Defect in the electric mechanism of an SUV is the same that motivated an investigation in the Hyundai Palisade; Failure can cause crushing of passengers
South Korean manufacturer Kia announced the recall of 568 units of the 2027 model Telluride Hybrid SUV due to a critical failure in the electric folding system of the rear seats. The defect is identical to the one that motivated a federal investigation and the temporary suspension of sales of the platform “brother”, the Hyundai Palisade, after a fatal incident involving a child in the United States.
The measure affects the top SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige versions equipped with the Executive Package, manufactured between February and March 2026. According to documents sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the American road safety agency, the problem lies in the “Smart One-Touch Walk-in” function, designed to slide and fold the second row of seats automatically, facilitating access to the third row.
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The technical failure lies in the system’s inability to detect obstructions or passengers during movement. In practice, the electric motor continues to move the seat even if there is a person or object in the way, creating a severe crushing hazard. According to the NHTSA report, 100% of the units recalled have the vulnerability, which does not have, so far, a definitive solution via software update.
The seriousness of the case is accentuated by the recent history of the automotive group. Earlier this year, Hyundai stopped selling the Palisade after the death of a baby, who was trapped under the seat mechanism, which also injured five other people. The episode has amplified concerns about the safety of internal automation systems in large SUVs, which gain increasingly complex electrical functions.
While Kia is working on a physical repair for the components, the official guidance to owners is to be extremely cautious: the electric folding function should not be used if there are passengers accommodated in the rear of the vehicle. The manufacturer says it will notify customers for free replacement of parts as soon as the new design of the mechanism is approved by the authorities.
