Kia America, Inc. recall 26V356

Affected vehicles (2)

Component / system

Defect

Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Telluride and Telluride Hybrid vehicles. The driver seat belt emergency locking retractor may lock, causing the seat belt strap not to extend. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Risk / consequence

A seat belt strap that does not extend can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 31, 2026. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 16, 2026.

Chronology of events

1. Apr 8, 2026

   April 8, 2026 During routine review of field data, Kia North America (Kia NA) identifies Techline case involving a 2027MY Telluride [Vehicle 1] with a complaint of the driver's seatbelt getting stuck when pulling webbing and not allowing full extension of the belt. Kia NA informs Kia Georgia and begins monitoring issue.

2. Apr 24, 2026

   April 24, 2026 Kia NA and Kia Georgia inspect a 2027MY Telluride [Vehicle 2] with complaint of driver’s seatbelt locking when extending webbing but are unable to duplicate issue on vehicle. Kia Georgia collects incident part for further evaluation.

3. Apr 30, 2026

   April 30, 2026 Kia Georgia works with seatbelt supplier and identifies supplier may have equipped certain driver seatbelt assemblies with the incorrect vehicle sensor. Kia NA Safety Office conducts preliminary data analysis and identifies ten warranty claims related to driver's seatbelts locking or not extending. Kia NA Safety Office escalates issue for further investigation.

4. May 1, 2026

   May 1, 2026—May 15, Kia NA Safety Office inspects 2027MY Telluride vehicles in the 2026 field and finds seatbelts lock when attempting to extend webbing while vehicles are stationary.

5. May 18, 2026

   May 18, 2026—May 26, Kia HQ provides Kia NA Safety Office performance test report of 2026 sample seatbelt assembly with incorrect vehicle sensor for further review with supplier and Kia Georgia. Kia NA Safety Office works with Kia Georgia and supplier to evaluate circumstances surrounding emergency locking retractor (ELR) activation resulting in locking of the driver’s seatbelt at less than 15 degrees when rotated from its orientation in the vehicle.

6. May 26, 2026

   May 26, 2026 Kia NA completes regulatory review and finds vehicles equipped with seatbelt assemblies that lock at an angle of less than 15 degrees under zero acceleration loading do not comply with the ELR directional rotation requirements of FMVSS 209, section S4.3(j)(2)(i)(E). Kia NA Safety Office decides to conduct a noncompliance recall of certain 2027MY Telluride and Telluride Hybrid vehicles. No crashes, injuries, or fatalities. 1 Kia America, Inc.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

Jun 03, 2026 - Jun 03, 2026 No Dealers

Owner notification

Jul 31, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026 Phased Recall