Kia made the decision to recall the vehicles after receiving reports of one under-seat fire and six incidents of localized melting in the seat tilt motor.FILE - This is the front grill on a 2020 KIA Telluride on display at the 2019 Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh, Feb. 14, 2019.The front power seat motor on the affected Tellurides from the 2020-2024 model years may overheat because of a stuck slide knob, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall report notes that strong external impact to the recalled Tellurides' front power seat side cover or seat slide knob can result in internal misalignment — and with continuous operation, that can cause overheating. People driving vehicles with the issue may find they can't adjust the power seat, may notice a burning or melting smell, or see smoke rising from underneath the seat.
Owner notification letters are set to be mailed out starting July 30, with dealer notification a few days prior. Irvine, California-based Kia America did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on why these notifications wouldn't begin until the end of next month.