Kia to recall 20,000 SUVs in Canada over fire risk, owners urged to park outside

Kia will recall more than 20,000 Telluride SUVs in Canada over a fire risk and owners of 2020 to 2024 models are urged to park outside.

Kia is set to recall more than 20,000 Telluride SUVs in Canada over a fire risk caused by a faulty front seat adjustment knob.

A total of 20,563 Telluride models from 2020 to 2024 are affected in Canada. A similar recall in the U.S. is impacting 462,869 vehicles.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one of the seat adjustment knobs can become stuck and cause the front power seat motor to overheat, potentially leading to fire when parked or driving.

"Out of an abundance of caution, Kia Canada recommends vehicle owners park their vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repair has been performed," a Kia Canada spokesperson told CTVNews.ca.

It could be seven weeks or more before repairs begin in Canada.

"All owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail beginning July 31, 2024, with instructions to bring their vehicle to a Kia dealer," the Kia Canada spokesperson said by email. "Dealers will be instructed to install a bracket to reinforce the power seat switch back cover(s) and replace the seat slide knob(s) with an improved one."

While there have been no reports of injuries or deaths in Canada and the U.S., American authorities have recorded at least one under-seat fire and six incidents of localized melting in the seat tilt motor between August 2022 and March 2024. No fires have been reported in Canada.