Kia America is issuing a recall for nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs due to a fire hazard related to the front power seat motor. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the issue is resolved.
The affected Tellurides from the 2020-2024 model years may experience overheating of the front power seat motor due to a stuck slide knob, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This could potentially lead to a fire while the vehicle is parked or in operation.
The decision to recall the vehicles was made by Kia on May 29 after reports of one under-seat fire and six incidents of localized melting in the seat tilt motor. No injuries, crashes, or fatalities were reported at the time.
Dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs at no cost to owners. Until the vehicles are repaired, owners should park them outside and away from buildings.
Owners will receive notification letters starting July 30, with dealer notification prior to that date. Kia America, based in Irvine, California, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Drivers can check if their vehicle is included in the recall and find more information on the NHTSA site or Kia’s recall lookup platform.
The recall covers 462,869 model year 2020-2024 Tellurides manufactured between Jan. 9, 2019 and May 29, 2024. Kia estimates that 1% of these vehicles have the defect.
In addition to this recall, Kia announced another recall for over 427,000 2020-2024 Telluride SUVs in March due to a defect that may cause the cars to roll away while parked.
Kia and Hyundai had previous recalls for 3.4 million car and SUV models due to engine compartment fires, with many vehicles still on the road months later. Hyundai owns part of Kia, but the companies operate independently.
FAQ:
Q: How can owners check if their vehicle is included in the recall?
A: Owners can visit the NHTSA site or Kia’s recall lookup platform to verify if their vehicle is affected.
Conclusion:
It’s important for Kia Telluride owners to be aware of the recall for the front power seat motor issue and follow the instructions provided to ensure the safety of their vehicles.
