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The
recall, announced this week by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, replaces a prior one Kia initiated in
2024. Certain Tellurides from the 2020-2024 model years are
affected, with the NHTSA warning that the front power seat motor
of these vehicles may overheat due to a stuck slide knob.
That could result in a fire while the car is parked or being
driven. And even after Kia rolled out a remedy in 2024, recall
documents note several customers filed complaints of alleged
fires underneath the passenger seat. The automaker investigated
other vehicles that had received the prior repair and identified
“sporadic dealer workmanship issues” — later deciding to
initiate a new recall.
Between October 2024 and April 2026, Kia North America's safety
office identified 18 incidents involving either localized seat
fires or melting of the seat motor, per recall documents. No
associated injuries or crashes have been reported.
In a statement, Kia America noted that “an external impact with
excessive force" to the vehicles' front power seat side cover or
slide knob could cause their switch to become dislodged or
otherwise damaged — resulting in overheating if the motor
continues to be used over time. To prevent this, Kia's new fix
will be for dealers to install an electronic fuse assembly, free
of charge.
That remedy will be available in early August, according to an
advanced dealer notice published by the NHTSA. And owner
notification letters are set to be mailed starting Aug. 13.
In the meantime, both the NHTSA and Kia are warning owners to
park “outside and away from structures” until the recall repair
is complete.”
Drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included
in this recall and find more information using the NHTSA site
and/or Kia’s recall lookup platform. Irvine, California-based
Kia America is a subsidiary of the larger South Korean
automaker.
The recall covers 462,869 model year 2020-2024 Tellurides that
were manufactured between Jan. 9, 2019 and May 29, 2024. Kia
America estimates that 1% have the defect.
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