When the Kia Telluride arrived on the scene, it caused a whirlwind of positive attention for the brand. Things are looking less rosy now, with nearly half a million owners of 2020-2024 Telluride SUVs facing a recall. As if that weren’t bad enough, some of them are dealing with it because of a fix tied to a previous recall. The problem is dangerous enough that Kia is telling drivers to park outside, since it carries the potential for fire.

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According to documents filed with the NHTSA, an impact to the front power seat side cover or seat slide knob can dislodge or misalign the seat switch. If that happens, the switch may continuously power the seat motor. In addition, Kia says an improper repair performed under Recall 24V407 can create the same condition, allowing the motor to overheat and increasing the risk of a fire while the vehicle is being driven or parked.

The Symptoms Worth Taking Seriously

There are a few warning signs to look out for. These include a seat adjustment switch that sticks or continues moving after being released, a burning or melting odor coming from beneath the seat, or smoke emerging from underneath the front seat. That last one might be the most obvious, but Kia says owners shouldn’t wait to take precautions. In its filing, it specifically instructs owners to park outside and away from buildings and other vehicles.

Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly designed to stop continuous seat motor operation if the switch becomes damaged or misaligned. The automaker says Tellurides built from May 30, 2024 onward received a reinforced power seat switch mechanism in production.

Dealer notifications began on July 6, 2026, while owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed between August 13 and August 19, 2026. VIN lookup availability is expected to begin on July 17, 2026. As is always the case, Kia will cover the costs of the repair itself.