Kia is set to recall more than 20,000 Telluride SUVs in Canada due to a fire risk caused by a defect in the front seat adjustment handle.

A total of 20,563 Telluride vehicles from 2020 to 2024 in Canada will be affected, with a similar recall in the United States impacting 462,869 vehicles.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one of the seat adjustment handles can become stuck and cause the front seat motor to overheat, potentially leading to a fire while parked or driving.

In the United States, the automaker advises vehicle owners to park their cars outdoors away from other vehicles and structures until the recall process is completed, which may take seven weeks or more before repairs start in
Canada.

A Kia spokesperson said during a media statement, "All affected vehicle owners are scheduled to be notified by mail starting July 31, 2024, with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealer, directing dealers to install a brace to reinforce the rear power seat key cover and replace the sliding seat handle with an improved one."

Although there have been no reported injuries or fatalities in Canada and the United States, U.S. authorities have recorded at least one fire under a seat and six incidents of localized melting in the seat tilt motor between August 2022 and March 2024.

While the recall was announced in the United States on June 7, the Canadian recall has not been officially announced by Kia or the Canadian Transport Authority.

For its part, a spokesperson for the Canadian Transport Authority said, "When notified of the recall by the vehicle manufacturer, the Canadian Transport Authority shares the information in the database."

He added, "The Canadian Transport Authority recommends that all vehicle owners register their cars with the manufacturer to ensure they are notified when a safety recall is issued."