Kia Telluride Window Trim Recall: What Most People Get Wrong

You’re cruising down the highway, music up, sun shining, and suddenly you hear a weird thwack or a whistling sound that definitely wasn't there five minutes ago. You pull over, walk around your shiny SUV, and realize a six-inch piece of shiny black plastic is just... gone. Or worse, it’s flapping in the wind like a loose tooth. Honestly, if you own a 2023 or 2024 Kia Telluride, this isn't just bad luck. It’s a known defect that finally turned into a massive safety headache.

For a long time, owners were told the peeling or flying trim was just an "environmental issue." Basically, "it’s too hot outside, sorry." But after thousands of complaints and more than a few close calls on the freeway, Kia finally buckled.

The Kia Telluride Window Trim Recall Explained (Simply)

In mid-2025, Kia America officially issued a recall for over 201,000 Telluride SUVs from the 2023-2025 model years. The problem is technically called "door belt molding detachment." In plain English? The adhesive holding the decorative trim to your door is garbage.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) filed this under Campaign Number 25V494000. It’s not just a Telluride problem, either. The Kia K5 sedan got hit with a similar recall right around the same time. The issue boils down to a supplier in Korea named Saedong. They apparently didn't use enough adhesive between the faceplate of the trim and the base molding.

When you’re driving at 70 mph, that trim piece can delaminate. It peels off and becomes a projectile. If you're lucky, it just hits the asphalt. If you're unlucky, it hits the windshield of the car behind you. That's why the NHTSA stepped in—it’s a road hazard, plain and simple.

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Why did it take so long?

Kia actually knew about this for a while. Internal documents show they were tracking cases as early as 2023. At first, they didn't think it was a big deal. Their logic was sort of funny, in a dark way: they tested the parts and decided that since the trim pieces are flat, they usually just fall to the ground without bouncing much.

The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation didn't find that very comforting. After more than 12,000 documented cases of trim falling off, the "it doesn't bounce much" excuse didn't hold water anymore.

Is Your Telluride Actually on the List?

Not every single Telluride on the road is part of this specific recall, though it feels like every owner has a story about the trim fading or peeling. The official recall focuses on:

• Model Years: 2023, 2024, and early 2025.
• Production Dates: Specifically vehicles built between October 3, 2022, and September 18, 2024.
• The Specific Part: We’re talking about the "door belt molding." This is the horizontal strip at the base of your windows.

If you have a 2020, 2021, or 2022 Telluride with the "Nightfall" package, you’ve probably seen your trim turn a weird splotchy bronze or milky grey. While that's super annoying and looks terrible on a $50k car, it’s technically not part of this safety recall. Those older models usually have to deal with warranty claims for "faded trim," which is a whole different battle with the dealership.

The "Quick Fix" Trap

If you go on Reddit or the Telluride forums, you’ll see a lot of "helpful" advice. People suggest using Gorilla Glue, 3M badge tape, or even clear silicone to stick the trim back on.

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Don't do it.

Seriously. If you’re under the recall, the dealer is required to replace the parts for free with a redesigned version. The new parts (implemented in factory production after September 2024) don't just rely on glue. They actually use "mechanical retention"—which is just a fancy way of saying they added clips. If you glob a bunch of superglue in there, you might actually make it harder for the tech to install the correct, safer part later. Plus, if you mess up the paint with DIY glue, Kia definitely won't pay to fix that.

What Really Happens at the Dealership?

The fix is pretty straightforward, but the logistics can be a pain.

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1. The Inspection: First, they’ll look at all four doors. Even if only one is loose, the recall instructions (Service Action SC347) usually involve checking the bonding on all of them.
2. The Wait: For much of 2025, parts were on a massive backorder. Some owners reported waiting three or four months just for the plastic strips to arrive from Korea.
3. The Replacement: The actual labor only takes about 30 to 45 minutes. They pop the old ones off, clean the surface, and snap the new ones on.

If you already paid out of pocket to fix this before the recall was official, you are actually eligible for reimbursement. Keep your receipts. Kia has a specific process for "pre-recall" repairs where they’ll cut you a check if you can prove you paid a shop to fix this exact defect.

Actionable Next Steps for Owners

Stop wondering if your car is going to shed parts on the highway. Do these three things today:

• Check your VIN: Don't wait for a letter in the mail that might get lost. Go to the NHTSA Recall Website and type in your 17-digit VIN. If you see Campaign 25V494000 or Kia code SC347, you're in.
• Document the Damage: If your trim is currently loose, take a video of it wiggling. If it already flew off, take photos of the empty spot. This helps if the dealer tries to claim it was "external damage" like a car wash (which they often do).
• Call Your Dealer, Not Just Any Dealer: Some service centers are better at handling recalls than others. Ask specifically if they have the "redesigned belt moldings with mechanical clips" in stock before you drive down there.

The reality is that the Telluride is a fantastic SUV, but this trim issue was a major unforced error by Kia’s suppliers. By getting the official recall fix, you're not just making the car look better—you're making sure you don't accidentally launch a piece of plastic into someone’s radiator at 70 miles per hour.

Summary of Key Details

Check your door moldings today. If you can slide a credit card easily behind the edge of the trim, it’s already starting to fail. Get it to the dealer before the wind does the work for you.