Kia America has issued a recall for approximately 463,000 Telluride SUVs due to concerns that the seats may catch fire, prompting federal highway safety regulators to advise owners to park their vehicles outside. The recall affects certain Telluride models from 2020 to 2024, with Kia estimating that 1% of the SUVs have the potential defect.

The recall specifically targets Tellurides built between January 2019 and May 2024, as stated in the documents submitted by Kia to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The issue lies with the motor responsible for controlling the power seats, which has the potential to overheat.

According to the recall documents, Kia explained that the seat adjustment switch on the power seat can dislodge if it is hit too forcefully, resulting in the seat locking in position while the motor continues to run. This misalignment of the switch can cause the seat motor to continuously operate, leading to overheating and an increased risk of fire while driving or while the vehicle is parked.

Kia has reported one incident of an under-the-seat fire from a Telluride owner, along with six cases of seat motors melting. Thankfully, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to the power seat issue.

Kia advises Telluride owners to be vigilant for signs of a potential fire risk, such as the inability to adjust the seat, the smell of burning under the seat, or smoke emanating from the area. The company plans to resolve the issue by installing a bracket for the seat switch, and eligible owners will receive a free installation at authorized dealerships. Kia will notify affected owners by mail starting on July 30.

It is worth noting that Tellurides manufactured after May 30 have already undergone the necessary repairs, and the seat issue has been resolved, Kia assured.

Owners with questions or concerns regarding the recall can contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542, using the provided recall number SC316. Alternatively, they can reach out to the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

This latest recall follows a previous one in March, where Kia recalled over 427,000 Telluride SUVs from 2020 to 2024 due to a defect that could cause the vehicles to roll away when parked. Additionally, in March, both Hyundai and Kia recalled a total of 147,110 electric vehicles over concerns that a part within the vehicles could prevent them from charging their batteries.

Kia's prompt action to address these safety concerns is crucial in order to safeguard its customers and ensure a positive driving experience.