Hyundai Resumes Sales of 2026 Palisade After Fixing Power Seat Recall Issue

Hyundai has lifted its stop/sale order on more than 60,000 2026 Palisade SUVs after resolving a critical defect in the power folding second- and third-row seats. The automaker notified dealers last week that sales could resume following the implementation of a fix.

The issue, which affected the top two trim levels—Calligraphy and Limited—caused seats to continue folding even when an obstruction, such as a person or large object, was present. Tragically, a 2-year-old girl was killed in one such incident. Hyundai publicly acknowledged the death in a rare statement, saying:

“Hyundai is aware of a tragic incident involving a Palisade. While Hyundai does not yet have the full details and the incident is still under investigation, a young child lost her life. Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family.”

According to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 26 complaints have been filed regarding the 2026 Palisade, with four specifically addressing seat-related issues. Two of those complaints reported injuries in December 2025. Hyundai issued a recall notice in mid-March and also notified owners of over-the-air (OTA) capable vehicles about the problem.

Hyundai’s Fix and Safety Enhancements

To resolve the issue, Hyundai developed and deployed an OTA software update that addresses the root cause of the malfunction. The company also implemented additional safety measures to prevent recurrence, including:

• Seats can no longer be folded flat unless the liftgate is open simultaneously.
• Certain seat controls have been changed from one-touch operation to press-and-hold functionality.
• Owners can no longer fold or stow seats using the infotainment touchscreen on the dashboard.

These changes ensure that the power seats will not operate if an obstruction is detected, significantly reducing the risk of injury or fatality.

How to Update Your 2026 Palisade

Owners of affected 2026 Palisade models enrolled in Hyundai’s BlueLink program can install the update by following these steps:

1. Access the infotainment center and go to “General” settings.
2. Select “Software Info/Update.”
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the update.

For owners without BlueLink, Hyundai advises scheduling a no-cost service appointment at the nearest dealership. The update will be performed free of charge.