Kia Recalls Thousands of SUVs Due to Headlight Failure: What Owners Need to Know
Kia America has issued a significant safety recall affecting over 125,000 of its popular Telluride SUVs from the 2020-2023 model years. The recall is due to a critical fault that can cause both front headlights to suddenly and completely fail without warning, drastically increasing the risk of a crash, especially when driving at night or in low-visibility conditions. Owners of affected vehicles should immediately stop driving their SUVs after dark and contact a local Kia dealer for a free repair.
This recall, officially designated NHTSA Recall Number 24V-413, centers on a defective printed circuit board (PCB) within the Headlamp Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) module. The specific SUVs involved are the 2020-2023 Kia Telluride models manufactured between January 9, 2019, and October 26, 2022. The issue is not related to standard halogen or LED bulbs but is a fundamental electronic failure within the sophisticated lighting control unit itself. Kia initiated the recall after identifying a pattern of field reports and warranty claims related to complete headlight outage. The problem has been traced back to an overload condition on the PCB, which can cause the headlamp controller to short-circuit and permanently shut down. When this happens, both low-beam and high-beam functions are lost simultaneously, though daytime running lights, turn signals, and other exterior lamps may continue to operate, which can misleadingly suggest the vehicle still has some forward illumination.
The danger posed by this defect cannot be overstated. A sudden and complete loss of forward lighting eliminates the driver's ability to see the road ahead, nearby obstacles, pedestrians, or animals. It also makes the vehicle virtually invisible to oncoming traffic, creating a dual-sided hazard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has categorized this as a high-priority recall due to the direct and severe impact on vehicle safety. There is no temporary fix or warning sign that reliably precedes the failure, making it an unpredictable event.
If you own a Kia Telluride from the included model years, you must take specific steps to ensure your safety and comply with the recall remedy. First, check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the official NHTSA recall website or Kia's own recall lookup page. Even if you have not experienced a problem, your vehicle may be part of the recall population. Kia will begin mailing formal notification letters to registered owners starting in late June 2024. However, due to the severity of the risk, you should not wait for the letter to arrive before taking action.
Upon confirming your vehicle is recalled, contact an authorized Kia dealership immediately to schedule the repair. Kia has instructed dealers to replace both left and right headlamp assemblies with new, rectified units at no cost to the owner. The repair is expected to take several hours, and dealers can provide a loaner vehicle if available. It is crucial to emphasize that until this repair is completed, driving the vehicle after sunset or in conditions requiring headlights is strongly discouraged. If you must drive, plan your travel during daylight hours only.
The root cause analysis points to a supplier-level component issue. The PCB within the ADB module was not designed to handle certain electrical loads, leading to the overload and subsequent failure. Kia's remedy of replacing the entire headlamp assembly, rather than just a internal component, ensures the faulty PCB is entirely removed from the vehicle. This is a permanent fix designed to prevent any recurrence of the problem for the life of the vehicle.
Beyond the immediate recall steps, this situation highlights important considerations for vehicle safety and owner rights. You are entitled to a free repair for a safety recall defect, regardless of your vehicle's age or mileage. The repair will be performed by certified technicians using Kia-authorized parts. Keep all documentation related to the recall repair for your records. If a dealer attempts to charge you for this service, you should refuse and contact Kia Customer Service directly at 1-800-333-4542.
Furthermore, if you have previously paid for repairs related to headlight failure on your Telluride, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Kia typically has a reimbursement process for owners who paid for repairs later covered by a recall. You will need to gather your repair receipts and proof of payment and submit them to Kia according to the instructions that will be included in the official recall notification letter.
From a broader consumer perspective, this recall underscores the importance of keeping your vehicle registration and contact information up-to-date with the manufacturer. It also serves as a reminder to periodically check for open recalls on your vehicle, as not all issues receive widespread media attention. Safety recalls are serious mandates, and compliance is not optional for manufacturers; it is a legal requirement enforced by NHTSA.
Kia's handling of this recall involves direct notification, a clear and definitive repair procedure, and the instruction to warn owners against nighttime driving. This approach aligns with standard protocols for serious safety defects. The company has also paused the sale of any new or used affected Tellurides in dealer inventory until the recall repair is performed. Owners with additional questions are urged to reach out to Kia's customer service or consult the NHTSA recall database for the latest public information.
For current and prospective Telluride owners, this recall, while significant, is a contained issue with a clear resolution path. The Telluride has otherwise maintained strong safety and reliability ratings. The proactive identification and remediation of this fault demonstrate the safety recall system functioning as intended. Owners who promptly complete the repair can expect their vehicles to be restored to full and safe operation. The key takeaway is immediate action: verify your VIN, contact your dealer, and arrange for the essential repair to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road.