Recall 22V626 affects 36,417 2020-2022 Kia Telluride SUVs with tow hitch harness short-circuit fire risk. Park outside. Free repair at any franchised Kia dealer.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the problem, so park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Schedule the fuse, harness extension, and tow hitch harness inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 36,417 2020-2022 Telluride SUVs with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness because debris and moisture can short the module circuit board and start a fire while parked or driving. Owners should park outside and away from structures until a Kia dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The tow hitch harness on 2020-2022 Kia Telluride SUVs is the wiring that lets trailer lights connect to the vehicle. In this recall, the affected part is a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness, either installed as original equipment or bought through a Kia dealer as an accessory. Its module uses a printed circuit board, the small electronic board that routes power through the harness.
The problem starts at the 4-pin connector. Water can get into the tow hitch harness module and bring debris and moisture onto the printed circuit board. That contamination can create an electrical short. Once the circuit shorts, heat can build in the module and result in a fire, even if the trailer hitch is not being used.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not expect a light, message, smell, or change in how the Telluride drives before the harness shorts.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Telluride model years, tied to the same 4-pin tow-hitch harness.
| 2022 Kia Telluride | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Telluride | Trailer hitches |
| 2020 Kia Telluride | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 36,417 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before the problem, so park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Schedule the fuse, harness extension, and tow hitch harness inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2022 Kia Telluride is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free fuse, wiring-harness extension, and tow-hitch-harness inspection that addresses the short risk in the trailer hitch harness.
- Park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 22V626 when you call.
- Call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 with questions before your dealer visit.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician installs a new fuse and wiring harness extension, then inspects the tow hitch harness assembly and replaces it if needed. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Until that work is complete, keep the Telluride parked outside and away from structures. Kia's standard reimbursement plan covers repair expenses already paid for this issue. Bring repair invoices, receipts, and any related paperwork to the service desk, or contact Kia customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 15, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 10, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| October 10, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 14, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 14, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 12, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V626?
Recall 22V626 covers 36,417 2020-2022 Kia Telluride SUVs equipped with a Genuine Kia 4-pin tow hitch harness installed as original equipment or bought through a Kia dealer. Debris and moisture on the harness module circuit board can cause an electrical short and fire risk. Kia dealers will repair it for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2022 Kia Telluride is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Telluride is included in recall 22V626. If it is, park outside and away from structures until the dealer repair is complete, then contact a franchised Kia dealer for the fuse, wiring extension, and harness inspection.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Kia's recall remedy states that all repairs will be performed free of charge. A franchised Kia dealer will install a new fuse and wiring harness extension, then inspect and replace the tow hitch harness assembly when replacement is needed.
Is it safe to park or drive my Kia Telluride before the repair?
Kia tells owners to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. The tow hitch harness module can short from debris and moisture, creating fire risk while parked or driving. Ask a Kia dealer for guidance if you need to move the vehicle.
When were Kia Telluride owners notified about recall 22V626?
Kia mailed owner notification letters on April 12, 2023. Used-vehicle owners and owners who missed the letter should still check the VIN, since the year and model are not enough to confirm whether the tow hitch harness recall applies.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V626000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V626 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V626000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →