Key Takeaways

• Kia is recalling over 427,000 Telluride SUVs for potential rollaway risk.
• Owners reported grinding noises and difficulty shifting into Park or Reverse, prompting the recall.
• Owners are urged to activate the parking brake manually and visit their local Kia dealership.

Kia is taking the sensible, albeit costly, step of recalling practically every Telluride the carmaker has ever made (all 2020-2023 models built from January 9, 2019 to October 19, 2023), with some 427,407 units recalled for a potential rollaway risk.

In the recall report submitted to the NHTSA, Kia says that “The intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft may not be fully engaged due to suspected improper assembly by the supplier. Over time, partial engagement can cause damage to the intermediate shaft splines. Damaged shaft splines may result in unintended vehicle movement while in Park if the parking brake is not engaged.”

Complaints related to this issue date back to April 2022, when Kia Telluride owners informed the Kia North America Safety Office that the transmission was not holding in Park, grinding noises could be heard, and they were unable to shift into Park or Reverse. They also noted a “noise when hitting [a] bump and/or while turning.”

Accidental Rollaway Needs To Be Taken Seriously

Kia Telluride owners are urged to get their SUVs checked out ASAP. In the meantime, the NHTSA recommends that drivers activate the parking brake manually whenever they park up. Back in 2016, Star Trek actor, Anton Yelchin, was killed after his Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled down his driveway and pinned him to a gate post. While the cause of the rollaway was different in that case, there could be a similar result.

Of the 16 reported cases so far, six were found to “to have spline damage/wear on intermediate shaft consistent with intermediate shaft and right-hand front axle partial engagement.” Kia opines that around 1% of the models being recalled by might be affected, which is over 4,000 cars. Kia says it’s unaware of any injuries or crashes related to the problem, but if you have one parked outside your home, don’t take any chances and get this looked into.

The Remedy: Head To Your Local Kia Dealership

Owners should head to their local dealership where Kia says dealers “will install updated Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) software to automatically engage the EPB to prevent unintended vehicle movement when the gear shifter is in the ‘P’ (Park) position and the engine is turned off, or when the vehicle is stopped in any gear shifter position and the driver’s door opens.” Dealers will also inspect and replace any parts related to the issue.

Kia will start writing to owners on May 15, but if you’re reading this and own a Telluride, contact Kia’s customer service hotline at 800-333-4542 and reference the recall number SC303.