Automotive company Kia issued a recall Friday for certain Telluride SUVs from model years 2020 to 2024 and urged vehicle owners to park outside and away from structures due to the risk of fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. the roads.
The problem arises from the front power seat motor, which can overheat “due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which could cause a fire and increase the risk of injury,” NHTSA said in a statement.
“To fix the issue, dealers will install a bracket for the rear power seat switch covers and replace the seat slider knobs, free of charge,” the statement said.
Kia recommended that drivers park outside until repairs were completed.
According to NHTSA, about 460,000 vehicles could be affected by the recall, and notices informing owners of affected Tellurides are expected to be mailed starting July 30.
Kia will also reimburse owners for repair costs already incurred, according to a Safety Recall Report the agency posted online.
A timeline of problems with Telluride front power seats shared by NHTSA shows that the Kia North America Safety Office saw complaints of smoke and a report of a “driver’s seat that caught fire while driving.” No injuries were reported from that fire, according to the document, nor have there been any injuries, accidents or deaths resulting from the problem.
Kia spokesman James Bell called the problem “very rare.”
In September 2023, Hyundai and Kia recalled nearly 3.4 million vehicles in the United States due to a risk of engine compartment fire caused by brake fluid leaks. At that time, car manufacturers also advised car owners to park their vehicles outside.
Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors, but the manufacturers operate independently.