High Beam Headlights May Fail

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

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

Risk / consequence

Inoperable high beam headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Chronology of events

1. Jan 4, 2023

   January 4, 2023 NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) contacts Kia North America (Kia NA) Safety Office regarding complaints of loss of high beams involving the 2020MY Telluride.

2. Jan 11, 2023

   January 11, 2023 Kia NA Safety Office provides technical information pertaining to 2020MY Telluride headlamp assembly, overview of inoperable high beam condition and how condition does not impact low beam operation, and its analysis of the VOQs.

3. Jan 27, 2023

   January 27, 2023 ODI opens Preliminary Evaluation (PE23-002) to investigate complete loss of high beams with no re-engagement or warning resulting in reduced visibility.

4. Feb 15, 2023

   February 15, 2023 ODI issues PE23-002 information request (IR) letter to Kia NA Safety Office.

5. Mar 1, 2023

   March 1, 2023 Kia NA Safety Office provides additional engineering information of inoperable high beam condition to ODI during meeting and identifies plan to extend warranty to 15 years / 150,000 miles to address customer satisfaction issue.

6. Mar 29, 2023

   March 29, 2023 Kia NA Safety Office submits its response to PE23-002 IR letter and concludes loss of high beams does not create an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety given the low customer usage rate of high beams, the continued operability of the low beams, and NHTSA’s precedent and enforcement history of issue.

7. Apr 25, 2023

   April 25, 2023 Kia NA notifies owners of warranty extension campaign. Kia NA Safety Office continues to monitor field data.

8. Oct 13, 2023

   October 13, 2023 In an effort to increase customer awareness, Kia NA renotifies owners of the extended warranty campaign.

9. Jan 24, 2024

   January 24, 2024 – ODI meets with Kia NA Safety Office to review data received

10. Feb 18, 2024

    February 18, 2024 after IR response. ODI requests Kia NA Safety Office consider conducting recall of the 2020MY Telluride equipped with halogen headlamps in light of continuing customer complaints and new approach to evaluating loss of high beams issues. Kia NA Safety Office updates field data and identifies 4,975 warranty claims, 839 techline cases and 543 customer complaints [dates of receipt

11. Mar 1, 2019

    3/1/2019—2/15/2024]. No injuries or fatalities. Three (3) alleged but unconfirmed deer strikes. 1

12. Feb 19, 2024

    February 19, 2024 Kia NA decides to recall certain 2020MY Telluride vehicles equipped with halogen headlamp assemblies. 2

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

APR 22, 2024 - APR 22, 2024

Owner notification

APR 25, 2024 - APR 25, 2024

Documents (24)