A Small Slip Among Strong Sellers
The Kia Telluride and Sorento are two of the brand’s biggest hits in the US market. Year-to-date, the Telluride has moved 101,069 units while the Sorento has recorded 80,710 units, making them key drivers of Kia’s success in the SUV segment, right next to the hot-selling Sportage. But among those tens of thousands, a few unlucky units have a small but official flaw.
According to a new filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Kia discovered that certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento models were fitted with the wrong spare tire at its Georgia plant. The issue traces back to a single production day in late August 2025, when an assembly line worker mistakenly installed spare tires that didn’t match the size listed on the vehicle’s placard – a requirement under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110.
The Risk and the Remedy
Kia said the situation was a compliance issue, though it explained that an incorrectly sized spare can potentially interfere with the anti-lock braking and traction control systems if used, increasing the risk of an accident. The company’s recall notice confirms that the defect was the result of human error, not a design flaw.
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified via mail, instructing them to visit a Kia dealer for a replacement spare wheel and tire assembly at no charge. Dealers have already been informed about the issue, but the simple remedy process will begin in early December. Kia will also reimburse owners who may have already paid for repairs under its General Reimbursement Plan. Production at the Georgia facility was corrected immediately after the issue was found, with all subsequent Telluride and Sorento units now built to specification.
Kia
A Familiar Mistake for Kia
This isn’t the first time Kia has had to issue such a recall. Back in 2022, the automaker reported a nearly identical problem – also discovered during post-assembly inspection – affecting just eight vehicles split between the Sorento and Telluride. The cause then was the same: an assembly line worker had fitted the wrong spare tire.
Thankfully, the affected numbers remain low, both then and now. Only 45 units are affected in the latest recall – a small-scale recall, but something Kia must watch out for, given the defect was just a simple human error.
