- A class-action lawsuit alleges 2020-2024 Kia Tellurides have a dangerous brake defect.
- A plaintiff claims her 2023 Telluride’s brakes failed, leading to a collision with another car.
- The defect is reportedly caused by a faulty brake master cylinder losing hydraulic pressure.
Kia has been sued by two individuals in the US who claim that the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride models suffer from a critical brake defect that could lead to total system failure. The class action was filed on December 18 in California, and the plaintiffs are seeking to represent anyone else who owns or leases a Telluride impacted by the alleged fault.
The complaint centers around claims that a defect in the brake system may cause the brake pedal to lose hydraulic pressure, resulting in a “spongy” pedal feel—or worse, brakes that don’t work at all. One of the plaintiffs, Sara Raymond, says her 2023 Telluride experienced complete brake failure while she was driving on November 7. She alleges the malfunction left her unable to stop the SUV, culminating in a collision with another vehicle.
Read: Kia Telluride Owners Told To Park Outside In Case Faulty Seat Electrics Incinerate Their SUVs
According to the lawsuit , the root cause appears to be a fault with the brake master cylinder. The plaintiffs claim Kia has been aware of the defect but “has not issued a recall or reliable fix.” The complaint outlines how the problem poses a serious safety risk, leaving Telluride owners with a sense of unease about driving vehicles that could lose braking power at any moment.
Raymond further states that her SUV has been out of commission for over six weeks as she waits for repairs. During this time, she alleges that Kia has refused to provide her with a loaner vehicle, leaving her to spend around $2,000 on rental cars and $400 on towing fees.
“Because of the Defect, and Kia’s inability or refusal to permanently remedy the issue, Plaintiff continues to be exposed to a – and is very concerned about an ongoing – serious safety risk associated with brake failure in the Class Vehicle,” the lawsuit reads. It adds that class members have been “left in the lurch, driving vehicles with brakes that could unexpectedly fail at any moment.”
The plaintiffs are asking Kia to implement a permanent fix for the alleged defect. They are also pursuing compensation for damages, including reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses like rental and towing costs. In addition, the lawsuit includes claims for violations of warranty laws, fraud, and unjust enrichment.
