Kia Recalls 462,869 Telluride SUVs in the U.S. Over Seat Overheating Risk

Until the issue is fixed, owners of Kia Telluride SUVs in the United States are being urged to take extra precautions when parking. Kia advises owners not to leave affected vehicles in enclosed garages or near buildings or other vehicles. The recommendation is not without reason. Under certain conditions, the power front seat adjustment system may continue operating longer than intended, creating a risk of excessive heat buildup.

The large-scale recall is detailed in documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The campaign covers 462,869 Telluride SUVs built between January 2019 and May 2024. Kia emphasizes that the potential defect does not mean every affected vehicle has the problem. According to the company's internal assessment, the actual issue is expected to be present in roughly 1% of the recalled vehicles.

Engineers determined that the problem is linked to the power front seat adjustment mechanism. If the seat's side trim or the seat control switch is subjected to a strong impact, internal components of the system can become misaligned. If that happens, the seat adjustment motor may fail to shut off and continue running continuously.

Over time, the constant operation can cause the electric motor to overheat. In the worst-case scenario, it could lead to a fire. That is why Kia has decided to launch the recall without delay and will repair the affected vehicles through its dealer network.