Power Rear Seats May Trap a Person

Affected vehicles (2)

Component / system

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Palisade and 2026 Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with a Limited or Calligraphy trim package. The second and third row power seats may fail to detect a person. The seat may continue to move after contacting a person during powered seat functions, such as one-touch tilt-and-slide or automatic power fold-and-stow.

Risk / consequence

A person, especially a child, may become trapped by a rear powered seat, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised to exercise caution when operating the second and third row power seat functions until the repair is performed. Children are advised to not be in the rear seats or near the rear seating area during power-folding operation. The seat controller and the audio, visual, navigation software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 14, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 296. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

Chronology of events

1. December 2025

   November - December 2025

2. Nov 4, 2025

   November 4, 2025 – NASO created a new investigation into 3rd row powered-seat functions based on three (3) reports received from August through October 2025. NASO began monitoring U.S. and Canadian market field information and discussions with HMC into potential root cause(s).

3. Dec 18, 2025

   December 18, 2025 – HMC explained an ongoing overseas investigation to NASO regarding 2 incidents related to 3rd row power seats in Korea. According to HMC R&D, earlier 2nd row reports were analyzed and assessed for low risk to occupant safety based on anti-pinch logic and estimated AIS parameters determined through testing. NASO researched the 2nd row claims in the US and Canadian markets and increased the investigation scope to include 2nd and 3rd row power seat performance. Based on the information available at that time, more investigation into the mechanism, design parameters, operational logic and industry benchmarking was required.

4. February 2026

   January - February 2026

5. January 2026

   January 2026 – NASO began discussion with HMC and the Safety Test & Investigation Laboratory (“STIL”) in Michigan regarding system design parameters, operating logic and potential benchmarking and testing of competitor vehicles equipped with similar automated seat features.

6. January 2026

   January 2026 – STIL began its benchmark study.

7. February 2026

   February 2026 – STIL provided updates to NASO. NASO and STIL discussed status and established an estimated completion target of late March 2026.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

May 16, 2026 - May 16, 2026 No Dealers

Owner notification

May 16, 2026 - May 16, 2026 Phased Recall