Recall Date: 3/19/2026
NHTSA ID: 26V169
MFr. Campaign Number: 297
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Affected Components: 3rd-Row LH Seat Belt Buckle and Anchor Assembly
Potential Number of Units Affected: 46,787
The recall covers model year 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with the "Limited" or "Calligraphy" trim package. Both models were assembled in South Korea for the U.S. market. All 46,787 vehicles in the population are estimated to carry the defect.
The 2026 Palisade (gas) accounts for 34,677 units, produced between May 8 and November 22, 2025. The 2026 Palisade Hybrid accounts for 12,110 units, produced between August 11 and November 17, 2025. Hyundai corrected the production condition on November 7, 2025, so vehicles built after that date are not affected. The component at the center of this recall is the 3rd-row left-hand (driver-side) seat belt buckle and anchor assembly, manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems Korea Co., Ltd.
The defect involves the internal wiring within the 3rd-row driver-side seat belt buckle. The wiring harness inside the buckle is shorter than the seat belt webbing. When the buckle is pulled with a sudden load, the tension on that short harness can unseat or damage the internal wiring. Once the wiring is compromised, the buckle loses the ability to accurately detect whether the seat belt is latched.
The practical risk is straightforward: if the system cannot confirm the seat belt is fastened, a third-row occupant could be undetected as unbelted. An unfastened seat belt in a crash significantly increases the risk of injury. The instrument panel cluster may display a false seat belt warning for the 3rd-row driver-side position, which can work in either direction, showing the belt as latched when it is not, or flagging it incorrectly.
Hyundai has recorded five field reports of this condition in the U.S. as of March 12, 2026. There are no related crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities. The remedy is a wiring harness extension that adds 110mm of length to relieve tension during handling, plus buckle assembly replacement if needed. The repair is free of charge regardless of warranty status. Owners who have already paid out of pocket for this condition are eligible for reimbursement. Dealer and owner notifications are both scheduled for May 18, 2026, via certified mail.
Hyundai's North America Safety Office first learned of this defect through reports from the Korean domestic market on January 7, 2026. NASO opened a U.S. investigation the same day and began replication testing within a week. Over the following two months, NASO and HMC held weekly discussions to evaluate the root cause, scope, and susceptibility of U.S. market vehicles. A fleet survey in March 2026 confirmed that normal third-row seat belt usage in the U.S. market could produce the tension conditions that damage the wiring. The formal recall decision came on March 12, 2026.
For a full picture of Hyundai's recall activity and cross-OEM trends this past quarter, see BizzyCar's most recent quarterly recall report.
Read the latest BizzyCar Quarterly Recall Report
With dealer and owner notifications both landing on May 18, Hyundai dealers have a clear window to get ahead of this recall. The population is trim-specific, which makes it more targetable. Any 2026 Palisade Limited or Calligraphy in a dealer's customer database is in this recall, and those are the higher-end buyers most likely to respond to direct outreach.
BizzyCar's Recall Outreach product identifies open recall vehicles in a dealer's customer base and initiates automated two-way SMS outreach. No manual cross-referencing of trim levels or production dates required. Owners get notified directly with their recall status and can schedule service on the spot. Book a Demo