1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned? The windshield wiper system failed. The design of the cowl area (under the hood) allows snow and sleet to accumulate and become compacted. This creates a physical obstruction that prevents the wiper linkage from moving, leading to total wiper failure. • Availability: The system is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was safety put at risk? Safety was compromised due to a sudden loss of visibility during inclement weather. The inability to clear snow and sleet from the windshield while driving created a blind operating environment, significantly increasing the risk of a crash or striking an unseen hazard. 3. Has the problem been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a dealership or independent service center. 4. Has the vehicle been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance? No. The vehicle and its components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives at this time. 5. Were there any warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure? No. There were no warning lamps, error messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The wipers stopped functioning only once the snow had compacted sufficiently under the hood to block the mechanism.
2020 Kia Telluride: windshield wiper failure
5 of the 781 complaints about the 2020 Kia Telluride describe windshield wiper failure.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Windshield wiper failure by model year
- 20254
- 20243
- 20231
- 20223
- 20217
- 20205
What owners say
After a few months from purchasing (9/2022), I noticed some weird electrical issues occurring. The first thing I noticed was that sometimes the rear wiper blades would turn on automatically when shifting in reverse when the wiper blades were off. I would turn the rear wiper blades on then off repeated times until they finally stayed in off mode. As time went on, then the drivers side window would roll down automatically after starting the vehicle, and it would not shut all the way after pressing the button. I would have to hold the up button when turning the engine off, just so the window would remain completely closed when parked. Sometimes, this would continue for a week or more...then it would go back to normal for a few months. These issues would continue and others started to arise such as the check engine lights, low battery etc. appearing while starting the vehicle. Sometimes it would say that the engine is on, when it wasn't...so I would hear a warning signal when trying to leave the vehicle with my key fob. I would have to press the stop engine button and wait for it to say that the engine is off. This evolved into the car struggling to start...with a repeated clicking noise being heard. All warning and hazard notifications appear on the main screen and the driver's side window rolls down by itself and it takes 5-7 minutes for it to start, but eventually does. This has been going on now for since March of 2024...so it's not a battery issue, or a starter issue...but based on the nature of these malfunctions...it is electrical issues...which can pose a serious safety threat...especially with a potential electrical fire. What are our options for a potential manufacturer recall? As of this writing, it took roughly 20 minutes to start my vehicle, as it is very cold in Rochester, NY. I recently had my vehicle fully serviced (8/25) and it wasn’t acting up at the time so they couldn’t pinpoint any electrical issues. I took videos of the incidents.
I have had been in several times to correct the recall, they noted the seat repaired under warrenty but the service advisor was stuck when retrieving my car. Headlights have need in twice and I’m being told the fix failed to correct the headlights. Wipers stop working intermittently and paint is down to bare metal along windshield and hood. This car is crap.. rear seat folds up when sitting on it and I am repiadmy told they don’t see a problem. Seats are not electric in the rear. This has a feature of an auto close from the back for loading. And it is triggered when my kids sit in it. Only the right rear captains chair.
We contacted Kia US after taking the Kia Telluride to a Kia service station for an oil change.The service tech told us that they were not going to do an oil change because,”the Telluride was a ticking time bomb.” This was said in front of the Kia service Mgr.We were very nervous driving the vehicle because no one explained what that meant.Shortly after the service appointment, the Telluride’s engine caught on fire.We call Kia US that same day to open up a case.We explained all the issues we had with the Telluride (windshield issues, headlight issues, main display screen issues, luggage rack issues, sunroof, drive shaft, wiper fluid filter issues), to include the engine. After paying an attorney to provide all documents that Kia US requested from us, including every oil change receipt for the Telluride, Kia US only offered to only pay for the parts for the driveshaft/engine fire issues. To make matters worse, the Kia service department said that the 100+ parts needed to repair the engine, were on back order. Our Telluride’s engine caught fire in April and Kia US has done nothing for us, even though the issues are under 2 recalls. This is unacceptable for a manufacturer to ignore recalls, especially when it comes to the safety of people, families and children. We contacted Kia US for 6 months with no help from them. We sent registered/certified letters to Kia US executives, legal Dept, Kia Finance and the last communication from Kia US was that they are not doing anything for us- no repairs for the recalls, even though we mentioned the recalls associated with our Vin/Telluride. They are completely disregarding the entire situation. Since then, we have had to find another option for transportation since we have been without the Telluride for 6 months. Kia US needs to take back the Telluride and either provide us with a safe/working vehicle or reimburse us for what we have spent on the Telluride. Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (
Purchased this vehicle and have under 2000 miles, the vehicles windshield has received three chips and seems to be weak (thin) glass. I'm afraid if struck while driving with an object other than a small pebble it'll fail and place my families life in danger. The wiper sprayer on the drivers side window when driving fails to spray over the drivers view. It pools at the lower part of the wiper blade and lower left corner of the window at road and hwy speeds. This causes excess amounts of fluid to be sprayed in order to clean the window. The chips on the window are small and two are in the drivers view. I've had the spray tip replaced at the dealer but it continues the same pattern.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Sunroof wind deflector arms and mechanism parts replacement (WTY049)
- Owner notification (WTY049)
- Reimbursement form (WTY049)
- Dealer principal memo (WTY049)
- Dealer parts and service manager memo (WTY049)
- Question and answer (WTY049) –
- Sunroof wind deflector arms and mechanism parts replacement - (closed & superseded by BOD360/WTY049)
- Datc heater operation logic improvement
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2020 Kia Telluride wipers
Is windshield wiper failure a common problem on the 2020 Kia Telluride?
5 of 781 owner complaints about the 2020 Kia Telluride (1%) mention windshield wiper failure. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Kia Telluride?
There are 0 recalls and 14 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 Kia Telluride
Headlights 168Oil consumption 87Windshield crack 77Engine failure 56Check engine light 50Stalling 38Sunroof shattered 21Loss of power 15Knocking 14Collision warning 13Fire or smoke 13Jerking 10Misfire 10Slipping 10Adaptive cruise 9Hesitation 9Warning lights 8Backup camera 6Overheating 6Won't start 6Transmission failure 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2020 Kia Telluride?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history