Kia has issued a large recall for its well-liked Telluride SUV, totaling 462,869 autos from the 2020 by 2024 mannequin years. The reason being a bit spooky—there is a hearth danger originating from the electrical seat motors for both the motive force or passenger entrance seat. It may happen whether or not the SUV is in use or parked with the ignition off, main Kia to situation a park-outside advisory in case the seats catch hearth.
The precise trigger is not the seat motor, however the slide knob that controls it. The recall discover (NHTSA Recall Quantity 24V-407) states an exterior impression may dislodge the seat swap again cowl. This might trigger a misalignment of the swap controlling the seat motor, and with the swap caught, would feed fixed energy to the motor. If occupants are unaware of this, the motor may get scorching sufficient to start out a fireplace.
In accordance with paperwork filed with the recall, Kia is conscious of 1 small driver-seat hearth that occurred in a 2023 Telluride whereas being pushed. Past that, there are six confirmed incidents of melted parts underneath the seats. Smoke within the cabin was additionally reported with a number of the incidents.
Would not it’s apparent if an influence seat motor was caught on? The recall discover would not handle this, and Kia’s chronology report on the problem (going again to December 2022) makes no point out of signs previous to the aforementioned incidents. Nevertheless, Kia does advise that seats shifting “even after seat slide knob is launched” together with burning smells, smoke, or inoperable seats may point out an issue.
The repair is simple. Kia sellers will set up a brand new bracket for the ability seat swap again cowl, and seat management knobs might be changed. Proprietor notification of the recall ought to start by mail on July 30; involved homeowners also can contact Kia customer support and point out recall SC316. The quantity is 800-333-4542.
