2023-2025 Kia K5s And Tellurides Are Literally Falling Apart originally appeared on Autoblog.
Two Separate Vehicles With The Same Issue
Recalls and reliability concerns affect automakers across the spectrum, but lately, a few of them have been dealing with similar issues. Are these automakers all using substandard adhesives? Perhaps, because after a recall to address trim detaching from the Tesla Cybertruck and another for the same sort of issue with Mercedes SUVs, Kia has now reported a similar issue that affects two of its products. The separate recalls, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, affect the Kia K5 and the Kia Telluride, two of the brand's strongest sellers.
What The Issue Is
We'll deal with the recall for the K5 first, which affects 2023-2025 models. Kia says that 100,063 examples may have left and right rear window trim pieces that may loosen and detach. Once the C-pillar garnish plate begins to progressively delaminate, wind resistance may cause it to eventually detach completely, potentially causing a hazard to other road users. Kia first attempted to address this issue in November 2023, when it issued a service action on 2024 K5 vehicles. Following additional reports, the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation contacted Kia in May this year, after which Kia evaluated the issue in June. More discussions took place with the ODI last month, with the final data analysis revealing that there have been 4,082 unique reports of the issue following Kia's service action in 2023.
The issue for the Telluride is very similar, also affecting 2023-2025 models, but with more than double the number of potentially affected vehicles at 201,149. On the Telluride, the detaching trim is the door belt molding face plate, and problems began showing up as early as June 2023. In neither case have any accidents or injuries been reported.
Kia's Solution
Unfortunately, Kia is still some way from addressing the issue, as both recalls do not yet have a remedy available. The documents say that dealers will be notified of the recalls in writing on September 23, with owners expected to be notified by first-class mail three days later. That means the problem likely won't be resolved before the beginning of October. In the meantime, Kia's recall number SC346 refers to the K5, and recall number SC346 applies to the Telluride. For the record, Kia's record July figures saw 5,879 K5 sedans sold (up from 4,713 a year prior), while Telluride sales jumped 15% to 10,411 units.
Related: Next Kia Telluride Could Debut With Game-Changing Powertrain
2023-2025 Kia K5s And Tellurides Are Literally Falling Apart first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 5, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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