Kia’s massive recall of over 300,000 popular Telluride and K5 vehicles exposes yet another foreign automaker’s quality control failures that put American families at risk on our highways.
Story Snapshot
- Kia recalls 201,149 Telluride SUVs and 100,063 K5 sedans for dangerous trim detachment issues
- Defective door belt molding and rear window trims can fall off while driving, creating deadly road hazards
- This marks another in a series of Kia recalls, including nearly 500,000 Tellurides for rollaway risks in 2024
- Free repairs available at dealerships, with owner notifications starting September 26, 2025
Massive Safety Recall Affects Popular Family Vehicles
Kia America announced a recall of 301,212 vehicles on July 28, 2025, under NHTSA Campaign Number 25V494000. The recall affects 2023-2025 Telluride SUVs and K5 sedans due to exterior trim components that can detach while driving. Door belt molding on Tellurides and rear window trims on K5s pose serious safety risks when they fall off at highway speeds, potentially causing accidents for other motorists who must swerve to avoid debris or suffer vehicle damage from impact.
Pattern of Quality Control Problems Emerges
This recall represents the latest in a troubling series of Kia safety issues that have plagued American consumers. In March 2024, Kia recalled nearly 500,000 Telluride SUVs for rollaway risks due to driveshaft engagement problems requiring software updates for electronic parking brakes. Multiple class action lawsuits have targeted Telluride models for brake defects, transmission issues, and other safety-related failures between 2020-2024. These recurring problems raise serious questions about Kia’s manufacturing standards and quality assurance processes for vehicles sold to American families.
Free Repairs Available But Inconvenience Remains
Kia has committed to providing free inspection and replacement of defective trim components at authorized dealerships nationwide. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed by September 26, 2025, though affected vehicle owners can contact Kia customer service immediately to schedule repairs. The recall covers model years 2023-2025 for both vehicle lines, representing some of Kia’s newest and most popular offerings in the competitive SUV and sedan markets.
While no injuries have been reported specifically related to this trim detachment issue, the potential for serious accidents remains high when vehicle parts fall off at highway speeds. The recall underscores the importance of addressing even seemingly minor defects that can create major safety hazards for all road users.
Sources:
Kia Class Action Claims Tellurides Have Brake Defect
Kia Telluride Brake Problems Class Action Lawsuit
Kia’s Recall to Address Rollaways in Half a Million SUVs
