Kia Issues Recall for Over 300,000 Vehicles Due to Safety Concerns
Kia America has announced two separate recalls affecting more than 300,000 vehicles due to potential safety hazards presented by loose components around the doors and windows that could detach and jeopardize other drivers.
The recalls impact 201,149 Telluride models manufactured between 2023 and 2025, due to issues with the door belt moldings. An additional 100,063 K5 models from the same production period are affected, concerning problems with window trim detachment. These announcements were made in notices released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on July 28.
According to the NHTSA, loose trim pieces can create "a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash."
The issue with the Telluride models involves the potential loosening and detachment of the door belt molding trims. These trims run along the top edge of the door where the window meets the metal frame, as noted by the NHTSA.
Similarly, the K5 models might face detachment issues with the C-pillar garnish face plates—decorative panels positioned near the left and right rear windows, as indicated in the second notice.
A quality problem with a supplier has been cited as the cause of the risk, leading to the C-pillar garnish face plate and door belt molding potentially becoming detached over time. The Kia North America Safety Office provided this clarification in additional notices released on July 29.
"If the vehicle continues to be operated under these conditions, the face plate may eventually fall off," Kia stated. "A face plate detaching while driving poses a risk to other road users, possibly leading to accidents."
Owners can bring their vehicles to a Kia dealership for a complimentary inspection and replacement of the affected C-pillar and belt molding trim assemblies, per the NHTSA notices.
"Dealers will replace any affected C-pillar garnish assemblies that were not previously corrected under warranty with improved versions," the NHTSA specified. "Additionally, Kia will reimburse owners for any repair expenses already incurred, in accordance with Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan established on May 1, 2024."
Letters informing owners of the K5 and Telluride recalls are anticipated to be dispatched on September 26, according to the NHTSA. For further assistance, vehicle owners can reach Kia customer service at 800-333-4542, referencing recall number SC346 for the K5 and SC347 for the Telluride.
Vehicle owners can verify if their car is impacted by visiting the NHTSA recall website, which allows searches by make, model, license plate, or Vehicle Identification Number.
As of now, both NHTSA and Kia have not provided immediate comments in response to inquiries from industry media.
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