Telluride driver blames accident on defective brakes, sues Kia

Class-action lawsuit claims Kia knew about the defect but failed to fix it

Kia is being sued in the United States by two individuals who claim that 2020-2024 Kia ​​Telluride models have a serious braking defect that could cause the entire system to malfunction. The class action lawsuit was filed in California on December 18, and the plaintiffs are seeking to represent anyone else who owns or leases a Telluride affected by the alleged malfunction.

At the heart of the complaint is a defect in the braking system that could cause the brake pedal to lose hydraulic pressure, causing the pedal to feel “squishy” or, worse, the brakes not working at all. One of the plaintiffs, Sara Raymond, said that on November 7, the brakes of the 2023 Telluride she was driving completely failed while driving. She claimed the malfunction prevented her from stopping the car, ultimately leading to a collision with another vehicle.

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The root cause appears to be a malfunctioning brake master cylinder, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiff claims Kia is aware of the defect but “has yet to issue a recall or a reliable fix.” The complaint outlines how the issue poses a serious safety risk, making Telluride owners nervous about driving a vehicle that could lose braking power at any time.

Raymond further stated that her SUV had been out of service for more than six weeks, awaiting repairs. During this time, she claims Kia refused to provide her with a rental vehicle, costing her approximately $2,000 in rental fees and $400 in towing fees.

“As a result of this defect, and Kia’s inability or refusal to permanently address the issue, Plaintiffs continue to be exposed to, and are seriously concerned about, ongoing serious safety risks associated with brake failure in this class of vehicles,” the lawsuit states. It also Adding that the class members were “trapped, driving vehicles with brakes that could unexpectedly malfunction at any time.”

The plaintiffs are asking Kia to make permanent repairs to the alleged defects. They are also seeking damages, including reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses such as rent and towing fees. In addition, the lawsuit includes claims for breach of warranty law, fraud and unjust enrichment.