Hyundai Motor Company announced on Friday that it is suspending the sale of certain new Palisade SUVs in Canada and the United States and initiating a recall of tens of thousands of these vehicles due to a power seat issue. This action follows a tragic incident in Ohio where a two-year-old girl lost her life.
The automaker has decided to halt sales of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims because of concerns that the second- and third-row power seats may not properly detect contact with occupants or objects as intended. Although specifics regarding the March 7 fatality were not disclosed, the company stated that approximately 68,500 vehicles are affected by the recall, with about 8,000 units in Canada.
Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased child, Hyundai mentioned that the incident is still under investigation, and they are in the process of developing a solution for the recall. In the meantime, affected customers are being offered rental vehicles as an alternative means of transportation until a permanent fix is available.
Hyundai advises caution when using the second- and third-row power seat functions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that no individuals or objects are present in the seat or seat-folding area before operating the power seat. The company is working on an interim over-the-air software update, expected to be released by the end of March, which will improve the system’s response to contact with occupants or objects, introduce additional safety measures, and enhance overall system safety.
As of now, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not provided any immediate response to inquiries regarding the matter.
