A recall of 462,869 Kia Telluride for faulty power seat motors.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Telluride vehicles. The front power seat motor may overheat due to a stuck power seat slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair, which can result in a fire while parked or driving.
Affected VINs should be searchable now at the NHTSA website.
Here is the relevant information from the NHTSA Recall notice:
NHTSA ID Number: 26V430
Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Components: SEATS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 462,869
Estimated percentage with defect: 1%
Descriptive Information
Certain 2020-2024 model year Telluride vehicles manufactured from January 9, 2019 to May 29, 2024 (462,869 units).
The recall population was determined by a review of Kia vehicle production and supplier records. The vehicles subject to this recall were not produced in VIN order. Customers seeking information about their specific vehicle will be referred to Kia’s Customer Care Center or their Kia dealer.
This recall supersedes Recall 24V407.
Description of defect or noncompliance:
An external impact with excessive force to the front power seat side cover and/or seat slide knob may cause the power seat switch to become dislodged, internally misaligned, or otherwise damaged. A misaligned or damaged seat switch, or an improper recall 24V407 repair, may lead to continuous operation of a seat motor. Over time, this can result in overheating of a seat motor, thereby increasing the risk of a fire while driving or while parked.
Description of the safety risk, including crash, fire, death, injury:
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Description of the cause:
External impact to the seat motor control switch and/or knob can cause misalignment of the seat switch.
Identification of any warning that can occur:
1) Seat slide knob sticking (e.g., inability to adjust power seat or power seat continues moving even after seat slide knob is released), 2) burning or melting smell, and/or 3) smoke from underneath the seat.
Chronology
June 5, 2024: Kia North America (Kia NA) Safety Office files safety recall (24V407) for certain 2020-2024 Model Year Telluride vehicles to address a potential fire risk caused by external impacts that may misalign the seat motor control switch leading to seat motor overheating.
July 30—July 31, 2024: Kia sends owner notification letters to customers regarding recall 24V407. Dealers instructed to install a reinforcing bracket on the power seat control switch or if necessary, replace the power seat switch, and replace the seat slide knob(s).
October 17, 2024—November 14, 2024: Kia NA receives Techline case of a 2020 Model Year Telluride (Vehicle #1) with customer allegation of fire underneath the passenger seat after completion of 24V407 recall repair. Inspection findings indicate an overheated passenger seat tilt-motor with the seat switch exhibiting signs of tampering post-overheat incident suggesting potential improper recall repair. Kia NA Safety Office begins monitoring issue.
April 8—April 24, 2025: Kia NA receives customer complaint involving a 2024 Model Year Telluride (Vehicle #2) of an alleged fire underneath passenger seat after completion of 24V407 recall repair. The seat switch back cover found dislodged. Cause undetermined. Kia NA Safety Office collects seat for further evaluation.
May 2, 2025: Kia NA receives customer complaint involving a 2023 Model Year Telluride (Vehicle #3) of an alleged fire underneath the passenger seat after completion of 24V407 recall repair.
May 6, 2025: Kia North American Quality Center (NAQC) provides Kia NA Safety Office with x-ray test results and parts tear-down analysis of Vehicle #2’s power seat switch assembly. X-ray images show misalignment of the internal seat switches and dislodgement of the internal switch back-plate resulting in continuous operation of the seat motor.
May 11, 2025—June 30, 2025: Kia NA Safety Office and Kia HQ engineers inspect Telluride vehicles with 24V407 recall repair completed and no related seat complaint. Sporadic dealer workmanship issues identified. Kia NA Safety Office and Kia HQ discuss suspected potential that dealers may mistakenly perform reinforcement of power seat switch back cover rather than replacement of power seat switch.
July 31, 2025: Kia NA Safety Office inspection of Vehicle #3 confirms origin of fire at driver side tilt motor with no observable evidence of seat switch back-cover dislodgement. Kia NA Safety Office collects incident part for further evaluation.
August 19—August 20, 2025: Kia NA Safety Office and NAQC conduct joint x-ray imaging and parts tear-down evaluation of Vehicle #3’s power seat switch assembly, identifying tilt motor control shaft misalignment with no internal back plate dislodgement.
September 2, 2025—December 10, 2025: Kia NA Safety Office presents findings to Kia HQ and requests further evaluation of potential conditions for seat switch damage. Kia NA Safety Office, Kia HQ, and Kia Georgia evaluate new potential conditions for seat switch damage. Preliminary findings indicate if occupant strikes the seat slide knob when entering vehicle, twisting forces may also result in a dislodged or misaligned seat switch.
December 11, 2025—June 5, 2026: Kia NA Safety Office continues to monitor and investigate incidents on a part and vehicle level to understand the different conditions for potential seat switch damage.
June 15—June 25, 2026: Kia NA Safety conducts field data analysis and identifies 18 unique incidents (7 localized seat / under seat fires, 11 localized melting of seat motor) [dates of receipt 10/17/2024—4/24/2026].
Kia NA Safety Office decides to recall the 2020-2024 Model Year Telluride vehicles previously recalled under 24V407. No injuries, crashes or fatalities.
Remedy
Description of Remedy
Remedy Type: Repair
Description of remedy program:
All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first-class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly to prevent continuous operation of a seat motor if the seat switch becomes dislodged, internally misaligned or otherwise damaged. Kia will instruct vehicle owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the repair has been performed. Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred pursuant to Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan filed April 30, 2026.
How remedy component differs from recalled component:
The remedy component prevents continuous operation of a seat motor if the seat switch becomes dislodged, internally misaligned or otherwise damaged.
Description of recall schedule:
The planned dealer notification begin and end date is July 6, 2026. The planned owner notification begin date is August 13, 2026 and end date is August 19, 2026.
