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

[Stoney]

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

 

[Stoney]

Your suggestion as to adding a towing mode that would enable/disable the functions that need it is exactly what is needed! They marketed the Telly as a great "off road, towing" vehicle, without equipping it with what was needed. I expect there will be a class action at some point so they may as well start working on a fix now. It's not as if a test drive would have revealed the issue of having the rear parking sensor constantly alerting when a trailer is attached.

Does anyone know if the 2021s have addressed these issues? I wonder how difficult a retrofit would be.

 

[Stoney]

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

The trouble is, we don't know what the factory recommends. Some people believe that front wheel drive is best for towing. Others the Smart mode so the vehicle can adjust to trailer towing needs. And others recommend the sport to keep the revs higher. What is most important - and more important, what is best for the vehicle? The last thing I want to have to do is to have transmission problems and Kia saying it's not covered by the warranty because I used the wrong mode for towing, so I really want a verification from Kia so that if anything does go wrong, I won't get a denial of warranty coverage for subjecting the transmission to abuse. (That may sound far fetched, but having dealt with insurance and warranties where they seem to look for reasons to deny coverage).

 

[Midtown10105]

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.

Thanks For the suggestion NC. Will also talk to my mechanic- he wants me to bring it in. The issue is pulling the trailer out of my driveway- it’s a major PITB. Will drive the wire over when available.

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[TheNip73]

The trouble is, we don't know what the factory recommends. Some people believe that front wheel drive is best for towing. Others the Smart mode so the vehicle can adjust to trailer towing needs. And others recommend the sport to keep the revs higher. What is most important - and more important, what is best for the vehicle? The last thing I want to have to do is to have transmission problems and Kia saying it's not covered by the warranty because I used the wrong mode for towing, so I really want a verification from Kia so that if anything does go wrong, I won't get a denial of warranty coverage for subjecting the transmission to abuse. (That may sound far fetched, but having dealt with insurance and warranties where they seem to look for reasons to deny coverage).

This is called over analysis.

All of the options have trade offs. Pick your poison and move on.

I would advise against eco as the lethargic acceleration is a safety hazard in my opinion.

Life is a series of decisions for you to make. As much as you want the factory to make the decision for you, they clearly aren’t interested In doing that. Keep the pressure up to see if you can get something, but at the same time, use your best judgement for now.

 

[2020Telly]

This is called over analysis.

All of the options have trade offs. Pick your poison and move on.

I would advise against eco as the lethargic acceleration is a safety hazard in my opinion.

Life is a series of decisions for you to make. As much as you want the factory to make the decision for you, they clearly aren’t interested In doing that. Keep the pressure up to see if you can get something, but at the same time, use your best judgement for now.

If “smart” mode worked as it should that should be all that is needed for the drive mode so the vehicle can decide. But I would still disable SCC and not use the auto-brake so my foot was actually on the pedal when towing.

 

[jw_tx21]

Your suggestion as to adding a towing mode that would enable/disable the functions that need it is exactly what is needed! They marketed the Telly as a great "off road, towing" vehicle, without equipping it with what was needed. I expect there will be a class action at some point so they may as well start working on a fix now. It's not as if a test drive would have revealed the issue of having the rear parking sensor constantly alerting when a trailer is attached.

Does anyone know if the 2021s have addressed these issues? I wonder how difficult a retrofit would be.

You can turn off the rear parking sensors - read the manual. Or press the parking sensors button below shifter that has a "P" on it.

 

[Stoney]

You can turn off the rear parking sensors - read the manual. Or press the parking sensors button below shifter that has a "P" on it.

Thanks - still learning all the buttons - especially the annoying ones you have to reset every time you turn the car on. But still, would be better if they could shut off automatically using a "tow" mode.

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[Stoney]

Thanks For the suggestion NC. Will also talk to my mechanic- he wants me to bring it in. The issue is pulling the trailer out of my driveway- it’s a major PITB. Will drive the wire over when available.

On ours, it turned out the adapter had been miswired. Only when testing each blade was it revealed that the bottom 2 blade wires had been reversed.

 

[Midtown10105]

Thanks - still learning all the buttons - especially the annoying ones you have to reset every time you turn the car on. But still, would be better if they could shut off automatically using a "tow" mode.

Same Here.

