputter and stop at a light. I would have to restart it and then go get oil.

My vehicle has been repaired multiple times for leaking oil in different areas.

Paint peeling on the roof of vehicle, 5 years old, known problem to kia. White pearl vehicles, kia will do nothing to remedy this problem. It has been well known of an issue.

The white paint on our Telluride peeled and feel off for not apparent reason.

Subject: ongoing issue with excessive oil consumption – 2020 kia s v6 to whom it may concern, I am writing to formally express my concern and frustration regarding a recurring issue with my 2020 kia s v6 related to excessive oil consumption. Despite multiple visits to the dealership and attempted repairs, the issue remains unresolved and continues to affect the safety and reliability of my vehicle. Vehicle information: year: 2020 make: kia model: s v6 VIN: [xxx] current mileage: approximately 85,808 miles timeline of events: September 6, 2024 – oil change completed at kia dealership in easton. No prior issues reported at this time. [xxx] – after about a week of shaking and stuttering during acceleration, the vehicle shut off completely at a stoplight. Upon checking, the oil level was found to be empty. I added 6–7 quarts of oil. No oil warning light appeared on the dashboard at any time. January 14, 2025 – brought the vehicle to the easton kia dealership. Diagnosed with a broken and leaking oil filter housing, which was replaced. Another oil change was completed. [xxx] – after the engine light came on, I checked the oil at 77,021 miles and found it to be low again. I added 1 quart of oil. The engine light was later determined to be due to a loose gas cap. Once again, no oil warning light appeared. [xxx] – at 78,000 miles, I checked the oil, as advised by kia, to monitor consumption. The oil level was completely empty. I added another 6–7 quarts of oil. No warning light appeared on the dashboard. [xxx] -- kia for oil change and consumption test at 82,177 miles. Consumption was read after 1,000 miles and I was advised it was good. I was told to come back at 86,075 miles as per kia recommendation. [xxx] -- a few hundred miles before the deadline, at approx 85,790 miles I checked oil before a trip, it was empty. Again, no warning light came on the dashboard to warn me of low/no oil. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

-sunroof wind deflector arm spring broke and when opening sunroof it got stuck and DE-railed the entire passenger side arm making it loose and possible having the sunroof detached on high speeds. Sunroof would no longer close with switch -I was going on a trip and driving on highway, had to make a sudden stop to try close it as it was loose on one side of the arms. -have an appointmnet with dealer, but I am guessing they will not repair as it is out of warranty -no warning lights or messages.

October 2024 before the main incident oct 2024, I started noticing slight changes in the way my kia was operating: - delayed response to accelerate when at a light - tire sensors/ crash collision sensors - lane assist pulling my off the road or into on coming traffic (random) - intermittent power loss while driving. - lights not working properly. - high beams failed to operate in sept and was told by burlington wa kia there was not a fix for the recall, while there for service/oil change. - car going into parking brake when not activated. - when stopped in car is in drive, when starting to accelerate the car went in reverse causing me to hit a stump and partially tearing front bumper off. About a week after that incident I was driving home from store and car started randomly pulling car into oncoming lane. Thankfully there was not a vehicle at that time. Car then started having weird fluctuations with speedometer and dash info. Went from 24. 7 miles to gal to 38 and kept jumping, experienced more instances of power loss while in drive. Then all of sudden dashboard went haywire. Whole dash lit up and was switching from different drive modes. I started noticing an electrical burning smell and smoke coming from hood. I pulled over not even a mile from home and started to pull everything important from vehicle. Think the car was on fire under the hood. After several minutes of accessing the situation and smoke dissipated, I decided to try and get car home. As I put car in drive it again went in reverse. I put car in park again and then drive and was able to proceed and limp car home. I parked car and took video of the dash light party and video of putting car in drive and it changing randomly. There still was an electrical burn smell on outside and in cab of vehicle. When my husband arrived home I tried to start vehicle to show him and it wouldn't start. So, he thought maybe the battery fried and took bat in to napa and bought a new battery.

The sunroof snapped when opening appears the wind deflector had broken in the corners.

Paint peeling off car.

Sunroof wouldn’t slide back to open, but the back of the sunroof tilted opened. Now it doesn’t close completely and dealership said can’t close it and it would be $4700 to fix.

Paint peeling from 2020 kia Telluride. It seems to be a known issue with many kia Telluride owners experiencing the same paint defects. This is a serious quality issue, I've had many vehicles for 10+ years and never experienced the issues I'm having with this car. The car has under 50000 miles and for it to be peeling like this seems to be a manufacture defect. Kia has refused to fix the issue as they claim its not under warranty.

- pressed the moonroof button to open and the panel misaligned and will not open or return to closed position. - with the moonroof ajar I'm am unable to drive in enucleate or raining weather - dealership is backlogged and tells me I would have to leave my car for 3 for a diagnosis and wait addition days for the parts to arrive and repair to be made - no warning messages, sounds or symptoms. First time this has happened and its locked open in misalignment.

