Recall 26V135 affects 14,870 2026-2027 Kia K4 and Telluride vehicles for seat belt buckle latching defects. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 14,870 2026-2027 K4 and Telluride vehicles because the rear center or third-row center seat belt anchor buckle can fail to latch properly. A buckle that is not latched properly can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, and Kia dealers will inspect and replace the buckle free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear center seat belt anchor buckle in affected 2026 Kia K4 vehicles, and the third-row center anchor buckle in affected 2027 Kia Telluride vehicles, is the latch point that holds the center passenger's belt in place. When it works correctly, the belt tongue clicks into the buckle and stays locked so the belt can restrain the passenger during a sudden stop.
On these Kia vehicles, the anchor buckle was improperly manufactured. That defect can keep the buckle from latching as designed, even when the belt appears lined up with the buckle. The replacement part uses a properly manufactured rear center seat belt anchor buckle, which is the difference Kia identified for recall 26V135.
The warning sign is difficulty buckling the seat belt anchor buckle. If the latch does not click in normally, or the belt tongue will not stay locked, treat that seating position as suspect until a Kia dealer inspects and repairs it.
Who's affected?
Covers the K4 and Telluride in consecutive model years, both tied to the right rear seat belt buckle assembly.
| 2026 Kia K4 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2027 Kia Telluride | seat belt |
| Units affected | 14,870 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat belt anchor buckle that is not fully latched can fail to hold an occupant during a crash, increasing injury risk. If the belt is hard to buckle or does not latch cleanly, use another seating position and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Kia K4 or 2027 Kia Telluride is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free center seat belt anchor buckle inspection and replacement if needed.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V135 and Kia recall SC364 when you call.
- Use another seating position for passengers if the affected center belt buckle does not latch, and keep that seat empty until the dealer completes the repair.
- Call Kia at 1-800-333-4542 with questions before your appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the rear center seat belt anchor buckle assembly on the K4 or the third-row center seat belt anchor buckle assembly on the Telluride. If the buckle assembly does not latch properly, the technician replaces it. The recall inspection and any needed replacement are free, with parts and labor covered. Kia uses its standard reimbursement plan for owners who already paid for a related buckle repair. Bring documentation of the repair and payment to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 6, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 9, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| March 9, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 20, 2026 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V135?
Recall 26V135 covers 14,870 2026 Kia K4 and 2027 Kia Telluride vehicles with a rear seat belt anchor buckle that does not latch properly. In a crash, an unlatched buckle can fail to restrain an occupant, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2026 Kia K4 or 2027 Kia Telluride is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 26V135. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer and ask for the seat belt anchor buckle inspection. The dealer will replace the anchor buckle assembly when needed at no cost.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Kia dealers will inspect the affected rear center or third-row center seat belt anchor buckle and replace the anchor buckle assembly when needed for free.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that the affected seat belt buckle does not latch properly. If that happens, the belt can fail to restrain the passenger in a crash, increasing injury risk. The repair path is a free Kia dealer inspection and buckle replacement when needed.
When did Kia notify owners about recall 26V135?
Kia listed May 5, 2026, as the owner-notification mailing date for recall 26V135. If you own a 2026 Kia K4 or 2027 Kia Telluride and never received a letter, check your VIN and call a Kia dealer with recall number SC364.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V135000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V135 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V135000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →