Kia Telluride
The claim: Telluride secures highest honor from IIHS for second consecutive year.
by Kia
◐ Mixed evidence · Well sourced (15 sources)
By PixPause Editorial · 3 min read · Verified September 26, 2026
Partly. The Kia Telluride really did win a rare set of 2020 awards and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ratings for 2023 and 2024. But the 2020–2024 model has been recalled twice for a front seat motor that can start a fire (the 2024 fix wasn't enough) and once for rolling away in Park. Those recalls don't cover the 2027 redesign.
Make your guess on the slip to reveal the answer- "Telluride secures highest honor from IIHS for second consecutive year."✓ HOLDS
- "The only SUV to capture World Car of the Year, North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, MotorTrend SUV of the Year and Car and Driver 10Best honors in the same year (2020)."✓ HOLDS
- "The front power seat fire risk was fixed by the 2024 recall repair."✕ FALSE
BUYING THE HYPE
▸ HYPE VS REALITY
Kia sells the Telluride as its standout family SUV: "Telluride secures highest honor from IIHS for second consecutive year" (Top Safety Pick+ for 2023 and 2024), and Kia calls it "the only SUV to capture World Car of the Year, North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, MotorTrend SUV of the Year and Car and Driver 10Best honors - in the same year (2020)."
The awards and the crash-test ratings are real: IIHS lists the 2023 Telluride as a Top Safety Pick+, and the 2020 World Car of the Year, MotorTrend SUV of the Year and North American Utility Vehicle of the Year wins are independently recorded. But crash ratings measure how a car protects you in a crash, not whether parts fail. The same 2020–2024 first-generation Telluride has had repeated serious recalls: 462,869 cars for a front power seat motor that can overheat and start a fire (June 2024, owners told to park outside), recalled again in July 2026 because the seat could still overheat, including after an improper first repair; and 427,407 cars for a roll-away risk while in Park (March 2024). These recalls cover 2020–2024 models only, not the redesigned 2027 Telluride.
The trophies are earned: few three-row SUVs have a record like the Telluride's, and its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ ratings are real. But "safest pick" and "most awarded" say nothing about reliability, and the 2020–2024 model has needed a fire-risk seat recall twice, plus a roll-away recall. If you own or are buying a used 2020–2024 Telluride, check its VIN on NHTSA and make sure the July 2026 seat fix is done. The 2027 redesign is not covered by these recalls.
This verdict would change if new, credible evidence emerged contradicting the claim "Telluride secures highest honor from IIHS for second consecutive year." — for example, an independent test or investigation finding the opposite of what's currently confirmed.
▸ CLAIM CHECK
- IIHS 2023 Top Safety Picks — Kia — IIHS lists the 2023 Kia Telluride among its 2023 TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners.
- 2024 Kia Telluride earns IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus award — Kia America Newsroom — Kia (March 5, 2024): the 2024 Telluride earned the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating, the second consecutive year.
- NHTSA recall 24V407000: front power seat motor fire risk (2020–2024 Telluride) — IIHS crash ratings don't cover defects: in June 2024 Kia recalled 462,869 2020–2024 Tellurides because the front power seat motor may overheat and cause a fire; owners were told to park outside.
- Kia Telluride — Wikipedia — "In 2020, the Telluride received the 2020 World Car of the Year as well as Motor Trend's SUV of the Year."
- Winners of the 2020 North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year — NACTOY — The NACTOY jury named the Kia Telluride the 2020 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. (The Car and Driver 10Best part rests on Kia's own statement; PixPause did not independently check it.)
- NHTSA recall 24V407000: front power seat motor fire risk (2020–2024 Telluride) — June 2024: dealers were to install a bracket for the power seat switch back covers and replace the seat slide knobs on 462,869 2020–2024 Tellurides.
- NHTSA recall 26V430000: seat motor fire risk, incl. improper 24V407 repairs (2020–2024 Telluride) — July 2026: the same 462,869 cars were recalled again — the seat motor may overheat due to a stuck slide knob or an improper recall 24V407 repair. Dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly; owners are told to park outside until it is done.
▸ CORRECTION HISTORY
Rewritten: the first version tested a Wikipedia description and a claim Kia never made. It now tests Kia's own safety and awards claims, adds the June 2024 seat recall and the March 2024 roll-away recall, and states that these recalls cover 2020–2024 models only.
▸ THE EVIDENCE ON YOUTUBE
Is the 2027 Kia Telluride Just As Good or BETTER Than the First-Gen SUV?
The 2020 Kia Telluride Is Kia's New Family SUV
Car Mechanic Reviews The 2024 Kia Telluride. Should You Buy One?
2027 Kia Telluride EX AWD Review | Consumer Reports
The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Is the Ultimate Midsize SUV
▸ FAQ
Which Kia Telluride model years are affected by the seat fire recall?
2020 through 2024 — the first-generation Telluride. NHTSA recalls 24V407000 (June 2024) and 26V430000 (July 2026) each cover 462,869 vehicles. The redesigned 2027 Telluride is not part of them.
Why was the Telluride seat recalled a second time?
According to NHTSA recall 26V430000, the front power seat motor may still overheat because of a stuck seat slide knob or an improper repair under the first recall (24V407). The new remedy is an electronic fuse assembly, installed free by dealers.
What should owners do until the repair is done?
NHTSA's notice advises owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. You can check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the Kia Telluride a safe SUV?
In crash tests, yes: IIHS rated the 2023 and 2024 Telluride Top Safety Pick+. Crash ratings don't measure defects, though, and the 2020–2024 model has had fire-risk and roll-away recalls — make sure any used one has had every recall repair.