2020 Kia Telluride: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Lights · GA

LED running light of driver's side headlamp assembly inoperable On 10/14/24 BOTH headlamp assemblies were under recall warranty and replaced at Sons Kia in McDonough GA. On 10/8/25 I returned to Sons Kia for service and to have the LED checked on the driver's side as it was no longer operable, less than a year after replacement. I was advised there was no warranty on the LED running light but only the halogen bulb. They priced this headlamp assembly replacement cost at $1169. I believe Kia should accept responsibility of the failure of the new assembly that they sent a recall for and replace this one assembly at no charge to the customer. Kia Customer Service stated this was under warranty but denied by dealership service manager

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

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

Filed Aug 22, 2026 · Lights · TX

The factory-installed driver/passenger side LED headlight assembly suffered a sudden, total internal electrical failure while driving at night, causing an immediate loss of forward visibility and creating a severe crash hazard. This is a known, systemic manufacturing defect affecting premium trims (SX/SX-Prestige) of the 2020 Kia Telluride. The housing seals degrade prematurely, allowing condensation to become trapped inside the unit. This moisture corrodes the internal circuit boards and shorts out the electrical modules, completely disabling the high beams, low beams, and running lights. Because these LED units are entirely sealed, they cannot be serviced or repaired by changing a bulb; the entire expensive structural component must be replaced. Kia is fully aware of 2020 Telluride headlight failures and issued Safety Recall SC299 (the federal safety agency Campaign 24V148000) to address them. However, Kia arbitrarily limited that safety recall to lower trims utilizing halogen assemblies. Premium trims utilizing LED assemblies are experiencing the exact same catastrophic loss of nighttime illumination due to internal electrical failures, yet owners are being forced to pay out-of-pocket to fix an inherent safety defect. the federal safety agency needs to mandate that Kia expand Campaign SC299 to include all 2020 Telluride trim levels equipped with LED headlight assemblies before this widespread visibility failure causes a fatal nighttime collision.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Lights · PA

SC299 (high‑beam headlight failure) is actually a safety defect tied to visibility and part of a recall which my telluride falls just outside of

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Lights · PA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the high beam headlights failed to illuminate as intended, and the vehicle shuddered before losing automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the warning lights failed to illuminate as designed when the engine oil level was low. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone, where the relay and high beam headlights were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign: 24V148000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Lights · OH

The headlights on this car are pointed too high. When driving on the road at night vehicles coming the other way often assume you have your bright lights on and flash you with their bright lights which can temporarily blind you - obviously a big safety problem! If this only happened once in a while I'd say no big deal but it happens EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR! I've spoken with other 2020 Kia Telluride owners and they report the exact same problem. I've spoken to the Kia representative at our local dealer about this and his attitude was basically "not my problem". Please, tell Kia to fix this problem. Otherwise there will be accidents that could have been avoided. Thanks.

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Lights, Visibility · VA

It took 8 months to repair the Recall #SC299B HALOGEN HEADLAMP-BOTH. Repair was done 04/03/2025, which appears to have not last long as high beam is low again and I am afraid to drive in early morning, dusk, or evening due to the timid, low bearing high beams. This is very unsettling as we have made three complaints due to negligence and lack of efficiency for recall repair, being in an accident due to not seeing a deer run across and we hit it, as well as, failed state inspection due to light issues (twice) that negatively impacted financial stability and job security as one driver has to have a clear safety inspection in order to work. Kia corporate has been contacted 6 times via email and called back to discuss ongoing issues, however, there does not appear to be any resolution and/or willingness to discuss ongoing issues with our car. It would be nice to discuss this matter and find a solution that alleviates hardship this recall (and apparent lack of fix as lights continue to be an issue) and Kia dealer/company has made. We would appreciate being bought out and/or provided reimbursements and buyout. Either way, we hope others do NOT face the ongoing stress and issues telluride has given us. It is not ideal or fair to continue being fearful of the safety and reliability of our car despite company’s “attempt” of fixing it.

Filed Mar 21, 2025 · Lights · VA

I have had mi car in multiple shops and been told they can’t repair my headlights. The bulb keeps blowing and now the headlight highbeam doesn’t work and my state inspection is coming up next month and the corporate office says there nothing they can do till the part is available. I need my car fixed for my safety and my family’s safety. I don’t know what else to do

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Lights · 60,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Telluride. The contact received Kia Campaign Number: 296 for the "Halogen Headlamp High Beam". The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the high-beam lights failed to illuminate as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had gotten worse. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Lights, Transmission · KY

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? POWER TRAIN, OIL CONSUMPTION, CAMSHAFT POSITION , CIRCUIT SENSORS A X 4, HEADLAMPS HIGH BEAMS DO NOT FUNCTION.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAILS. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AFTER SUNSET IF I CANT SEE ROAD WHEN NEEDED MY HIGH BEAMS DID NOT FUNCTION I WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS. STILL AN ISSUE. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? YES about 4 times. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO BEFORE THE 4TH WEEK OF HAVING VEHICLE AFTER 3 WEEKS OF PURCHASE WITH NO OIL.I REPORTED IT TO Y SELLER WAS TOLD TO PAY TO FIX AT SERVICE BUT I DID NOT EXPECT TO BUY A FAULTY VEHICLE AFTER THE STRUGGLE WAS TO OBTAIN SUCH VEHICE FOR MY BUSINESS.

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Lights · CA

I brought veh to Covina Kia on 1-6-25 for recall (SC299B) of headlight high beams failure. George Arroyo refused to take my veh in telling me my warranty had expired. I told him the safety recall had to be addressed. I insisted mileage doesn’t not void a safety recall. He finally took veh in. My veh has been at dealership for 16 days and has not been touched. It is obvious dealership doesn’t want to perform recall because there is no money to be made for the technician and service advisor. I am getting automated texts but no person calls back to inform me about the exaggerated delays. I have filed a complaint with Kia Motors and situation has not changed, my vehicle is still parked at the dealership.

Filed Dec 14, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · ID · fire

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.