A tragic accident has prompted one auto maker to stop sales on some SUVs after a child died.
Hyundai issued a notice to dealers on March 13, 2026 that they should stop selling new Palisade SUVs in some trims. There’s a problem with the second and third row power seat features which can trap or injure people. Though there is no recall yet, the automaker is preparing one. If you have a new Palisade, here’s what you need to know.
What’s Wrong With the Palisades?
Hyundai is planning to recall the Palisade because the second and third row power seats “may not adequately detect contact with an occupant or object as intended,” according to the stop sales notice. “This condition may occur during second and third-row power‑folding operations, as well as during use of the second-row one‑touch tilt‑and‑slide function.”
The problem may have tragically resulted in the death of a 2-year-old girl in Ohio on March 7, according to USA Today. “While Hyundai does not yet have the full details and the incident is still under investigation, a young child lost her life,” said the automaker in the notice. “Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family.”
On a Reddit forum for Hyundai Palisades owners, a number of people report experiencing issues with the power seats. “Wednesday I was installing a dog barrier on the back of the second row captains seats in my Cali, and accidentally triggered the fold mechanism as I was facing toward the back,” said one Redditor. “I was amazed at how much force it applied, and was surprised it continued the push until I found the button to reverse directions.”
“I just got my 2026 Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid 2 weeks ago,” reported another Redditor. “Days before the recall went out I accidentally closed the second row captains chair on my son’s booster seat. I didn’t realize it was folded under there for hours and it left huge indents on the seat.”
Which Palisades Are Affected?
There are two trims of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade that the automaker has told dealers to stop selling and are going to be part of a recall.
- Hyundai Palisade Limited
- Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
There are a total of approximately 68,500 affected Palisades, with the majority being sold in the U.S. and some in Canada.
Hyundai is currently working on a recall repair, but in the meantime, there is an interim software update that is expected to be available by the end of March. That update will not be a fix, but it is “intended to enhance the system’s response to contact with occupants or objects, introduce additional operating safeguards, and enhance overall system safety.”
If you have one of the affected 2026 Palisades, you should be notified by Hyundai. You may also request a rental vehicle to use while the recall is being prepared and the problem with the power seats in your Palisade is fixed.
If you continue using the vehicle, Hyundai urges you to use caution when operating the second and third row power seat features, and to specifically “avoid pressing the seatback button during entry or exit” when using the second-row one‑touch tilt‑and‑slide feature to access the third row.
