Two fire recalls. 500K Tellurides told to park outside. Seat motor or tow hitch recall on your 2020–2024 Kia? You may qualify for a CA lemon law buyback.
You bought the Kia Telluride because it earned the reputation as one of the best family SUVs on the market — spacious, well-built, and safe. That reputation has been shaken by two separate fire recalls that share the same chilling instruction: park outside, away from structures. Not because of something you did, but because of defects Kia built into the vehicle from the factory.
The first fire risk hides under your front seat. Recall 24V407 (NHTSA; Kia campaign SC316) covers 462,869 Tellurides from model years 2020 through 2024. The power seat slide knob can become stuck; when an occupant tries to adjust the seat with the knob jammed, the seat motor runs continuously against resistance, generating enough heat to melt materials and ignite a fire — even while the SUV is parked with the ignition off. Kia's own recall remedy letter tells owners not to use their garage until the repair is done.
The second fire risk is in the back of the vehicle. Recall 22V626 (Kia campaign SC247) covers 36,417 Tellurides equipped with a genuine Kia tow hitch wiring harness from model years 2020 through 2022. Debris and moisture collect on the harness module's printed circuit board and cause an electrical short — a fire that can start with the engine off, battery on, while your Telluride sits in the driveway.
If your vehicle was subject to either or both of these recalls — and nearly every 2020–2024 Telluride was touched by at least one — you have spent weeks or months unable to safely use your SUV as intended. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives you rights in that situation. If your dealer has not completed both repairs, or if completing them took multiple visits, your service history may already support a lemon law claim.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Seat slide adjustment knob becomes stuck or stiff; burning or melting smell from beneath driver or passenger seat; visible smoke from under the front seat; in severe cases, vehicle fire while parked with ignition off or while driving.
Vehicle fire originating from the rear tow hitch area while the car is parked and the ignition is off; fire may have no prior warning signs for the owner.
Airbag warning light illuminates and remains on; no warning before crash that airbag will fail to deploy. Moving the second-row seat fore/aft repeatedly may cause harness damage.
Grinding noise from drivetrain area; reduced or pulsating motive power; vehicle rolls away when placed in PARK on any incline if the parking brake is not manually applied.
Instrument cluster (dashboard display) goes completely blank at vehicle startup or while driving; speedometer, odometer, gear indicator, warning lights, and tire pressure display are all unavailable.
Battery dies unexpectedly after normal overnight or multi-day parking; slow crank or no-start requiring jump-start; flickering dashboard or headlights; intermittent electrical gremlins (infotainment reset, loss of settings); repeated battery replacements that do not resolve the problem.
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Seat slide adjustment knob becomes stuck or stiff; burning or melting smell from beneath driver or passenger seat; visible smoke from under the front seat; in severe cases, vehicle fire while parked with ignition off or while driving.
Catastrophic fire risk affecting 462,869 units across 2020–2024 MY — the largest Telluride recall by volume. 'Park outside' advisory constitutes a substantial impairment of the vehicle's safe use independent of any repair attempt. Each day an owner must park outside supports the use-and-value-impairment element under California Civil Code § 1793.2(d). A motor vehicle fire is among the most serious safety defects recognized under California lemon law.
Original 2024 remedy (switch-cover bracket and knob replacement under 24V407) proved insufficient. Under superseding recall 26V430, dealers will install a new electronic fuse assembly, free of charge; owner letters expected August 13–19, 2026. Interim: park outside, away from structures.
Vehicle fire originating from the rear tow hitch area while the car is parked and the ignition is off; fire may have no prior warning signs for the owner.
Fire while parked with ignition off is a total-loss risk; the 'park outside' advisory substantially impairs the vehicle's safe value and ordinary use. Clients with 2020–2022 Telluride and a tow hitch harness should have VIN checked against 22V626000. If combined with 24V407000 (also fire/park-outside), the vehicle had two concurrent fire recalls — powerful evidence of systematic safety deficiency.
