Kia’s popular SUV is subject to a mass recall after it was discovered that they could unexpectedly roll away, even whilst the vehicle is parked.
History of the Recall
The popular Korean automaker has announced a widespread recall of the Telluride model after finding an issue with the driveshaft system. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the driveshaft has been incorrectly assembled. Affecting both the intermediate driveshaft and the front right driveshaft, the recall indicates that it may only be partially engaged when the vehicle is parked up.
As a result of the failed driveshaft, could lead to unintended movement of the vehicle after the shaft splines slowly wear down over time. This could mean the vehicle rolls forward on its own which may cause a crash.
Which Kia Models Are Affected?
The recall affects 427,407 Kia Telluride SUVs. The affected models were built from January 9, 2019, through October 19, 2023, which translates to 2020-2023 and some 2024 model years. Kia has explained that only approximately 1% of the vehicles will end up being affected by this defect.
Only some 2024 models are affected, as after October 19, 2023, Kia has stated that the supplier which manufactures the driveshafts has additional vision systems that make sure the part is assembled correctly.
What do Owners Need to do Next?
Kia says that the symptoms of the driveshaft defect include grinding noise and power loss. If you drive a Kia Telluride which has been affected by this recall, you should listen out for any unusual noises and be wary of any reduced performance from your SUV.
Letters will be sent to the owners who are affected by this recall instructing them to take their vehicles to a Kia dealership. From here, technicians will inspect the intermediate driveshaft and replace it if required. An update to the parking brake software will also be installed to ensure that the vehicle has no unintended movement when parked.
How Consumers Can Take Back Control
This latest announcement from Kia and NHTSA could result in a vehicle moving even when parked. This poses a significant safety risk to other people wherever you might park. Whilst the recall aims to prevent this issue, many owners continue to be unhappy with the solutions provided by automakers. These problems have the potential to escalate into further legal action, just like this – underlining the importance of protecting consumer rights.
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