What’s going on with Kia?
Kia is hitting the brakes—and not in a good way.
The automaker has issued not one but two recall notices affecting more than 300,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to trim pieces near the windows and doors that might just fly off while you’re cruising down the road. Yep—loose parts turning into flying road hazards. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s dangerous.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall affects:
- 201,149 Kia Telluride SUVs (2023–2025)
- 100,063 Kia K5 sedans (2023–2025)
That’s a lot of vehicles… and a lot of potential airborne plastic.
What’s the problem, exactly?
You know those sleek trim pieces that line the windows and doors of your car? They’re meant to stay put. Unfortunately, in some 2023–2025 Kia Tellurides and K5s, they’re not staying put at all.
For the Telluride:
- The issue is with the door belt mouldings—those slim strips along the top edge of the door where your window meets the metal frame.
- These mouldings may loosen and eventually detach from the vehicle.
For the K5:
- The problem lies in the C-pillar garnish faceplates—decorative panels next to the rear windows.
- Due to a supplier defect, these may also delaminate (come apart) and fall off.
Now imagine you’re on the highway, doing 70 mph, and a panel flies off the car in front of you like a boomerang of doom. Not fun.
According to Kia’s internal safety office, the trim may “progressively delaminate and become loose from the base of the moulding.” In plain English: it peels off like a sticker… and then goes airborne.
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What are the safety risks?
The NHTSA didn’t mince words: if these parts fall off while the vehicle is moving, they can create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Flying debris on the road is no joke. It can:
- Damage vehicles behind you
- Cause sudden swerving and panic braking
- Lead to accidents or injuries
Even if no one gets hurt, it’s still a scary—and possibly expensive—situation to deal with.
Which vehicles are affected?
Let’s break down the affected models:
Kia Telluride
- Model years: 2023, 2024, 2025
- Recall code: SC347
- Problem: Door belt moulding may detach.
Kia K5
- Model years: 2023, 2024, 2025
- Recall code: SC346
- Problem: C-pillar trim may detach.
If your car is within these model years, you should check ASAP to see if your specific vehicle is part of the recall.
What is Kia doing about it?
Kia is stepping in with a free fix—and that’s good news.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Kia dealers will inspect and replace the affected trim parts with improved versions that won’t take flight.
- If you already had the issue and paid for repairs out of pocket, Kia will reimburse you under their General Reimbursement Plan (filed May 1, 2024).
- Notification letters will be sent out to affected owners beginning September 26, 2025.
You don’t need to wait until the letter shows up—you can check right now (we’ll show you how below).
How to check if your Kia is affected
There are three easy ways to find out if your vehicle is part of the recall:
- Visit the NHTSA recall lookup site:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Enter your VIN, licence plate, or select your make/model/year. - Call Kia customer service at 800-333-4542
- Reference SC346 (for K5) or SC347 (for Telluride)
- Reference SC346 (for K5) or SC347 (for Telluride)
- Contact your local Kia dealership
- They can check your vehicle’s VIN in their system and schedule a service appointment if needed.
- They can check your vehicle’s VIN in their system and schedule a service appointment if needed.
Don’t ignore these signs
While you may not immediately notice loose trim, here are a few warning signs your vehicle might be affected:
- Rattling noises near your windows or doors
- Visible gaps or looseness in trim pieces
- Unusual wind noise while driving
- Anything that looks like it’s starting to peel away from your car’s exterior
If you spot any of these issues—don’t wait. Get it checked before it becomes a projectile on the highway.
FAQs: What you need to know
Q: Is the recall free?
A: Yes. Kia will repair or replace the affected parts at no cost to you.
Q: I already had this issue and paid for it—can I get reimbursed?
A: Absolutely. Keep your receipts and reach out to Kia under their General Reimbursement Plan filed in May 2024.
Q: When will I be officially notified?
A: Notification letters for both models will be mailed starting September 26, 2025.
Q: Is it safe to keep driving my car?
A: While your car might seem fine, it’s safer to have it checked. A loose trim piece could fall off unexpectedly and become a road hazard.
Q: Where can I schedule a fix?
A: Visit your nearest Kia dealership, or call Kia customer service at 800-333-4542.
Q: What is the C-pillar garnish anyway?
A: It’s the trim panel near the rear windows—mainly decorative, but when it detaches, it’s a potential hazard.
Better safe than sorry
Car recalls might not always sound thrilling, but this particular one is different. It involves pieces of your car flying off mid-drive. That’s reason enough to take it seriously.
Whether you’re rolling in a Telluride SUV or cruising in a K5 sedan, make sure your car isn’t part of this recall—or get it fixed if it is. It’s free, it’s quick, and it could prevent someone from getting hurt.
After all, your trim should stay with your car—not end up as a roadside souvenir.
Stay safe, stay stylish, and keep those car parts in check!
