The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·22V626000·Announced 2022-08-15

2020-2022 Kia Telluride tow hitch electrical short fire hazard

Certain 2020-2022 Kia Telluride vehicles with Genuine Kia tow hitch harnesses may experience electrical shorts from debris and moisture, creating a fire risk while parked or driving.

NHTSA safety advisory

Park this vehicle outside

NHTSA advises parking it away from buildings and other vehicles until the repair is done — the risk exists even when the vehicle is switched off.

This is the agency’s own advisory, not our assessment. Contact the manufacturer or a dealer, and see the official NHTSA notice for the current guidance.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: This recall involves a fire hazard from electrical shorts in vehicle tow hitch harnesses, which could result in injury while parked or driving. No deaths or injuries have been reported, making it a risk-of-harm situation without reported incidents.

Plain-English summary

Kia America, Inc. is recalling certain 2020-2022 Kia Telluride vehicles equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment or purchased as an aftermarket accessory through a Kia dealership.

Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire while the vehicle is parked or driving. This fire risk increases the potential for injury.

Approximately 36,417 vehicles are affected by this recall. Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Kia will perform the repair free of charge by installing a new fuse, a wiring harness extension, and inspecting and replacing the tow hitch harness assembly as necessary.

Owner notification letters were mailed on April 12, 2023. Owners can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 with questions. Kia's recall number is SC247.

The recalled product

Product
KIA TELLURIDE
Brand
KIA
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Tow Hitch / Electrical
Hazard
Affected units
36,417

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • TELLURIDE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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