Hyundai Motor Company has announced the suspension of sales for certain new Palisade SUV models in Canada and the United States due to a power seat issue. This decision comes after a tragic incident in Ohio where a two-year-old girl lost her life. The affected models are the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims, with second- and third-row power seats that may fail to detect contact with occupants or objects as intended. The company has not provided specific details about the incident that occurred on March 7.
Approximately 68,500 vehicles are included in the recall, with around 8,000 of them in Canada. Hyundai has extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased child and mentioned that the incident is still under investigation. The company is actively working on a solution for the recall and is offering rental vehicles to affected customers until a permanent fix is available.
Hyundai is advising caution when using the second- and third-row power seat functions, emphasizing the importance of ensuring no individuals or objects are present in the seat or seat-folding area before activation. To address the issue, Hyundai is developing an interim over-the-air software update, expected to be released by the end of March. This update aims to improve the system’s response to contact with occupants or objects, introduce additional safety measures, and enhance overall system security.
Despite these actions, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet provided a comment on the matter.
