Attention Kia Telluride owners! Kia America has issued a major recall impacting 462,869 Tellurides from the 2020 through 2024 model years in the U.S. due to a fire risk caused by a defect in the power seat motors.

Here's a breakdown of the issue and what you need to do:

The recall stems from a potential malfunction with the front seat power motor. According to Kia, an external impact to the front seat side cover or slide knob could cause the power seat switch cover to become dislodged. This dislodgement can misalign the seat motor, causing it to run continuously and overheat. This overheating significantly increases the risk of a fire, whether the car is parked or being driven.


What to Do

Park Your Telluride Outdoors

As a precautionary measure, Kia is urging all affected Telluride owners to park their vehicles outdoors, away from other vehicles or structures, until the recall repair is completed. This minimizes potential damage in case of a fire.

Be Alert for Warning Signs

While there haven't been any reported injuries or deaths related to this issue, Kia has received reports of one under-seat fire and six incidents of seat motor melting, sometimes accompanied by smoke or burning smells. Be aware of these warning signs:

  1. Difficulty adjusting the seat (sticking slide knob)
  2. Burning odor or melting plastic smell coming from under the seat
  3. Smoke emanating from beneath the seat


The Fix

Kia dealerships will be installing a reinforcement bracket to secure the power seat switch back cover and replacing the seat slide knobs with improved versions. This reinforcement will prevent the dislodgement of the switch and protect the motor from overheating.


Timeline and Next Steps

  • Tellurides manufactured after May 30, 2024 already have the reinforced switch mechanism installed, so they are not included in the recall.
  • Kia will be notifying all affected owners by first-class mail. Keep an eye out for a letter from Kia with instructions on how to schedule your Telluride's complimentary repair appointment.


For more information on this recall, Kia Telluride owners can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website:  or contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.


Remember:

  1. Park your 2020-2024 Telluride outdoors until the recall repair is completed.
  2. Be aware of potential warning signs like difficulty adjusting the seat, burning smells, or smoke.
  3. Kia dealerships will provide a free repair to reinforce the power seat switch and replace the slide knobs.