Sales to Resume After Hyundai Fixes 2026 Palisade Seat Defect Linked to Child’s Death

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Hyundai Motor recently recalled the 2026 Palisade due to a power seat issue that resulted in the death of a two-year-old girl. The issue also affects the Palisade's Kia counterpart, the Telluride. Sales were halted in mid-March when Hyundai recalled 68,500 units in North America following the fatal accident.

Reuters reported that the South Korean automaker has finalized a software update for the 2026 model year of the Palisade and Palisade Hybrid vehicles, which feature second- and third-row power seats in the Limited and Caligraphy trim levels of the nameplate.

Software Update

The issue stemmed from the fact that the Palisade's rear seats were unable to detect anything or anyone sitting in the second or third row. The limited and Caligraphy trims both have powered controls and auto-tumbling functions baked in, which unfortunately ended in a fatal injury for the young girl.

Changes to the Palisade's software require the tailgate to be open to use the seat-tumbling function. The controls in the infotainment system are also disabled in the incoming software update. For the physical buttons, located at the rear, it will require a press-and-hold action, and the system has upgraded detection to prevent the seats from folding if something or someone happens to be sitting in the seat.

All Palisades are Affected

The recall posted by Hyundai stated that the second- and third-row power seats had spotty detection, and that issue extended not only to the Palisade in the United States but also to South Korea and even to the Kia Telluride – the Palisade's platform twin.

Even in South Korea, where the Palisade stands as a best-selling model, Hyundai also had to recall 58,000 units following two similar incidents involving two occupants who got injured late last year. The issue was reportedly tied to the automatic seats.

Sales to Resume

According to the report, dealers may resume selling the Hyundai Palisade once the new software update is installed. Current Palisade owners should also receive the software update or have it installed by dealers.

As for the resumption of sales in South Korea, no official statement has been made. Even so, the Palisade is in short supply in its home country because of production delays.

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