Kia Brake Defect Lawsuit Raises Alarm

Kia is confronting a proposed class action lawsuit from two drivers who claim the 2020-2024 Kia Telluride SUVs contain a potentially life-threatening brake defect. The plaintiffs, Sara Raymond and Michelle O’Brien, filed their case on Dec. 18 in a California federal court, asserting that the alleged defect compromises drivers’ ability to stop the vehicle safely.

Key Highlights:

The lawsuit cites state and federal consumer law violations related to brake issues.
The defect is allegedly linked to the Telluride’s master cylinder, causing a “spongy” pedal.
One plaintiff reports experiencing a collision due to sudden brake failure.
Class members seek a permanent fix or recall for the SUVs.
The lawsuit is separate from Kia’s recent EV9 GT-Line and Land brake recall.

According to the lawsuit, the Telluride’s braking system suffers from a defect that causes the brake pedal to lose hydraulic pressure. This issue renders the pedal ineffective, placing both vehicle occupants and other road users at risk of accidents. The complaint states that “Kia has omitted this material information from consumers and has not issued a recall or reliable fix,” leaving owners uncertain about their vehicle’s safety.

The plaintiffs allege Kia knew about the brake defect but failed to initiate any corrective measures. They claim the root cause lies in a problematic master cylinder that reduces brake fluid pressure, ultimately undermining the functionality of the entire braking system. In one instance, Plaintiff Sara Raymond says she experienced a sudden brake failure on Nov. 7 in her 2023 Telluride, resulting in a collision. Since then, her vehicle has remained at a Kia dealership and body shop for several weeks, incurring additional expenses of $2,000 for a rental car and $400 for towing.

“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 complaint further asserts. The plaintiffs seek to represent all individuals who own or lease any 2020-2024 Telluride model, calling for damages, out-of-pocket expense reimbursement, and a permanent solution or recall.

While addressing this lawsuit, Kia has initiated a separate recall for certain 2024 EV9 GT-Line and Land vehicles due to a software glitch that may limit brake pressure. The plaintiffs in the Telluride lawsuit are represented by Robert Ahdoot and Theodore W. Maya of Ahdoot & Wolfson PC.

The Kia class action is Sara Raymond et al. v. Kia America Inc., Case No. 8:24-cv-02737 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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