Kia Telluride Recalled for Wrong Seat Belts
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Kia is recalling 30,168 of its 2020 Telluride SUVs because seat belt assemblies designed for vehicles sold in the Middle East may have been inadvertently installed in vehicles sold in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These parts may make it difficult or impossible to securely install a child safety seat.
Kia has said that there have been no deaths or injuries associated with this condition.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: 30,168 Kia Tellurides produced between Jan. 9, 2019, and Aug. 5, 2019.
The problem: Seat belt assemblies designed for Tellurides sold in markets other than the U.S. may have been inadvertently installed in the driver, front passenger, second-row, and/or third-row seats of the affected vehicles. The affected driver’s-side seat belts do not comply with U.S. specifications, according to NHTSA. In addition, the front passenger, second-row, and third-row seat belt assemblies do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards because they lack an automatic locking retractor (ALR). Without the ALR, a child safety seat may not be properly secured.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver, front passenger, second-row, and third-row assemblies. If an incorrect assembly is installed, the dealer will replace it with the correct one.
How to contact the manufacturer: Owners may call 800-333-4542. The recall is expected to begin Aug. 30, 2019. Kia’s number for this recall is SC181.
NHTSA campaign number: 19V594.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has a recall that needs to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly.
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