The center infotainment screen has turned green. Sometimes a hazy green, othertimes almost a solid green which affects the back up camera system when you are trying to back up and not hit anyone or anything. I have brought to the dealership and they stated the head unit is defective and needs replacement. I elevated to kia customer care and they stated that because it is out of the 36,000 mile warranty they would not help. I even stated that as car is not a newer car was not asking for a brand new unit, but asked if they would at least put in a cheaper re-manufactured unit due to the safety issue and they denied that as well. I am on the kia Telluride forum and multiple other people are having this issue. This is a defective part and as it is related to a safety issue needs to be replaced and covered by kia. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The sunroof became stuck while attempting to open. It would not close and further inspection showed that parts of the sunroof had broken. This seems to be a bigger issue.

Vehicle began having issues around 60,000 miles. Stutters and slips between 2nd and 3rd gear. When on an incline the issue is much more prevalent. On a steep incline, the vehicle is like lurching it is so prevalent and it feels as though the vehicle is going to give up. Around 45 mph, the vehicle begins vibrating; as speeds increase, the shaking (left to right) becomes increasingly violent. At times, it feels as though the vehicle is going to shake off the road. The issues I primarily when accelerating, and when the gas pedal is released, the shaking slows almost to a stop. Tires, balance, and alignment checked multiple times over the course of the issue and tires are changed seasonally. Took to dealership multiple times to be told there was no issue with the vehicle and it was operating properly. Just over 100k miles, back at the dealership and there is suddenly an issue found. Was told at dealership that passenger side front axle inner race is damaged and needs replaced. Took vehicle to local mechanic since dealership had jerked us around so much over the issues, not repairing, keeping car for extended amounts of time without a loaner vehicle, etc. Local mechanic did a lot of research. This is a common complaint of the Telluride and kia is aware but is not doing anything about it. Mechanics recreated issue immedately said rear driveshaft had movement it shouldn't and replaced. They also serviced the transfer case and transmission. There is a TSB issued on this, but research suggests that it is not resolving the problems and kia dealerships are not acknowledging the issue until out of warranty and TSB doesn't cover the repairs even though it is faulty manufacturing.

The wind deflector/bug guard on the sunroof broke and pieces from the broken mechanism proceeded to lodge themselves throughout the track of the sunroof causing the entire track system to break/malfunction. There are several screws that were snapped from the plastic track, which then left the sunroof glass “bouncing” and unsecured on the car. If this was not noticed prior to hitting the highway or driving with any sort of speed I am confident the sunroof would have shattered causing a hazards for myself and children in the vehicle or flown off the car causing a hazard to others on the road. The car is currently at a kia dealership being looked at, to which they suggested this because it’s becoming more and more “common”. Additionally it is not a cheap fix, quoted just under $4000 for parts and labor. Absolutely no warning lights or indicators stating the sunroof was “open” or malfunctioning. Even once it was no longer attached to the track/bracket system it was not triggering the light indicating it was open like it does normally and with all other doors/windows.

The paint on my pearl white 2020 Telluride is peeling off in sheets in the roof. The car has less than 100,000 miles and should not be doing this. Multiple people including the ones in a lawsuit with kia have had this problem and it needs to be addressed!.

Vehicle started on fire and burned up while parked. Fire came from the engine compartment. Unknown from exact location in engine compartment.

Unknown- my 2020 Telluride doesn’t even have 60,000 miles on it. I have only used the sunroof a handful of times and realized it won’t open all the way when I tried it. Realized there’s a metal piece that’s connected with plastic that has snapped off. After searching about it, I’ve seen so many people comp about this same issue and how expensive it is to fix. Why hasn’t there been a recall on this if so many are having the same issue?.

While driving the vehicle I opened the sunroof. The sunroof appeared to be stuck with a metal object attached to the wind reflector popped off and came inside the vehicle. Had it been closer to my face it could have caused grave danger, if it had struck my eyes. The piece appears to have attached to the wind reflector and frame of sunroof.

Sunroof went off track and will not close. Took it to the dealership and it will need a totally new sunroof assembly totaling $5,000 because the sunroof got off track on its own.

The back self-leveling shock absorbers have failed. Even the slightest bump has my back passengers in danger of hitting their heads. In reading various forums, this is a problem with the 2020 Tellurides with the tow package.

2020 kia Telluride snow white pearl paint chipping on top of windshield exposing primer. Known issue regarding kia and white paint colors.

There is no incident but there has been an interim recall notice on my car since February. This is the recall number 24v148. I rent this car out as part of my business and this recall is blocking me from being able to rent it out since February (6 months). Please get this resolved.

Sunroof original from kia. Track has broken and it had no out of ordinary use. I can understand seals, but the track of the sunroof should exceed any other issue.

The a/c system failed due to either corrosion or leaking at a fitting(dealer has told us two different things). This is a 2020 car with a little over 100k miles, there is no reason for a failure due to corrosion or due to a leaking fitting. This is poor assembly, faulty factory parts, or faulty design. The coolant used (1234yf) is flammable and could pose a safety hazard when it leaks. Photo attached that dealer provided for leak location.