Kia issues urgent recall for 463,000 vehicles that could burst into flames and warns owners to park them outside
Carmaker Kia has issued an emergency recall for almost 50,000 SUVs after warnings emerged that power seats in the vehicles could catch fire.
The company has recalled 462,869 Telluride SUVs between model years 2020 and 2024 due to risks.
Kia has also issued a safety warning to its customers, advising them to park their car outside in case their seat spontaneously catches fire
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the power front seat motor is prone to overheating due to a stuck power seat slider, which could ignite a flame.
Automaker Kia has issued an emergency recall for 462,869 Telluride SUVs between the 2020-2024 model year after warnings emerged about power seats in the vehicles potentially catching fire
Kia also told car owners that the quickest way to identify if their vehicle is at risk is if passengers cannot adjust their seats, they smell a burning odor under a seat or they see visible smoke.
The federal agency also clarified that once the cars are returned, dealers will install a bracket for the rear covers of the power seat switches and replace the seat sliders at no additional charge.
Owners whose vehicles are at risk will be notified by email from July 30.
The recall comes after multiple complaints of a burning smell coming from the seats, a slider stuck in the up position, a loose seat switch back cover and damage to the buttons submitted to dealers.
In particular, a 2023 Telluride owner complained to his dealer that his driver’s seat caught fire while driving in March 2024.
The dealer registered the incident with the company and sent them photos, which later revealed that the fire originated from the driver’s side tilt motor.
The recall comes after multiple complaints of a burning smell coming from the seats, a slider stuck in the up position, a loose seat switch back cover and damage to the buttons submitted to dealers
A 2023 Telluride owner complained to his dealer that the driver’s seat caught fire while driving in March 2024
But this isn’t Kia’s first recall for Telluride SUVs.
The manufacturer approximately 400,000 SUVs called back in America to fix an issue that could cause the vehicles to roll away when in park in March this year.
The to remindfiled with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on March 20, includes several Telluride models.
Approximately 427,407 Telluride vehicles with model years 2020-2024 are affected.
All model year 2020-2023 units produced between January 9, 2019 and October 19, 2023 have been recalled.
Approximately 427,407 Telluride vehicles with model years 2020-2024 are affected
And certain model year 2024 Tellurides, produced between January 9, 2019 and October 19, 2023, also have this problem.
Kia’s recall says driveshaft problems – due to suspected improper installation – are the cause.
This can lead to ‘unintended vehicle movements while parking if the parking brake is not engaged.’
This results in ‘unintentional vehicle movements increasing the risk of an accident.’
But the problem can be solved with a software update, which will ensure proper engagement of the driveshaft.
Affected Telluride owners should take their vehicles to a Kia dealer for the update.
