NEW YORK (AP) — Kia is recalling more than 427,000 of its Telluride SUVs because of a defect that may allow the cars to roll away while they’re parked.
According to documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft of certain 2020-2024 Tellurides may not be fully engaged. Over time, this can lead to “unintended vehicle movement” while the cars are in park — increasing potential crash risks.
Kia America decided to recall all 2020-2023 model year and select 2024 Tellurides, NHTSA documents show. At the time, no injuries or crashes were reported.
Improper assembly is suspected to be the cause of the shaft engagement problem — with the recall covering 2020-2024 Tellurides that were manufactured between Jan. 9, 2019 and Oct. 19, 2023. The vehicle was introduced in 2019 as a 2020 model.
Kia America estimates that 1% have the defect. To remedy the issue, recall documents say, dealers will update the affected cars’ electronic parking brake software and replace any damaged intermediate shafts for free. Owners who already incurred repair expenses will also be reimbursed.
In the meantime, drivers of the impacted Tellurides are instructed to manually engage the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle.
Drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall and find more information using the NHTSA site or Kia’s recall lookup platform.
Owner notification letters are set to be mailed out on May 15, with dealer notification beginning a few days prior.
The Associated Press reached out to Irvine-based Kia America for further comment Sunday.