Hyundai Recalls Over 61,000 Palisade SUVs Due to Power Seat Defect

Hyundai Motor Company is recalling 61,093 2026 Palisade SUVs in the United States due to a defect in the power seats, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Reuters and Fox Business reported the recall began after a fatal incident involving a two-year-old child in Ohio.

The Defect and Affected Vehicles

The recall affects 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with the Limited and Calligraphy trim packages. The issue lies with the second and third-row power seat assemblies, which may not respond correctly to contact with an occupant or object during activation of certain powered seat functions, including the automatic power-folding (stow) function and the ‘one-touch’ tilt-and-slide (walk-in) feature. Fox Business details that this can lead to entrapment.

Timeline of Events

A two-year-old girl died in Ohio on March 7, 2026, after being trapped in the rear seat electrical system of a Hyundai Palisade. Fox Business reported that this incident prompted the recall and a temporary suspension of sales for the affected models. Prior to the fatal incident, Hyundai had received 20 field claims relating to the issue, with four reports of minor injuries, since August of the previous year. AutoGuide also noted that similar incidents had been reported in Korea.

Hyundai’s Response and Corrective Actions

Hyundai paused sales of the Limited and Calligraphy trim packages following the incident. The automaker is developing a software update to improve the obstacle detection performance of the power seat control system. AutoGuide reports that owners will be formally notified and offered rental vehicles at no cost until the software update is available, starting May 17, 2026.

NHTSA Recommendations and Safety Precautions

Until the software update is implemented, Hyundai recommends that owners take precautions. Specifically, avoid allowing children to be near the second and third-row seats while using the electric functions, and avoid pressing the “one-touch” button while accessing or exiting the third row to prevent accidental activation. Fox Business highlights these recommendations from Hyundai and the NHTSA.

Recall Scope and Additional Information

The recall covers approximately 61,093 units in the U.S. And around 8,000 additional vehicles in Canada and other North American territories. Fox Business indicates that this is one of the largest recalls for Hyundai in 2026 within the SUV segment. Owners can contact their official dealers for instructions and to confirm the availability of the review service. The NHTSA also maintains a telephone channel and a section on its website for questions about safety and case monitoring. NHTSA’s Vehicle Detail Search provides further information on the recall.