Hyundai Motor reported four minor injuries from rear power seats in new Palisade SUVs that may trap people. Sales remain halted after a two-year-old girl's death in Ohio earlier this month. The company recalled 68,500 vehicles in the US and Canada.
Hyundai Motor said on Friday, March 21, it has reports of four minor injuries because rear power seats in new Palisade SUVs may trap a person as sales remained halted after a two-year-old girl's death in Ohio on March 7. The South Korean automaker recalled 68,500 new Palisade SUVs in the United States and Canada on March 17 over the power seat issue. Sales of the 2026 model Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims were halted indefinitely, as second- and third-row powered seat assemblies may not respond to contact with an occupant or object as intended during some functions. Hyundai began investigating in November after three reports of problems and initially assessed the issue as low risk to occupants. The March 7 fatality occurred in the third row, with four minor injuries to second-row occupants across 17 unique vehicles with claims. On Friday, Hyundai announced it is rolling out an over-the-air software update to enhance system response to passenger contact, add operating safeguards, and improve overall safety. The company urged owners to ensure no person, including children, or object is in the seat or folding area before operating power seats. It is developing a permanent recall fix and providing rental vehicles to customers until available. The stop-sale order remains until repairs are finalized, after which sales will resume.
