A risk of unintended movement while parked has led to the recall of the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride three-row SUV, as revealed by the NHTSA on Monday.
The potential issue lies in the incomplete engagement of the front passenger driveshaft with the intermediate shaft in the transmission. This incomplete connection may cause the splines to deteriorate over time, resulting in the vehicle rolling away even when in park. Kia advises owners to activate the electronic parking brake after placing the Telluride in park until the issue is resolved.
Indicators of this problem may include grinding noises, vibrations, reduced power during acceleration, and difficulty shifting gears. Any movement while the vehicle is parked should be addressed promptly. Kia has acknowledged 16 instances of unintended vehicle movements involving Tellurides, with six cases experiencing spline damage. Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or accidents related to this recall.
A total of 427,407 Tellurides are affected by this recall, a model that has been extremely popular since its launch by Kia in 2020.
The Telluride, recognized for its attractive design, spacious interior, features, and generous warranty, has been awarded The Car Connection Best Car To Buy title three times in the last four years. Sales of the Telluride saw an 11% increase in 2023, reaching 110,765 units, making it the third best-selling model for Kia after the Sportage compact crossover and the Forte economy car, now rebranded as the 2025 Kia K4. Prior to the introduction of the EV9 electric three-row crossover at the end of last year, the Telluride stood as the largest and most expensive offering from the brand, with an average price of around $50,000.
This marks the fifth recall for the Kia Telluride since 2020, a number below the norm for new vehicle debuts. The most significant previous recall involved a potential fire risk due to a short-circuit in the tow hitch harness.
Owners will receive notifications by mail starting May 15 to bring their Tellurides to Kia dealers for a software update related to the electronic parking brake. This update will activate automatically when the vehicle is shifted into park and the engine is turned off, effectively minimizing the rollaway risk. In the meantime, Kia advises owners to manually engage the electronic brake before switching off the SUV. Tellurides manufactured after October 20, 2023, feature a driveshaft assembly that remains fully engaged at all times.
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