RECALL 20V-436 - 2020 Telluride - Inoperative Trailer Brake Lights

[Schlegel]

The 2020 Kia Telluride is subject to a new recall, the automaker said in documents published with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Wednesday.

Telluride models equipped with Kia's Smart Cruise Control system will not illuminate a trailer brake light when towing. The trailer brake is the extra light that illuminates when drivers tow to warn other drivers the car ahead applied the brakes. While the trailer brake light will illuminate when a driver physically engages the brakes, it will not light up with the adaptive cruise control system engaged. The problem affects 86,921 vehicles.

2020 Kia Telluride recalled for faulty trailer brake lights

Tellurides with Kia's Smart Cruise Control system don't play nice when towing a trailer.

www.cnet.com

 

[jw_tx21]

The 2020 Kia Telluride is subject to a new recall, the automaker said in documents published with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Wednesday.

Telluride models equipped with Kia's Smart Cruise Control system will not illuminate a trailer brake light when towing. The trailer brake is the extra light that illuminates when drivers tow to warn other drivers the car ahead applied the brakes. While the trailer brake light will illuminate when a driver physically engages the brakes, it will not light up with the adaptive cruise control system engaged. The problem affects 86,921 vehicles.

2020 Kia Telluride recalled for faulty trailer brake lights

Tellurides with Kia's Smart Cruise Control system don't play nice when towing a trailer.

www.cnet.com

That's a very fast recall perhaps due to the work of several forum members who demonstrated this issue. Glad it will be resolved!

Definitely demonstrates that Kia is willing to do what they need to do to resolve widespread issues.

 

[bogie]

See attached documents (3 documents from NHTSA combined into one PDF)

Happy to say this is a result of an email I wrote to Kia on April 27, 2020 (6 weeks earlier than indicated in the chronology statement); a complaint I filed with NHTSA after Kia delayed replying to me several times and the efforts of others encouraged to also write Kia

 

[2020Telly]

Aren't all 2020 Telluride's equipped with the Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop and Go (SCC) system? I thought that was standard on the LX and included on ever higher trim.

Personally, I'm not sure how reasonable this is, Kia could have perhaps added a new drive mode for "towing" on the drive mode knob. Perhaps the tow drive mode could just disable the Smart Cruise Control, set the drive mode to something like Smart mode, disabled autostart-stop, disabled the rear parking sensor and turn on the auto-hold. Not even sure if the software/electronics would allow for such a dynamic change.

I avoid cruise control when towing because I want to keep my foot on the gas when towing to make sure I can feel the trailer. Most manufacturers suggest not using cruise control when towing especially if you are going up and down some hills. You could be stressing the transmission by letting it think it's driving without a trailer and working harder with cruise control.

Either way, I'm glad they are fixing this as it could be recipe for disaster if you think your brakes are working and they aren't.

I just took a look at the recall report: RECALL 20V-436 - 2020 Telluride - Inoperative Trailer Brake Lights

The fix is to install an additional wiring harness . . . could this fix include the same as the 7-pin wiring harness that would supply trailer brake singles to the 12-pin molex connector?

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[bogie]

Noticed after posting this - the chronology indicates June 12 as the first date Kia mentions 'evaluating' the problem. Funny - posted my complaint to NHTSA on June 8... hmmm, coincidence... And this after sending emails to Kia on 4/27, 5/14, 5/26, 6/23 & 6/30 - with no reply of substance - just acknowledging getting my email and "... pass[ing] your inquiry to our technical team for review".

Now for some wishful thinking - wouldn't it be nice if KIA replaced the wiring with the new 7 pin harness -- yeah, I know extremely wishful... Sent an email to my contact suggesting it...

Just glad it's getting fixed...

 

[jw_tx21]

Noticed after posting this - the chronology indicates June 12 as the first date Kia mentions 'evaluating' the problem. Funny - posted my complaint to NHTSA on June 8... hmmm, coincidence... And this after sending emails to Kia on 4/27, 5/14, 5/26, 6/23 & 6/30 - with no reply of substance - just acknowledging getting my email and "... pass[ing] your inquiry to our technical team for review".

Now for some wishful thinking - wouldn't it be nice if KIA replaced the wiring with the new 7 pin harness -- yeah, I know extremely wishful... Sent an email to my contact suggesting it...

Just glad it's getting fixed...

