Kia Issues Massive Vehicle Recall

(HorizonPost.com) – Auto manufacturer Kia last Friday ordered a recall of certain models of its Telluride SUVs due to a fire risk involving a problem with the front power seats.

According to a June 7 Consumer Alert from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the “park outside” recall is for 462,869 Telluride SUVs from model years 2020 through 2024 because of a fire risk while driving or when the vehicle is parked.

The front power seat motor on the recalled models poses a risk of overheating due to a sticking power seat slide knob and could result in a fire and an increased risk of injury, the NHTSA said.

The Safety Office for Kia North America initially discovered the problem after receiving complaints about smoke and a report that the driver’s seat caught fire while the owner was driving the vehicle. No one was injured in that reported fire, nor have there been any reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities due to the problem.

Owners with an affected vehicle were urged to park outside away from any structures until the necessary repairs could be made.

Repairs can be made by a certified dealer by installing a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replacing the seat slide knobs. All repairs will be done at no charge, the NHTSA said.

Any owner who has already had the repairs made will receive a reimbursement from Kia, according to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report posted online.

Notices to affected owners will be mailed out starting on July 30. Owners can also contact Kia’s customer service toll-free at 800-333-4542, citing the recall reference number SC316.

Owners can check to see if their Kia Telluride SUV is affected by the recall by visiting the NHTSA’’s recall website and entering either the vehicle license plate number or 17-digit VIN (vehicle identification number).

Kia spokesman James Bell described the Front Power Seat problem as “very rare.”

Last fall, Kia and Hyundai issued a “park outside” recall for more than three million vehicles sold in the US due to a fire risk caused by brake fluid leaks in the engine compartment.