Carmaker Kia has issued an urgent recall of nearly 50,000 SUVs after warnings emerged that the vehicles’ power seats could catch fire.
The company has returned 462,869 Telluride SUVs among 2020-2024 model year vehicles due to risks.
Kia has also issued a safety warning to its customers, advising them to park their vehicle outside in case their seat spontaneously catches fire.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the front power seat motor is susceptible to overheating due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which can ignite a flame.
Automaker Kia has issued an urgent recall for 462,869 Telluride SUVs between the 2020-2024 model years after warnings emerged that the vehicles’ power seats could catch fire.
Kia also told car owners that the quickest way to identify if their vehicle is at risk is if passengers cannot adjust their seat, smell burning under the seat or see visible smoke.
The federal agency also clarified that once the cars have been returned, dealers will install a bracket for the rear power seat switch covers and replace the seat slider knobs at no additional cost.
Owners whose vehicles are at risk will be notified by mail starting July 30.
The recall comes after multiple complaints were made to dealers about a burning smell from the seats, the slide knob being found stuck in the up position, the rear seat switch cover being dislodged, and damage to the knob.
In particular, the owner of a 2023 Telluride complained to his dealer that his driver’s seat caught fire while driving in March 2024.
The dealership recorded the incident with the company and sent them photographs, later revealing that the fire arose from the driver’s side seat tilt motor.
The recall comes after multiple complaints were made to dealers about a burning smell from the seats, the slide knob being found stuck in the up position, the rear seat switch cover being dislodged, and damage to the knob.
The owner of a 2023 Telluride complained to his dealer that his driver’s seat caught on fire while he was driving in March 2024.
But this isn’t the first time Kia has recalled Telluride SUVs.
The manufacturer recalled about 400,000 SUVs in the United States to fix a problem that can cause the vehicles to roll when parked in March of this year.
He rememberfiled with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on March 20, involves several Telluride models.
Some 427,407 Telluride vehicles with model years 2020-2024 are affected.
All 2020-2023 model year models manufactured from January 9, 2019 to October 19, 2023 have been recalled.
About 427,407 Telluride vehicles with model years 2020-2024 are affected
And certain model 2024 Tellurides produced from January 9, 2019 to October 19, 2023 also have the problem.
Kia’s recall says problems with the driveshaft are to blame, due to alleged improper assembly.
This can cause “unintentional movement of the vehicle while parked if the parking brake is not engaged.”
This results in “involuntary movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of an accident.”
But the problem can be fixed with a software update, which makes the driveshaft mesh properly.
Affected Telluride owners should take their cars to a Kia dealership to get the update.