Kia America, Inc. recall 26V173

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige vehicles equipped with the Executive Package. The second-row power seats may fail to detect a person. The seat may continue to move after contacting a person during powered seat functions, such as one-touch tilt-and-slide or automatic power fold-and-stow.

Risk / consequence

A person, especially a child, may become trapped by a rear powered seat, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to exercise caution when operating the second-row power seat functions until the repair is performed. Children are advised to not be in the rear seats or near the rear seating area during power-folding operation. The power second-row seat control unit software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 20, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC366. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 25, 2026.

Chronology of events

1. Mar 13, 2026

   March 13, 2026 Kia Corporation (Kia HQ) informs Kia North America (Kia NA) Safety Office of Hyundai’s decision to recall certain Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. market regarding the second and third row power seat assemblies. Kia NA Safety Office requests Kia HQ to verify whether any Kia vehicles sold in the U.S. are equipped with the same or similar power seat design and operation as the recalled Hyundai vehicles. Kia NA Safety Office reviews and confirms that no Kia vehicles sold in the U.S. are equipped with power third-row seats.

2. Mar 16, 2026

   March 16, 2026 Kia HQ informs Kia NA Safety Office that the operation logic of the optional power second-row seat assemblies in the 2027MY Telluride Hybrid is substantially similar to that of the power second-row seat assemblies in the recalled Hyundai vehicles. Kia NA Safety Office identifies no related field data involving the power second-row seat operation. No accidents or injuries.

3. Mar 16, 2026

   March 16, 2026 Kia NA Safety Office decides to recall certain 2027MY Telluride Hybrid vehicles equipped with the optional power second-row seat assemblies as a precautionary measure. 1 Kia America, Inc.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

Mar 20, 2026 - Mar 20, 2026 No Dealers

Owner notification

May 19, 2026 - May 19, 2026 Phased Recall