Yes, it appears the NHTSA was the trigger because left alone, it would be in violation of federal safety standards. So, it's kind of a big deal from Corporate's perspective. They should have paid attention to your April email... but it still would have ended in a recall. No other option.

 

[bogie]

They should have paid attention to your April email... but it still would have ended in a recall. No other option.

Agreed on all counts...

 

[bogie]

Now for some wishful thinking - wouldn't it be nice if KIA replaced the wiring with the new 7 pin harness -- yeah, I know extremely wishful... Sent an email to my contact suggesting it...

Got a reply already - totally ignored the 7 pin suggestion... exactly what I expected.

Did indicate it was going to be a software update - I have to assume in addition to the additional wire harness described in the recall documentation.

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[mitchkramez]

Got a reply already - totally ignored the 7 pin suggestion... exactly what I expected.

Did indicate it was going to be a software update - I have to assume in addition to the additional wire harness described in the recall documentation.

I wonder if this is what delayed the towing package options for 2021s until recently...

 

[ksyrah]

I love that the letter was addressed to Mr. J.S. (Jurassic) Park.........

 

[bogie]

Did indicate it was going to be a software update - I have to assume in addition to the additional wire harness described in the recall documentation.

Asked for clarification, the software update is actually for 'another car'. It is a wiring change.

Also asked again about the 7-pin... this time clearly was told 'No' ☹.

But, again, the safety issue is being fixed.

 

[Tobstertx3]

Great Job @bogie.

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[Tellthemride]

Gotta love it when the NHSTA delivers results.

 

[TheNip73]

Hopefully nobody is towing with scc on...

 

[Gottago]

I wonder if KIA could offer a 7 pin upgrade at the dealer for a reasonable price so there are no warranty issues.

 

[bogie]

@Gottago - would be nice... but, based on the response I got from the Kia VP of customer service, wouldn't hold my breath... JMHO...

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[Stoney]

See attached documents (3 documents from NHTSA combined into one PDF)

Happy to say this is a result of an email I wrote to Kia on April 27, 2020 (6 weeks earlier than indicated in the chronology statement); a complaint I filed with NHTSA after Kia delayed replying to me several times and the efforts of others encouraged to also write Kia

Great work! I can't get them to reply to me regarding what Mode should be used for towing. All they say is "Drive" (did they think I was going to tow in Reverse?? Not with that rear parking sensor beeping at me, lol!) and to look in the manual (which says nothing about what Mode).

 

[TheNip73]

Great work! I can't get them to reply to me regarding what Mode should be used for towing. All they say is "Drive" (did they think I was going to tow in Reverse?? Not with that rear parking sensor beeping at me, lol!) and to look in the manual (which says nothing about what Mode).

I would consider sport to keep the revs a little higher.

 

[Midtown10105]

I’m still trying to get my trailer up and running. I promise not to hijack anyone’s post Since this is related to this topic, I thought I would just throw it out there.

I recently noticed the trailer lights are not aligned. My mechanic can’t seem to figure it out. I have a 2020 EXP no tow option/package.

I purchased the tow harness installed and have The 4 pin to seven spliced. All colors are matched. However, left turn signal on car makes right turn signal on trailer, right turn signal makes the hazard light go on. I also noticed a light bass soi dcoming out of the trailers speakers when I tested the left turn signal. I have a 2021 wolf pup 16BHS. Hazard and brake lights are ok.

Any ideas what’s up?

Thanks in advance,
Dee

 

[2020Telly]

I’m still trying to get my trailer up and running. I promise not to hijack anyone’s post Since this is related to this topic, I thought I would just throw it out there.

I recently noticed the trailer lights are not aligned. My mechanic can’t seem to figure it out. I have a 2020 EXP no tow option/package.

I purchased the tow harness installed and have The 4 pin to seven spliced. All colors are matched. However, left turn signal on car makes right turn signal on trailer, right turn signal makes the hazard light go on. I also noticed a light bass soi dcoming out of the trailers speakers when I tested the left turn signal. I have a 2021 wolf pup 16BHS. Hazard and brake lights are ok.

Any ideas what’s up?

Thanks in advance,
Dee

Do you have another vehicle with 4 pin to test your trailer? Or do you have a different trailer to test your Telluride 7-pin? Just to narrow down the vehicle or the trailer then narrow down 4-pin install vs 4-pin to 7-pin harness install? With a mil to meter your mechanic should be able to narrow it down. I’m guessing it’s the wires getting crossed where the 4-pin connects to the 7-pin conversion.