Kia just recalled 85,448 copies of the 2025 Telluride. The problem: front seatback frames can come loose in a crash. If you’re shopping a Telluride right now, that sounds scarier than it actually is once you know the details.
This Kia Telluride seat recall only hits one model year. It’s tied to a narrow production window, and the fix is a free dealer visit. That makes it a very different situation than the Telluride’s other, much bigger recall history.
What exactly is wrong with these Tellurides?
The driver and front-passenger seatback frames on affected trucks have a manufacturing defect. It can let the seat fail to properly hold an occupant during certain rear-impact crashes. Owners may notice a grinding noise when reclining the seat before the frame actually gives way.
Per the NHTSA filing, the affected vehicles are 2025 Tellurides with power front seats. They were built between November 1, 2024, and August 8, 2025. Kia’s supplier initially tested the parts and claimed they met federal safety standards. Kia’s own internal crash testing disagreed, though, and the company pushed the recall anyway. That’s the kind of caution you want from an automaker.
Kia says it found only a small number of confirmed problem VINs during its investigation. No crashes, injuries, or deaths had been tied to the defect at the time of filing.
How do I know if my Telluride is affected?
Only 2025 model-year Tellurides with power front seats are included. The recall is specific to that roughly nine-month production run. Check your VIN directly at NHTSA.gov rather than guessing by model year alone, since not every 2025 Telluride has power seats.
Kia’s dealer notifications went out in late February 2026. Formal owner letters followed, mailed starting April 24, 2026. The fix is straightforward: dealers inspect the seatback frame and replace it for free if it doesn’t pass inspection. Kia’s internal reference is recall SC362, and owners can call 1-800-333-4542 with questions.
Is this the Telluride’s only recent recall?
No, and that’s worth knowing before you buy. The 2025 Telluride has also been hit with a recall for an incorrect spare tire. That part can mess with ABS and traction control. There’s also a separate issue involving door belt trim that can detach and become a road hazard.
None of those come close to the scale of the Telluride’s other headline-grabbing recall, though. Kia had to recall more than 460,000 older Tellurides from the 2020-2024 model years. Power seat motors were found to overheat and start fires. It was serious enough that owners were told to park outside. That one doesn’t apply to the 2025 model, which uses different hardware. Still, it shows Kia’s seat suppliers have had a rough few years.
Should you still buy a 2025 Telluride in 2026?
Yes, with one condition: confirm the recall work is done before you hand over any money. A seatback frame swap is a routine, free repair. It’s not a structural rebuild, and dealers have had months to work through the backlog already.
There’s also a timing wrinkle that actually works in your favor. Kia skipped the 2026 model year entirely. It jumped straight to a redesigned 2027 Telluride. That means every 2025 is effectively “leftover” inventory that dealers want gone. That’s good news for negotiating leverage on a vehicle that was already well-reviewed and competitively priced.
| Spec | 2025 Telluride (gas) | 2027 Telluride (gas) | 2027 Telluride Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | ~$37,805 | $40,735 | $48,035 |
| Engine | 3.8L V6, 291 hp | 2.5L turbo-4, 274 hp | 2.5L turbo-4 + electric motor, 329 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 339 lb-ft |
| Avg. used price (2025 MY) | ~$36,085 | n/a (too new) | n/a |
If you want the lowest price and don’t need the newest tech, a recall-repaired 2025 Telluride is still a genuinely good three-row SUV. It’s roomy, well-built, and now cheaper to negotiate than ever. If you’d rather have more power, a hybrid option, and a fresh design, waiting a few months for the 2027 model makes sense too.
What should you check before signing on a used Telluride?
Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup tool yourself. Don’t just trust a dealer’s word. Also ask for proof of completed recall work in writing, not just a verbal assurance. Open recalls can follow a vehicle for years and affect resale.
If you’re cross-shopping other recalled SUVs right now, it’s worth comparing how different automakers have handled similar seat issues. Kia’s own Seltos recall followed a similar pattern: a narrow production window and a free dealer fix. That’s generally the lower-risk kind of recall to buy into.
And if you’re weighing a used Telluride against a certified pre-owned option for extra peace of mind, our breakdown of whether CPO coverage is worth the extra cost can help you decide if that added protection makes sense for a recall-prone model like this one.
FAQ
How many Kia Tellurides were recalled for the seat issue?
Kia recalled 85,448 model-year 2025 Telluride SUVs equipped with power front seats, built between November 2024 and August 2025.
Is the Telluride seat recall the same as the fire recall?
No. The seat motor fire recall covers older 2020-2024 Tellurides and is unrelated hardware. This newer recall covers 2025 models and involves the seatback frame structure, not the motor.
Is there a 2026 Kia Telluride?
No. Kia skipped the 2026 model year and moved directly from the 2025 Telluride to a redesigned 2027 version. The new model adds a turbo four-cylinder engine and an available hybrid powertrain.
Does an open recall hurt resale value?
It can. Unresolved recalls show up in vehicle history reports and can make buyers, dealers, and lenders hesitant. Get any recall work completed and keep the paperwork before you sell or trade in.