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Kia Telluride Trailer Brake Lights Don't Illuminate

NHTSA campaign 20V436000 · Reported Jul 28, 2020 · Kia Motors America

medium How serious is it? About this label

Other drivers may not be warned that you're slowing down while towing, which increases the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V436000
Reported to NHTSA	Jul 28, 2020
Manufacturer	Kia Motors America
Part affected	Electrical System:wiring
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some Telluride SUVs have trailer brake lights that don't turn on when the vehicle's smart cruise control automatically applies the brakes. This only happens when a trailer is hitched to the vehicle. Because the trailer's brake lights stay dark, drivers behind you aren't warned that you're slowing down, which affects other traffic sharing the road with you and your trailer.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included.
2. Contact a Kia dealer (1-800-333-4542) to schedule the repair.
3. The repair — adding a wire to signal the trailer brake lights — is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 20V436000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2020 Kia Telluride

Who to contact

Kia — official Kia recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-333-4542

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Kia Electrical System Recalls Involve Fires, Power Loss, and Displays · all 19 Kia recalls in this area

Other Kia Telluride recalls

Jul 2, 2026Kia Telluride Power Seat Motor Fire Riskcritical
Jun 2, 2026Kia Telluride Driver Seat Belt May Not Extendhigh
Mar 6, 2026Kia Telluride Rear Seat Belt Buckle May Not Latchhigh
Feb 23, 2026Kia Telluride Seat Frame May Not Restrain Occupanthigh
Oct 31, 2025Kia Telluride Spare Tire May Impair Brakingmedium
Jul 28, 2025Kia Telluride door trim molding can peel off vehiclemedium

All 19 Telluride recalls

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Summary: 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."
Safety risk: Inoperative trailer brake lights can fail to warn other drivers that the vehicle is slowing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.