Kia is issuing a new recall of more than 460,000 vehicles over a fire risk after an earlier recall affecting the same vehicles failed to resolve the problem, according to federal regulators. The recall affects 462,869 Kia Telluride vehicles from the model years 2020-2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Thursday. Owners are instructed to park outside and away from other cars and buildings due to a risk of fire while driving or parked.
If the front power seat slide cover or knob is hit or accidentally struck, the switch can be dislodged, misaligned or damaged, making the seat motor continue to run and causing overheating. An improper repair under the previous recall also may lead to the motor overheating and catching fire. Seven seat fires and 11 cases of seat motors melting have been reported.
Owner notification letters will be sent out Aug. 13. Owners can then take their vehicles to a Kia dealer, where an electronic fuse assembly will be installed to prevent continuous operation of the seat motor if the seat switch becomes dislodged, internally misaligned or otherwise damaged.
