Kia Telluride Recall Prompts 463000 SUV Owners to Park Outside After Fire Risk Warning
Nearly 463,000 US owners of Kia Telluride SUVs are affected by a new recall fire risk warning and regulators are urging drivers to park the vehicles outside until repairs are made. Kia is recalling approximately 2020-2024 Kia Telluride SUVs because a front power seat motor could overheat and cause a vehicle fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the issue could occur whether the SUV was parked or moving, creating a serious safety risk for owners of the vehicles involved.
Why is Kia telling Telluride owners to park their SUVs outside?
The Kia Telluride recall fire danger mainly involves the front power seat motor. The power seat slide knob or switch may become damaged, stuck or misaligned and the seat motor may continue to run, according to NHTSA. This continuous operation can cause the motor to overheat and create a fire hazard.
The warning applies to vehicles that may still be affected by the problem, even after a previous recall fix. Some prior fixes did not fully eliminate the risk, so Kia is offering a new remedy for the affected SUVs, officials said.
- About 462,869 Kia Telluride SUVs are involved.
- The vehicles are model years 2020 through 2024.
- Owners should park away from houses, garages and other vehicles.
- Kia dealers will repair the problem free of charge.
What caused the Kia Telluride fire risk issue?
Sounds like it is more of the front power seat motor system and not the engine or fuel system. NHTSA said damage to the seat slide control components could allow the motor to run continuously, generating excessive heat.
Reuters reported the recall comes after other safety concerns regarding the same component, including reports of seat fires and melted seat motors. The latest patch is intended to keep the motor from being powered all the time if it malfunctions.
Kia has reported incidents related to the problem, including seven seat fires and 11 cases where seat motors melted. But the company and regulators have not reported any crashes or injuries related to this particular defect.
When can owners get repairs for the Kia recall?
Kia will begin mailing notification letters to affected owners on August 13, 2026. The new repair will also have an electronic fuse assembly that will cut off power to the seat motor if abnormal operation is detected.
Owners can see if their vehicle is part of NHTSA’s recall system by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The agency also encourages people to use its SaferCar app to receive future safety notices.
Owners should not park their Telluride inside or near garages or other structures until the repair is complete. The caution is still appropriate because the risk of fire can occur even when the SUV is off.
What now for Kia Telluride owners?
Owners of affected SUVs should follow the safety instructions at once and reach out to Kia or their local dealership as repair appointments become available. The replacement fix will be free of charge.
The recall highlights the necessity of responding quickly to vehicle safety notices, particularly when a defect could create risks with a vehicle left unattended.
Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Supplied official recall information, number of vehicles involved, description of fire risk, repair information and instructions to owners.
- Reuters: background on recall history, reported incidents and new safety remedy.
- Associated Press (AP): Provided background on the recall fix, after earlier repairs didn’t fully solve the problem.
- Houston Chronicle: Details on model years involved, when repairs will occur and effect of recall.
