Car safety recalls: Kia tells owners to park outside as Honda and Ford recall more than 1 million vehicles

The latest round of automobile recalls includes two repeat-repair campaigns and a Ford transmission defect that could damage the parking mechanism and allow a vehicle to roll away.

Together, the three largest recent campaigns cover nearly 1.53 million vehicles.

Kia Telluride fire recall

Vehicles affected: 462,869
Models: 2020-2024 Kia Telluride
NHTSA Recall ID: 26V-430
Kia recall number: SC374

Kia is recalling Telluride SUVs because the motor controlling a front power seat can overheat and start a fire while the vehicle is being driven or parked.

An impact to the power-seat side cover or adjustment knob can dislodge or damage the seat switch. The motor may then continue running after the driver releases the switch, eventually causing it to overheat.

The recall also covers vehicles that were repaired under Kia’s previous 2024 campaign. Kia determined that an improperly completed earlier repair could leave the fire risk in place.

Warning signs may include:

• A power seat that keeps moving after the switch is released
• A seat-adjustment knob that sticks
• A burning or melting smell
• Smoke coming from beneath a front seat

Kia has reported seven seat fires and 11 incidents involving melted seat motors, but no crashes or injuries.

What owners should do

NHTSA and Kia say affected Tellurides should be parked outside and away from homes, garages and other vehicles until the new repair is completed.

Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly that cuts power if the seat motor runs continuously. The repair will be free.

Owner letters are scheduled to begin going out August 13. Kia says the new campaign replaces NHTSA Recall 24V-407, meaning vehicles repaired under that earlier campaign will need to return for the new remedy. (NHTSA)

Honda Odyssey backup cameras

Vehicles affected: 325,588
Models: 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey
NHTSA Recall ID: 26V-423
Honda recall number: HOX

Honda is recalling Odyssey minivans because water can enter the rearview-camera housing and corrode the camera’s circuit board.

The backup-camera image may then fail to appear when the transmission is shifted into reverse, reducing the driver’s view of children, pedestrians, vehicles and other objects behind the minivan.

The campaign expands a 2020 recall. Some vehicles previously received redesigned cameras made by Magna, but Honda says those replacement units can also experience water intrusion. Dealers will now replace them with cameras supplied by Sony.

Honda estimates that about 0.8% of the recalled vehicles have the defect.

Dealers will replace the camera free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning August 24. (NHTSA)

Ford and Lincoln rollaway risk

Vehicles affected: 741,195
NHTSA Recall ID: 26V-402
Ford recall number: 26S48

Affected vehicles include:

• 2018-2021 Ford Expedition
• 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator
• 2020-2021 Ford Explorer
• 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator
• 2021 Ford F-150

Ford says the transmission parking pawl may temporarily engage while the vehicle is moving. That can damage the parking system and later allow the vehicle to roll away after the driver shifts into park.

Ford has identified 24 reports of property damage and nine alleged injuries potentially related to the condition.

Dealers will update the powertrain-control software and inspect the transmission’s parking components. Damaged parts will be replaced without charge.

The timing is less reassuring. Ford expects to mail interim warning letters beginning August 3, but says the completed repair is not anticipated to become available until April 2027.

Owners should consistently engage the parking brake and should not rely exclusively on the transmission’s park position, particularly when parking on an incline. (NHTSA)

RV owners should also check their units

Two smaller recreational-vehicle recalls involve improperly grounded electrical inverters:

• NHTSA Recall 26V-426: Certain 2026 Jayco Seismic fifth-wheel toy haulers
• NHTSA Recall 26V-427: Certain 2026 Heartland Cyclone travel trailers and fifth wheels

An inverter installed without a grounding connection may increase the risk of electric shock.

Dealers will install a grounding wire free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 10. (Family RVing Magazine)

How to check a vehicle

Recall announcements list model years, but they do not necessarily include every vehicle produced during those years.

Owners should check the vehicle’s 17-character VIN through NHTSA’s recall-search system or the agency’s SaferCar app. Recall repairs performed by an authorized dealer are free.

Consumers should be especially cautious about campaigns labeled:

• Park outside
• Do not drive
• Do not charge
• Remedy not yet available

Those instructions indicate that ordinary use or storage may continue to expose consumers to a serious hazard.

The Kia campaign is the clear headline because it involves a fire risk and requires owners whose vehicles were already repaired to return for another fix.