Kia, a prominent car manufacturer, has issued an urgent recall for nearly 463,000 vehicles, specifically the Telluride SUVs produced between the model years 2020-2024. The recall was prompted by concerns regarding the potential risk of power seats catching fire in these vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highlighted that the front power seat motor in these SUVs is susceptible to overheating due to a stuck power seat slide knob, which could lead to a fire. As a precautionary measure, Kia has advised owners to park their vehicles outside to mitigate the risk of a fire starting spontaneously.

To assist owners in identifying if their vehicle is at risk, Kia has provided warning signs such as passengers being unable to adjust their seat, the presence of a burning smell under a seat, or visible smoke. For affected vehicles, dealers will be installing a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replacing the seat slide knobs at no additional cost.

Owners of the impacted vehicles will receive notifications by mail starting from July 30. The recall was initiated following numerous complaints, including reports of burning smells, stuck slide knobs, dislodged seat switch back covers, and damaged knobs. Notably, a Telluride owner reported a fire originating from the driver’s side seat tilt motor while driving in March 2024.

It is crucial for owners of the affected Kia vehicles to heed the safety advisory and take necessary precautions to ensure their well-being and the safety of their vehicles.