NHTSA complaint #11721180

Owner complaint summary

I am reporting a safety concern with the seatbelt system in my 2023 Kia Telluride related to fit and adjustability, not a mechanical failure. The vehicle is available for inspection. As a [XXX] driver, the shoulder belt consistently rubs my neck rather than resting across the center of my shoulder, even when the height adjuster is set to its lowest position. Because I must raise the seat and sit closer to the steering wheel, the belt angle pulls inward toward my neck every time I drive. As a [XXX] occupant ([XXX]), rear seatbelts must be fully extended into locking mode to buckle, resulting in discomfort and concerns about proper belt tension. There have been no warning lights, prior symptoms, dealer confirmations, or inspections by the manufacturer; this condition has been present since initial use and appears to be a design limitation. Improper belt positioning and limited adjustability may increase the risk of neck or upper-body injury in a crash and may discourage proper seatbelt positioning. I request that NHTSA track and evaluate this as a vehicle safety concern in the 2023 Kia Telluride and assess whether current seatbelt adjuster range, belt length, and geometry adequately accommodate shorter and plus-size occupants. I have experienced similar seatbelt fit and adjustability issues in multiple other passenger vehicles, suggesting this may represent a broader cross-vehicle design concern rather than an isolated model-specific condition. Videos showing seatbelt discomfort can be found here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)