 

[Midtown10105]

On ours, it turned out the adapter had been miswired. Only when testing each blade was it revealed that the bottom 2 blade wires had been reversed.

Thanks. Good to know it’s not just me.

 

[2020Telly]

Has anyone received a recall notice letter yet? It might be early as I thought I read owners would be notified in September.

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[bogie]

From the Recall Report-

Description of Recall Schedule : The dealer notification is scheduled for September 2, 2020, and the owner notification is scheduled for September 10, 2020.

So I'd guess mid-Sep before we see it...

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Update has been made to the PDF attachment in post #3.

 

[dznyfan4778]

The recall shows up now on the App and when I go to my Dealer's services portal to schedule an appointment.

 

[bogie]

The 'repair' is not very elegant - a scotch-lock to a wire in the fuse panel, with a wire run to a connector in the left kick panel, where a wire is cut, with the added wire scotch-locked to side of the cut wire that leads rearward...

Not elegant at all...

I offered to supply posi-locks and was told they have to use the parts from KIA to satisfy the recall (apparently, even if not the best available).

At least the trailer lights will work properly - I'll find out Tuesday - taking mine in for:
- 2nd oil change
- Trailer lights recall
- SW update for voice recognition TSB 190
- Rear washer nozzle TSB 199
- Rear door shade clips TSB 200

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[ernysan]

The 'repair' is not very elegant - a scotch-lock to a wire in the fuse panel, with a wire run to a connector in the left kick panel, where a wire is cut, with the added wire scotch-locked to side of the cut wire that leads rearward...

Not elegant at all...

I offered to supply posi-locks and was told they have to use the parts from KIA to satisfy the recall (apparently, even if not the best available).

At least the trailer lights will work properly - I'll find out Tuesday - taking mine in for:
- 2nd oil change
- Trailer lights recall
- SW update for voice recognition TSB 190
- Rear washer nozzle TSB 199
- Rear door shade clips TSB 200

ALL those TSB and your dealer will do no questions??

Asking you because I just call "my" dealer witch is KIA of Downtown LA (worst dealer in the planet) and the ladie (service dept) at the phone has no clue about any TSB (Technicall Service Bulletin) she ask me to take MY TELLURIDE if I'm having any issue so they can check it BTW for the brake light recall they order the part and will call me when available for my next service appointment (10k Oil change)

 

[bogie]

They did say regular TSB's are only if the customer is experiencing the issue and brings it up... e.g. the rear nozzle drip...

They also said other TSB's classified as 'Service Actions' are to be done even if the customer doesn't bring it up... e.g. the SW update for nav voice recognition & the rear window shade hooks...

Print the PDF's and take them with you...

 

[Stoney]

This is called over analysis.

All of the options have trade offs. Pick your poison and move on.

I would advise against eco as the lethargic acceleration is a safety hazard in my opinion.

Life is a series of decisions for you to make. As much as you want the factory to make the decision for you, they clearly aren’t interested In doing that. Keep the pressure up to see if you can get something, but at the same time, use your best judgement for now.

You may want to re-read your response - kind of offensive. I do not "want the factory to make the decision for me" - I want the factory to tell me which mode is the recommended towing mode - after all, they built the car and ought to be able to secure that information, especially since the one mode the Telluride does NOT have is the tow mode. Overanalysis? Not doing any analysis at all. Everyone is guessing or using their best judgment, but if their best judgment is wrong and there is a problem, Kia could say we have voided the warranty by using the wrong mode.
Obviously you have never had to fight with a manufacturer over whether a failed transmission is covered because of using the wrong mode. It is purely CYA.

And please don't give me another condescending comment like how unlikely that is.

 

[TheNip73]

You may want to re-read your response - kind of offensive. I do not "want the factory to make the decision for me" - I want the factory to tell me which mode is the recommended towing mode - after all, they built the car and ought to be able to secure that information, especially since the one mode the Telluride does NOT have is the tow mode. Overanalysis? Not doing any analysis at all. Everyone is guessing or using their best judgment, but if their best judgment is wrong and there is a problem, Kia could say we have voided the warranty by using the wrong mode.
Obviously you have never had to fight with a manufacturer over whether a failed transmission is covered because of using the wrong mode. It is purely CYA.

And please don't give me another condescending comment like how unlikely that is.

I just gave you an ignore instead.