Dealers install a new fuse and wiring harness extension; damaged assemblies replaced entirely. Free of charge.
Grinding noise from drivetrain area; reduced or pulsating motive power; vehicle rolls away when placed in PARK on any incline if the parking brake is not manually applied.
427,407 units — nearly the entire Telluride production run through MY 2024. A vehicle that rolls away in PARK is a fundamental safety and drivability impairment. Interim advisory to manually engage the parking brake each time constitutes substantial impairment of use. Dealer visits for grinding noise prior to recall notice count toward repair-attempt tally.
EPB (Electronic Parking Brake) software update causes the EPB to auto-engage when PARK is selected. Damaged intermediate shafts are replaced as necessary. Free of charge.
Airbag warning light illuminates and remains on; no warning before crash that airbag will fail to deploy. Moving the second-row seat fore/aft repeatedly may cause harness damage.
FMVSS-related airbag non-deployment risk on 2023 MY. If client brought vehicle in for airbag warning light and it was not promptly diagnosed/remedied, those visits count. Latent defect present from delivery on all affected units — strong warranty basis.
Dealers inspect the wiring harness; replace with correctly-sized harness if damaged, or secure the existing harness to prevent seat contact if undamaged. Free of charge.
Instrument cluster (dashboard display) goes completely blank at vehicle startup or while driving; speedometer, odometer, gear indicator, warning lights, and tire pressure display are all unavailable.
Three separate NHTSA safety recalls for the same symptom (blank instrument cluster) across three production years demonstrates a persistent systemic defect. FMVSS 101 noncompliance in each instance. If a client experienced repeated blank-cluster events across multiple dealer visits — even under different recall campaigns — the cumulative attempt count is strong. Each failed software update that did not resolve the issue, or a MY2022 cluster that was not replaced (only reflashed) and later failed again, is a directly countable repair attempt.
21V577 and 23V298: instrument cluster software update. 22V344: full instrument cluster assembly replacement (hardware defect). All remedies free of charge at dealer.
Battery dies unexpectedly after normal overnight or multi-day parking; slow crank or no-start requiring jump-start; flickering dashboard or headlights; intermittent electrical gremlins (infotainment reset, loss of settings); repeated battery replacements that do not resolve the problem.
Repeated dead-battery events with multiple dealer visits and no durable fix are a textbook lemon-law pattern. Counsel should gather all repair orders showing battery replacement, terminal re-tightening, and IBU update to establish repair attempts. If an owner was left stranded by a dead battery on a vehicle within the Song-Beverly warranty period, the 'use and value' impairment element is straightforward. The pending class action (2020–2026 scope) supports broader applicability.
SC274: battery terminal re-tightening (2023 MY). ELE302: IBU software update (2023 MY). No recall issued as of June 2026 for 2020–2022 MY battery drain. Battery replacement alone does not resolve underlying parasitic draw.
Light-throttle vibration or shudder at 40–65 mph; harsh or jerky upshifts and downshifts; hesitation during acceleration from a stop or at highway speeds; torque-converter slip sensation (buzz or flutter) under cruise conditions.
ECU/TCU reflashes that fail to durably resolve shudder or harsh-shift symptoms produce countable repair attempts. Clients should be asked specifically about shudder at highway cruise speeds and shift harshness in stop-and-go traffic. If the dealer performed SA490 and the problem recurred or persisted, that visit counts. Driveability issues that substantially impair use qualify under Song-Beverly even absent a safety risk.
