The recall affects 462,869 Telluride SUVs from the model years 2020 to 2024.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has identified that the front power seat motor in these vehicles is susceptible to overheating. This issue arises from a stuck power seat slide knob, which can ignite a flame and pose a significant safety risk.

To prevent any potential incidents, Kia has advised its customers to park their vehicles outside until the issue is resolved. They have also issued a safety warning for owners to be aware of certain indications that their seat may be at risk. These include passengers being unable to adjust their seats, smelling burning under the seat, or seeing visible smoke.

Affected vehicle owners will receive notifications by mail starting from July 30th. Once the cars have been returned, Kia dealers will install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs at no additional cost to the customers.

Multiple complaints regarding burning smells from the seats, stuck slide knobs, dislodged seat switch back covers, and knob damage have already been lodged with dealers. One particularly alarming incident involved a Telluride owner whose driver seat caught fire while driving in March 2024. The fire was found to have originated from the driver's side seat tilt motor.

Interestingly, this is not the first recall for Kia's Telluride SUVs. In March of this year, the manufacturer recalled around 400,000 SUVs due to a separate issue that could cause the vehicles to roll away when in park. Specifically, some 427,407 Telluride vehicles from the model years 2020 to 2024 were affected. This previous recall was related to problems with the driveshaft, which could lead to unintended vehicle movement if the parking brake is not engaged. However, this issue can be resolved with a software update to ensure proper engagement of the driveshaft.

Owners of affected Telluride SUVs are urged to contact their nearest Kia dealer to schedule the necessary updates and repairs. Kia is committed to addressing these safety concerns promptly and ensuring the safety of its customers on the road.