Kia Telluride Fire Prompts Recall Safety Reminder

Owners of 2020-2024 models should park outside after a fire damaged 12 vehicles at Salt Lake City International Airport.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Auto Parts

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a solitary SUV silhouette, evoking the safety warning for faulty vehicle seat motors.
Kia has issued an urgent safety recall for 462,000 Telluride SUVs after a seat motor defect caused a fire at Salt Lake City airport. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A 2023 Kia Telluride sparked a fire in the long-term economy parking lot at Salt Lake City International Airport that damaged 12 vehicles. The incident highlights an active recall for 462,000 Kia Telluride SUVs from the 2020 through 2024 model years.

Why it matters

The fire stems from a known defect in the vehicle's power seat motor that poses a fire risk even when the engine is off. Owners of these specific model years should take immediate precautions to protect their property and parking structures.

The recall affects 462,000 Kia Telluride SUVs produced from 2020 through 2024. This incident resulted in 12 vehicles damaged in the Salt Lake City International Airport lot.

The players

Kia

A global vehicle manufacturer currently managing a recall for potential fire hazards in its popular Telluride SUV line.

Salt Lake City International Airport

The local transit hub where fire investigators identified the 2023 Kia Telluride as the source of the parking lot blaze.

The details

The recall focuses on a malfunctioning power seat motor that can overheat, potentially causing a fire. Kia advises owners to park these vehicles outside and away from structures or other vehicles until the necessary repair is completed by a professional. The defect remains a risk while the vehicle is parked, as demonstrated by the fire at the airport.

Timeline

  1. The 2023 Kia Telluride was parked in the airport lot on October 22, 2026.

  2. The fire broke out in the airport parking lot on October 23, 2026.

The Home Front

This fire follows the safety alert pattern established by the NHTSA power seat motor recall for Kia Telluride vehicles. It underscores the importance of adhering to manufacturer parking guidance for recalled models to prevent secondary property damage.

If you own a 2020-2024 Kia Telluride, you should check your status via the official Kia recall portal or contact your local dealer immediately. Always follow the manufacturer instruction to park your vehicle outdoors and away from buildings until the repair is verified by a professional.

The takeaway

Vehicle recalls for electrical components can present fire risks even when a car is not in use. Always verify your VIN against the manufacturer's official database to determine if your vehicle is included in the current 462,000-unit recall.

Further reading

For more information on handling vehicle recalls, visit our guide on Auto Parts.

Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU).

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