Kia Recalls 427,000 Telluride SUVs for Rollaway Risk

Before a vehicle is manufactured and put into the market, it undergoes various types of tests. However, in some instances, vehicle companies face unexpected problems all at once. Today, through MotorGuide Weekly News, we are telling you about a problem that Kia suddenly had to face.

Kia has decided to recall 427,407 Telluride SUVs. The reason they state is a problem with the driveshaft system that allows parked vehicles to roll away. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall is necessary to fix an incorrectly assembled intermediate shaft and front right driveshaft, which may only partially engage. This, when repeated frequently, can damage the intermediate shaft splines, allowing for unexpected movement when the vehicle is parked.

16 reports regarding this issue have been filed, including 10 warranty claims. Kia states that in six of these instances, the vehicle manufacturer has confirmed that spline damage or wear consistent with the recall problem was the cause.

So, this recall covers a broad range of all Tellurides from 2020 to 2023. Additionally, 2024 model Tellurides manufactured from January 9, 2019, to October 19, 2023, have been selected for this. Documents filed with the NHTSA cite Kia's estimate that only about 1 percent of the vehicles covered under the recall are affected.

The NHTSA safety report states that both a grinding noise and a loss of power can help owners identify the problem.

NHTSA documents state that 2024 Tellurides manufactured from October 20, 2023, onwards are not included in the recall. To ensure they are completely free of defects, the supplier is preparing to inspect them with an "additional computer vision process".

So, this is the problem that Kia suddenly had to face. The company further stated that notification letters with instructions would be sent to owners to bring such defective vehicles to a Kia dealer.