ECU and TCU ROM ID software update via KDS (SA490). May require multiple software revisions; refractory cases may involve torque-converter inspection or replacement.
open
External impact to the front power seat side cover or slide knob may dislodge, misalign, or damage the power seat switch. A damaged switch — or an improper repair under earlier recall 24V407 — can cause the seat motor to run continuously, overheating over time and increasing the risk of fire while driving or parked. Supersedes 24V407; vehicles repaired under the earlier campaign require the new remedy.
remedy available
Due to improper manufacturing of the power seatback recliner by the supplier, the front seatback(s) may not adequately restrain the occupant in certain rear impact collisions. Warning signs include a loose front seatback and/or grinding noise when reclining.
closed
The power seat slide knob may become stuck. When an occupant attempts to adjust the seat, the motor runs continuously against resistance, generating excessive heat and fire risk. Observable symptoms include sticking knob, burning smell, and/or smoke from under seat.
closed
Intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged. Partial engagement progressively damages intermediate shaft splines, allowing vehicle rollaway in PARK if the parking brake is not applied.
closed
Instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
closed
Supplier manufacturing error produced second-row side airbag wiring harnesses that are too short. Contact with a moving second-row seat can damage the harness and prevent side airbag deployment in a crash.
closed
Debris and moisture may accumulate on the tow hitch harness module PCB, causing an electrical short. Fire can occur while vehicle is parked with ignition off or while driving.
closed
Excess adhesive applied to the instrument cluster circuit board at the factory causes the display to go blank. Different hardware root cause from 21V577.
closed
LCD instrument cluster display may remain blank after startup due to a software error, failing to comply with FMVSS 101.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — the state's lemon law — protects new and used vehicle buyers whose cars have a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety. The Telluride's fire recalls do all three. A 'park outside' advisory — meaning you cannot use your own garage — is a textbook safety and use impairment recognized under California Civil Code § 1793.2(d). Every day you were forced to park outside pending a recall repair can support your claim. California law creates a rebuttable presumption that a vehicle is a lemon if: the manufacturer (or its dealer) has made two or more repair attempts on a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, OR four or more repair attempts on any substantial defect, OR the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more days (not necessarily continuous) within the warranty period. If your Telluride qualifies, you may be entitled to a full repurchase — including the price you paid, taxes, fees, and finance charges, minus a mileage offset — or a replacement vehicle of comparable value. The manufacturer pays your attorney's fees if you prevail, which means many California lemon law cases cost the owner nothing. The above is general information only and is not legal advice. Every case turns on its specific facts, dates, and service records.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
Dealers sometimes close a repair order with 'unable to duplicate' (UTD) or 'no trouble found' (NTF) — particularly for intermittent seat issues, electrical problems, and fire risks that have not yet produced a visible event. Here is what to do if that happens on your Telluride: 1. Ask specifically about open recalls before the visit. Your VIN tells the dealer exactly which of the Telluride fire recalls — 24V407 (seat motor) and 22V626 (tow hitch) — apply to your vehicle. A UTD note does not close out an open recall; the recall repair must still be completed. 2. Document physical evidence before the visit. If the seat knob feels sticky or you have smelled burning, write down the date, mileage, conditions (was the car parked or moving?), and which seat was involved. Photograph any discoloration or scorch marks under the seat or near the hitch. 3. Request the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) in writing. For seat electrical issues, stored DTCs related to seat motor circuit overload confirm the event even if it does not recur in the service bay. 4. For the tow hitch fire risk: ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether your vehicle has the OEM Kia 4-pin harness and whether recall 22V626 is complete on your VIN. If it is still open, document the dealer's failure to remedy. 5. Keep every repair order, even UTD ones. Under California's Song-Beverly Act, a UTD visit still counts as a repair attempt toward the lemon law presumption threshold. 6. If the dealer has completed the recall repair but the symptom returns, that is a second repair attempt for the same defect — exactly what California lemon law looks for.
Two separate fire recalls. One 'park outside' advisory covering nearly half a million Tellurides. A driveshaft defect affecting 427,000 more. Three instrument cluster failures across three consecutive model years. This is not an isolated quality miss — it is a pattern. If your Telluride has been back to the dealer for seat fire symptoms, a stuck seat knob, tow hitch concerns, or any recall-related issue — especially if the dealer has taken multiple visits to address it — we encourage you to pull your service records and speak with a California lemon law attorney. The clock on your warranty matters. Do not wait.
