USA
Kia is recalling 462,869 Telluride SUVs from the 2020-2024 model years in the United States over a risk that the front passenger seat’s motor can overheat and catch fire, whether the vehicle is parked or being driven.
It is the second time Kia has recalled the Telluride for this problem. The automaker first addressed it in 2024, but owners kept reporting fires and melted motors even after the repair, prompting the new, wider campaign. Kia says a damaged or displaced seat-adjuster switch can let the motor keep running after it should have stopped, causing it to overheat. The company has logged 18 cases of localized fire or melting between October 2024 and April 2026, with no injuries or crashes reported.
NHTSA and Kia are telling owners to park affected Tellurides outside and away from structures until the repair is complete. Dealers will install a free electronic fuse designed to cut power to the seat motor before it can overheat. Kia will begin notifying owners by mail starting August 13, 2026; owners can also check their vehicle identification number through NHTSA in the meantime.
The 2020-2024 Telluride was Kia’s first-generation three-row SUV for the US market, built alongside the related Hyundai Palisade. Kia replaced it with a redesigned second-generation Telluride, badged as the 2027 model year, which began reaching dealers in early 2026.
