Kia Telluride Recall Fix Falls Short, 450,000 Owners Told to Park Outside

Kia has a major problem on its hands. A recall fix for the popular Telluride SUV didn't actually solve the issue, and now the automaker is telling more than 450,000 owners to park their vehicles outdoors until a real solution is ready. The original recall, issued earlier this year, was meant to address a fire risk linked to the SUV’s front power seat motor.

But according to MotorTrend, the repair, which involved installing a new bracket, failed to eliminate the danger.

The news comes after Kia received reports of at least six fires and one thermal incident involving vehicles that had already been repaired. Investigators found that the bracket fix could still allow debris to jam the seat motor, causing overheating. As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stepped in, and Kia is now working to develop a more effective remedy.

In the meantime, the company advises all affected owners to park outside and away from structures to reduce the risk of a fire spreading.

This is an embarrassing setback for Kia, which had hoped the bracket recall would be a clean fix for the Telluride, one of its best-selling models. Owners are left waiting for a second recall notice, and many are frustrated by the lack of a permanent solution. For now, the safest advice remains the same: keep the SUV out of the garage until Kia gets it right.