Kia Recalls 462,000+ Telluride SUVs Over Seat Fire Risk, "Park Outside" Advised

Kia America has issued an urgent safety recall affecting nearly half a million 2020–2024 Kia Telluride SUVs. Due to a design vulnerability in the front power seats, these popular family vehicles are at risk of catching fire.

Because the fire hazard can occur while driving or even when the vehicle is parked and turned off, federal regulators and Kia are urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from homes, garages, and other structures until the recall repair is completed.

The Danger: Overheating Power Seat Motors

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report, the issue involves the front power seat slide control mechanism.

• The Cause: The slide knob on the side of the front seats can become stuck, or the seat motor switch can get misaligned due to an external impact.

• The Risk: If the switch gets stuck, the power seat slide motor will run continuously. This constant electrical load causes the motor to overheat, melt, and potentially ignite.

• The Danger: A fire originating beneath the front seats significantly increases the risk of occupant injury and property damage, especially if the vehicle is parked inside a residential garage.

Important Note on Previous Repairs: This recall replaces a prior recall attempt (NHTSA recall number 24V407). If your Telluride was already repaired under that previous campaign, you must have this new remedy completed. The original fix has been determined insufficient to prevent the hazard.

Recall Details at a Glance

• NHTSA ID Number: 26V430000

• Kia Recall Code: SC374

• Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

• Component Affected: Front Seats (Power Seat Motor)

What is the Remedy?

To address this fire hazard, authorized Kia dealers will install a new electronic fuse assembly free of charge. This safety fuse will automatically cut power to the seat slide motor if it begins to run continuously, preventing the motor from overheating and eliminating the risk of fire.

Critical Steps for Kia Telluride Owners

If you own an affected 2020–2024 Kia Telluride, take the following immediate actions to protect your family and property:

• Park Outside: Immediately transition to parking your vehicle in open areas (e.g., driveways or parking lots) away from homes, garages, carports, or other structures until the dealer remedy has been applied.

• Check Your VIN: Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov starting July 17, 2026. You can enter your 17-digit VIN there to confirm if your specific SUV is affected.

• Watch Your Mail: Official owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out starting August 13, 2026.

• Schedule Your Repair: Once notifications are live, contact your local Kia dealership to schedule your free electronic fuse installation.

For immediate questions or concerns, owners can contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542 and reference recall number SC374.