Kia Telluride Door Trim Recall Affects Over 200,000 Models

A recently discovered defect in several Kia Telluride models has resulted in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issuing a recall.

A total of 201,149 vehicles are potentially involved in the recall, meaning they could contain the problem; Kia estimates that 6% of those vehicles, or about 12,069 cars, possess the defect.

The defect is a door trim that progressively separates from the vehicle, which can eventually lead to the part falling off.

Thankfully, the NHTSA has already identified an owner notification date, so owners of impacted vehicles have a path forward to getting back on the road. Continue reading to find out more about this ongoing recall!

What’s Wrong with the Kia Telluride Door Trim?

In 2023, 2024, and 2025 Kia Telluride vehicles, the door belt molding face plate slowly detaches from the rest of the vehicle over time and can eventually fall off.

Door belt molding is the rubber strip that serves as a seal for the vehicle’s windows and doors so that dust and other debris does not enter the vehicle cabin from outside.

These belts are usually made of black rubber and are about an inch tall. When they detach, they can be distracting because they flap around in the wind, or worse, they can fully detach from the vehicle and become an obstacle on the road for all drivers.

Because of this danger, the NHTSA issued a recall and Kia is now fixing the impacted vehicles.

How Will Kia Rectify This Issue?

According to NHTSA documentation, owners will be notified by mail that the recall is taking place on September 26, 2025.

From there, owners will be able to take their Telluride to a Kia dealership, where Kia technicians and mechanics will replace the door trim with new trim.

This new trim will also be mechanically attached to the rest of the vehicle, making it sturdier and less likely to detach.

On top of the mechanical attachment, Kia will apply a glue to stick the door trim down and prevent it from moving.

For owners who have already experienced this problem and gotten repairs in the meantime, Kia will reimburse the repair expenses. Otherwise, this repair comes at no cost to the consumer.

What Should I Do If My Kia Telluride Is Affected?

At this moment, the best thing owners of impacted vehicles can do is wait for the recall notification letter and be aware that there could be potential problems with the door trim.

Owners who have already noticed a problem with their door trim can get it repaired, since Kia will reimburse the repair, but the approved recall remedy includes a special mechanical attachment that owners will want to get done as well.

Therefore, waiting for the letter and repairing the issue then, while being careful in the meantime, might be the best course of action.

Otherwise, if your vehicle persistently shows signs of being defective and repairs do not solve the problem, you might be dealing with a lemon.

Most states have lemon laws that protect consumers from being stuck with faulty vehicles that are under manufacturer warranty but do not respond to repair attempts.

Generally, a vehicle must undergo repeat warranty repairs for the same problem, or be out of use for over 30 or more days, to be considered a lemon.

Once the legal requirements for repair attempts or days out of service are met, the vehicle may be considered a lemon.

Often times presenting a lemon law claim begins with written notice to the auto manufacturer requesting a lemon law repurchase.

Written notice should explain the problem, outline the repair history, and state whether the owner is seeking a refund or a replacement vehicle.

Manufacturers often investigate the claim, sometimes requesting additional information or scheduling one last attempt to fix the defect.

Certain cases may proceed to arbitration, where an independent arbitrator reviews the evidence and decides whether the car qualifies as a “lemon” under the law while other cases may proceed to court.

If the vehicle is deemed a lemon, the manufacturer must generally either repurchase the vehicle or provide a comparable replacement.

They may also be responsible for out-of-pocket costs like towing charges or rental cars. If the manufacturer refuses to resolve the matter voluntarily, the owner can take the case to court under the lemon law in their state.

In many states, a successful lawsuit allows the consumer to recover legal fees and costs from the manufacturer, making it possible to pursue a claim without paying any legal fees.

Because lemon law claims are governed by strict timelines and require precise evidence, having an experienced attorney can be invaluable.

Manufacturers tend to defend these cases vigorously, so understanding the law, acting promptly, and keeping thorough records can significantly improve the chances of a favorable outcome.

Continuous Door Trim Issues? Call the Lemon Law Experts! 

If you’re dealing with a vehicle that just won’t stay fixed, you don’t have to face the manufacturer alone. The Lemon Law Experts have the knowledge and experience to stand up for your rights and fight for the resolution you deserve.

Contact us today by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out an online form for a free, no-obligation consultation and find out if your car qualifies for a refund or replacement under your state’s lemon law.

You have rights, and you deserve to have them protected.