460,000 Kia Tellurides Are Being Recalled to Address a Flawed Fire-Risk Recall.

      Adam Ismail

      The most important automotive news and reviews, no nonsense

      Our free daily newsletter delivers the essential stories directly to you every weekday.

      Recalls are a frustrating yet unavoidable part of contemporary vehicle manufacturing and ownership, especially as cars become increasingly complex. The best outcome is for the automaker to resolve any defects efficiently so you're back on the road in no time. You certainly want to avoid multiple visits to the shop for the same problem, particularly when it poses a fire hazard. This is exactly the issue facing Kia Telluride owners.

      Let’s rewind to two years ago, when Kia recalled nearly 463,000 Telluride SUVs from model years 2020 through 2024 due to a faulty front power seat switch that had the potential to overheat and ignite a fire even when the vehicle was parked. The problem was that the switch could unintentionally remain engaged, prompting technicians to install new brackets and revised knobs that were meant to prevent this scenario.

      Of the vehicles subject to the recall, Kia estimated that only 1% had defective and hazardous seat controls; however, all needed repairs for safety reasons.

      Adam Ismail

      It appears that the fix provided in the recall may have been executed incorrectly, which could give rise to the same problem: a stuck switch, overheated motor, and fire risk. Consequently, those same Telluride owners are being advised once again to park outdoors, as the motor can ignite even when the vehicle is not in use. So far, Kia has recorded 11 reports of melted motors and another seven incidents that resulted in fires beneath the seats, thankfully without any injuries.

      It is important to note that this new solution is, fortunately, different from the previous ineffective approach. Rather than merely adding a new bracket and replacing the knob, these fire-prone Tellurides will now be fitted with “an electronic fuse assembly to prevent continuous operation of a seat motor if the seat switch becomes dislodged, internally misaligned, or otherwise damaged,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall report. That’s a step in the right direction. Notifications are expected to reach owners between August 13 and 19.

      Adam Ismail

      Have a tip? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com