This month, Kia recalled more than 460,000 Telluride SUVs due to a risk of fire — the second such recall for the automaker in the last 2 years. Both recalls affect model year 2020–2024 vehicles, and for the same defect.
That reason has to do with overheating seat motors. According to Kia and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the trim panel on the side of the front seat bases could cause the switch covers to come loose, potentially causing the seat motor to run continuously and overheat. In extreme cases, overheating motors can turn into electrical fires.
The initial fix back in 2024 had Kia replace the seat control knobs and switch covers, and add a brace to strengthen everything. Unfortunately, it appears that some of the repairs may not have been performed correctly, and now this recall is rearing its ugly head once again. Kia and NHTSA are asking owners to park their Tellurides outside and away from any structures.
Kia Second Recall
It seems like the fix this time around is the same as before, but y’know, performed correctly. If you have a 2020-2024 Telluride and are wondering whether your vehicle has been affected, you can search for your vehicle identification number (VIN) on NHTSA’s website beginning on July 17. Mailed notices to affected owners will start going out on August 13.
It’s not the first time that a vehicle manufacturer has had to recall vehicles for the same thing more than once. But for a manufacturer that has had as many fire-risk recalls as Kia over the years, it’s not a good look.
It is important to schedule the repair as soon as you receive your notice and to take the park outside order seriously. While the risk that your car will catch fire is very low (NHTSA and Kia estimate that 1% of the 462,869 vehicles in the recall have the defect), it’s not zero. This recall, like all vehicle manufacturer recalls, will be performed by a Kia dealer at no cost to you, so there is no reason not to get it done.
GearJunkie reached out to Kia for a statement, but didn’t hear back in time for publication.
