Kia Motors Corporation has issued a recall affecting over 427,000 of its Telluride SUVs due to a potential defect that could lead to unintended vehicle movement while parked, increasing the risk of accidents.
Documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that certain 2020-2024 models of the Telluride may have issues with the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft, which may not be fully engaged. This lapse in engagement, if left unaddressed, could result in the vehicle rolling away while parked, posing significant safety hazards.
Kia America made the decision to recall all affected 2020-2023 model year Tellurides, as well as select 2024 model year vehicles, earlier this month. Fortunately, no injuries or accidents related to this issue have been reported thus far. The problem is suspected to stem from improper assembly, with the recall covering Tellurides manufactured between January 9, 2019, and October 19, 2023. Kia estimates that approximately 1% of the recalled vehicles may have the defect.
As a solution to this potential safety concern, recall documents state that Kia dealers will update the electronic parking brake software on affected vehicles and replace any damaged intermediate shafts free of charge. Additionally, owners who have already incurred expenses for repairs related to this issue will be reimbursed.
In the interim, drivers of the affected Tellurides are advised to manually engage the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle as a precautionary measure. They can also check whether their specific vehicle is included in the recall and access further information through the NHTSA website or Kia’s dedicated recall lookup platform. This proactive approach aims to ensure the safety and well-being of Kia Telluride owners and prevent any potential accidents or injuries associated with this defect.
