Recall Date: 03/17/2026
NHTSA ID: 26V160
Mfr. Campaign Number: 296
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Components: SEATS / POWER SEAT CONTROL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: ~61,093
Hyundai Vehicles Affected and What This Recall Means
Hyundai Motor America has announced a safety recall for certain 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with powered second and third row seating systems.
The issue involves the operation of the power seat assemblies in the second and third rows. During certain functions, including automatic folding and tilt-and-slide features, the system may fail to properly detect contact with an occupant or object.
If the system does not recognize an obstruction during seat movement, the seat may continue operating without stopping. This could increase the risk of injury to passengers, particularly in situations involving children or restricted movement within the seating area.
Hyundai is currently investigating the root cause, with early findings pointing to limitations in how the seat control system responds to resistance or contact during powered operation.
What Drivers Need to Know
Hyundai is developing a remedy that will improve the responsiveness of the seat control system. The fix is expected to be delivered through a software update, either performed at a dealership or delivered over the air for eligible vehicles.
Until the update is available, Hyundai advises drivers to use caution when operating the second and third row power seat functions. Owners should ensure that no passengers or objects are in the seat path during operation and avoid unintentionally activating the tilt-and-slide feature when accessing the third row.
All repairs will be provided at no cost to vehicle owners. Dealer and owner notifications are expected to begin on May 16, 2026. VIN lookup availability began March 19, 2026.
Recall Background and Investigation
Hyundai first began investigating the condition in late 2025 after receiving multiple reports related to powered seat behavior in the U.S. and international markets.
Initial analysis focused on third row seat operation, with additional review expanding to include second row functionality. Internal testing and benchmarking efforts were conducted to better understand system behavior and safety performance.
In March 2026, Hyundai received a report of a fatal incident potentially linked to the third row seat operation. This prompted an accelerated safety review and led to the decision to initiate a recall before the investigation into the root cause was fully completed.
As of the recall decision, Hyundai reported one fatality, several minor injuries, and a limited number of field claims associated with the condition. No crashes or fires have been linked to the issue.
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