Kia Telluride Fire Recall: 463,000 SUVs to be Parked Outside

Kia America has issued a new "park outside" recall for 462,869 Telluride SUVs from the 2020-2024 model years due to a fire risk while driving or parked. Owners are instructed to park these vehicles away from buildings and other cars. This development has caused a massive global spike in Kia Telluride fire recall 2026 searches.

The Root Cause: Seat Motor Overheating

The root of the problem lies in the front power seat slide knob or side cover. If these parts are accidentally struck or hit with force, the seat switch can become dislodged or internally misaligned. A misaligned switch causes the seat motor to run continuously, leading to overheating and, ultimately, a Telluride seat motor fire.

The Unresolved Problem: Why Didn't the First Recall Work?

The more concerning part is that many of these vehicles were already recalled in 2024 for the exact same issue. According to Kia's own investigation chronology, Kia Telluride fire incidents continued even after the initial recall (24V407) was completed:

• October 2024: A fire was reported under the front passenger seat of a 2020 Telluride that had already received the recall repair.
• April 2025: Another fire complaint was filed for a 2024 Telluride, again after the initial recall repair.
• May 2025: A fire under the front passenger seat was recorded in a 2023 Telluride, also post-repair.

During X-ray and teardown tests, Kia identified an internal switch misalignment that caused the seat motor to run continuously. The brand also discovered sporadic dealer workmanship issues during previous repairs. So far, the company is aware of 7 seat fires and 11 seat motor melting cases. The issue has also sparked extensive discussions in automotive communities on Reddit.

User Experiences: The Scale of the Danger

Real user experiences show just how quickly a Kia Telluride seat fire can escalate inside the cabin. Here are some cases reported to the NHTSA and complaint platforms:

• A 2024 Kia Telluride owner reported on CarComplaints that their front passenger seat started emitting smoke while driving, and the interior quickly filled with thick smoke. The driver had to call the fire department to put it out. The most striking detail is that the vehicle had already gone through the recall process that supposedly fixed this very issue.
• An owner of a 2022 Telluride with 77,000 miles logged an incident on CarProblemZoo. Upon entering their parked vehicle, they found a burned spot on the front passenger seat and a melted passenger-side visor. There was brown residue throughout the cabin, and it appeared the fire had self-extinguished. This vehicle had also completed the initial recall repair on October 15, 2024.
• Another 2022 Telluride user, with only 16,000 miles on the clock, reported receiving the recall notice, but the dealer did not have the necessary repair part. While driving, the driver realized the front power seat was not working. A check at the dealership revealed that the power seat slide knob had failed.

What is the New Solution?

According to information from CBS News, Kia dealers will now install an electronic fuse assembly in the vehicles free of charge. This new system will physically prevent the motor from running continuously, even if the seat switch gets damaged.

Official notifications are scheduled to be mailed to affected vehicle owners starting August 13. If you own a Telluride, it is highly recommended that you park your vehicle outdoors and away from buildings or other cars due to the Kia Telluride recall fire risk until the permanent repair is completed.