The 2026 Hyundai Palisade seemingly has it all: good looks, a strong powertrain, and loads of space. But the vehicle that should be a runaway success has an issue that can't be ignored. Hyundai recently told dealers in the U.S. and Canada to stop selling the 2026 Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims because of a problem with the power seats in the second and third rows, where buyers put their kids. The power-folding system sometimes fails to detect when someone or something is in the way as the seats move, and it's so serious that a young child was tragically killed in a scenario that Hyundai began investigating a week ago. Now, the automaker has issued a recall in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Over 61,000 2026 Hyundai Palisade SUVs Recalled
Kristen Brown
The issue is specific to the abovementioned upper-tier trims of the 2026 Palisade, and the recall applies to 61,093 vehicles, whose one-touch tilt-and-slide or automatic power fold-and-stow functions may fail to detect impediments. Hyundai is taking this very seriously. Along with the stop sales notices, Hyundai has sent texts, emails, and in-vehicle notifications. It's also provided a statement to the media. The recall, warning that power rear seats may trap a person, includes the following advisory:
"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 recall report notes that an investigation was opened in November last year, which was escalated after the report of the fatality on March 9. Since the issue first appeared, seven incidents of third-row malfunction have been reported, and four reports of minor injury have been reported due to the second-row malfunction. In total, there have been 17 unique vehicles with claims of failure. Unfortunately, Hyundai is still working on a way to permanently resolve the problem.
Hyundai Palisade Remedy Being Developed, Temporary Fix Available
Kristen Brown
For the time being, Hyundai intends to notify owners of a temporary fix available via a software update, which Hyundai Bluelink enrollees can take advantage of remotely, while other customers can come into a dealer for the update. But it will be some time before Palisade owners can relax, as dealers and owners are only expected to be notified of the permanent remedy on May 16. For almost the next two months, an abundance of caution will be prudent.
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