— The Margarian Law team
Has your Kia Telluride been recalled for the seat motor fire, the tow hitch fire, or both? If your dealer has taken more than one visit to complete the repair — or if you have been without your garage for weeks waiting for parts — your service records may already meet the threshold for a California lemon law claim. The consultation is free. Find out if Kia owes you a buyback.
Very likely yes, if you own a 2020–2024 Telluride. NHTSA recall 24V407 — Kia internal campaign SC316 — covers 462,869 Tellurides from model years 2020 through 2024. The defect: the power seat slide knob can jam, causing the seat motor to run continuously and overheat to the point of fire. Kia advised owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. The remedy is a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replacement of the seat slide knob — free of charge at any authorized Kia dealer. You can confirm whether the recall is still open on your specific VIN by entering it at nhtsa.gov or safercar.gov.
Yes, if your Telluride has a genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch wiring harness (factory- or dealer-installed) and is a 2020, 2021, or 2022 model year. NHTSA recall 22V626 — Kia campaign SC247 — covers 36,417 such vehicles. Water and debris can accumulate on the harness module's printed circuit board, causing an electrical short that can ignite a fire while the vehicle is parked with the ignition completely off. There may be no warning before the fire starts. Kia advised those owners to park outside, away from structures, until the dealer installs a new fuse and wiring harness extension. The repair is free. If your vehicle was subject to this recall and also the seat motor fire recall (24V407), it carried two concurrent fire recall advisories at the same time — a significant safety impairment that may support a California lemon law claim.
A burning smell from under the front seat is one of the specific warning signs identified in NHTSA recall 24V407. The recall explains that when the power seat slide knob becomes stuck, the seat motor runs continuously against resistance, generating excessive heat. The observable signs Kia lists include a sticking seat slide knob, a burning or melting smell, and smoke from underneath the seat. If you notice any of these, do not continue attempting to adjust the seat. Contact your dealer immediately and ask about recall 24V407. In the meantime, Kia's guidance is to park outside and away from structures. If your dealer has looked at the seat before and said they found nothing, that visit still counts as a repair attempt under California lemon law.
Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the law creates a rebuttable presumption that your vehicle is a lemon if, within the warranty period, the manufacturer or its dealer has made: two or more repair attempts for a defect that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury (fire risk qualifies), OR four or more repair attempts for any defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety, OR the vehicle has been out of service for a total of 30 or more days (not necessarily continuous) due to repairs. For the Telluride, a 'park outside' advisory while waiting for a fire recall repair can count toward the out-of-service days if the vehicle could not be safely used in its normal way. Even a dealer visit that results in 'unable to duplicate' or 'no trouble found' counts as a repair attempt. The above is general information only and is not legal advice.
You may qualify for a buyback — commonly called a repurchase — under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act if the fire recall defects (seat motor overheating or tow hitch wiring harness fire) have required multiple repair attempts or have left your vehicle substantially impaired. A buyback means Kia pays back the full purchase price you paid, including taxes, registration fees, and finance charges, minus a reasonable mileage offset for the miles you drove before the defect first appeared. Kia is also responsible for your attorney's fees if you prevail in a lemon law claim, which is why many California owners pursue these cases at no out-of-pocket cost. The key is your service records — every repair order, recall notice, and 'unable to duplicate' note from the dealer is evidence. The above is general information only and is not legal advice; eligibility depends on the specific facts of your case.
If you continue to notice a burning smell from under the seat after the recall 24V407 repair was performed, that second visit is a new repair attempt for the same defect category — which is precisely what California lemon law looks for. NHTSA recall 24V407 requires dealers to install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knob. If the underlying cause — seat motor overheating under abnormal load — was not fully addressed, or if additional components were damaged before the recall was performed, the symptom can return. Document the date, mileage, and the exact symptom when you return to the dealer, and ask them to inspect whether the recall repair was properly completed and whether any damaged components need replacement. Keep the repair order. A second symptom occurrence after a recall fix is strong evidence that the defect was not adequately repaired.
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