A new Kia Telluride has arrived for the 2027 model year and, by all accounts, it’s an impressive vehicle. However, it shares a problem with its Hyundai Palisade sibling – one that has already proven fatal for one unfortunate Palisade owner's family.Kia has issued a stop-sale order and a recall for its latest Telluride due to power-folding rear seats that can trap and crush a person, especially small children. The issue came to light following a tragic accident in Ohio on March 7, where a two-year-old girl sitting in the third row of a Palisade was killed after she became pinned by a seat that continued folding despite contact. Recall Only Affects Telluride Hybrid KiaAccording to a recall notice published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on March 6 (campaign number 26V173000), the affected vehicles are 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid models in the upmarket SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige trims, but only those equipped with the Executive Package. Due to the model’s recent launch, just 568 examples are affected in the US. Lower-trim Tellurides are equipped with manual folding seats and are therefore not included in the recall.In the case of the Hyundai Palisade, a separate recall has been issued (campaign number 26V160000). It covers both the 2026 Palisade and 2026 Palisade Hybrid models, though only those specified in the higher-end Limited and Calligraphy trims.HyundaiThe issue centers on the rear seat assemblies, which feature automatic folding and a one-touch tilt-and-slide function to ease access to the third row. According to Kia, these seats may fail to detect obstructions and could continue moving even if a person is seated behind them or entering or exiting the rear of the vehicle. A Remedy Still Being Worked On KiaKia said it is still working on a remedy and advised drivers of affected vehicles to exercise caution when using the feature. Owners will be notified by mail once a fix becomes available. For more information, customers can contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542 or Hyundai at 1-855-371-9460, or visit the automakers’ respective recall pages (Kia, Hyundai).The Kia Telluride has proven to be a cornerstone for the brand, with sales of the previous generation growing each year it was on the market and reaching a peak of 123,281 units in 2025, driven by strong demand for affordable three-row SUVs. With the new generation launched this year, Kia is positioned to build on that momentum, offering competitive pricing and more fuel-efficient powertrains that are likely to attract even more buyers and further boost the model’s success. Simply put, the brand cannot afford for one of America's favorite family SUVs to pose a safety risk to families, which is why it's getting ahead of the problem.
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