New York – Kia has announced a recall of over 427,000 of its popular Telluride SUVs due to a potential defect that could cause the vehicles to roll away while parked. The recall, which was issued earlier this month, affects certain 2020-2024 model year Tellurides and is aimed at ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers.
According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue stems from the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft of the affected vehicles not being fully engaged. This can lead to unintended vehicle movement while the car is in park, increasing the risk of accidents.
Kia America has taken swift action to address this issue and has decided to recall all 2020-2023 model year Tellurides, as well as select 2024 models. The recall covers vehicles manufactured between January 9, 2019, and October 19, 2023, with an estimated 1% of the affected vehicles having the defect.
The cause of the problem is suspected to be improper assembly, and Kia America is taking all necessary steps to ensure that the issue is resolved. As part of the recall, dealers will update the electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts at no cost to the owners. Those who have already incurred repair expenses will also be reimbursed.
In the meantime, Kia is advising owners of the impacted Tellurides to manually engage the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle. To check if their specific vehicle is included in the recall and for more information, drivers can use the NHTSA website or Kia’s recall lookup platform.
Owner notification letters will be mailed out on May 15, with dealer notification beginning a few days prior. Kia America is committed to ensuring the safety of its customers and is taking all necessary steps to address this issue promptly.
The Associated Press reached out to Kia America for further comment, but no response was received at the time of writing. However, the company’s swift action in issuing the recall and taking responsibility for the issue is commendable.
The Telluride has been a popular choice among SUV buyers since its launch in 2019, and this recall should not deter potential buyers from considering this vehicle. Kia has a strong reputation for producing reliable and safe vehicles, and this recall is a testament to their commitment to ensuring the safety of their customers.
In conclusion, Kia’s recall of over 427,000 Telluride SUVs is a proactive step towards ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers. The company’s prompt action and commitment to addressing the issue should be commended, and owners can rest assured that their vehicles will be repaired at no cost. Kia remains dedicated to providing high-quality and safe vehicles, and this recall is a testament to their commitment to their customers.
