Hyundai Motor Company has announced the suspension of sales for certain new Palisade SUV models in Canada and the United States, along with a recall of tens of thousands of vehicles due to power seat issues. This decision follows a tragic incident in Ohio where a two-year-old girl lost her life.
The affected models include the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims, with concerns about the second- and third-row power seats failing to detect contact with occupants or objects as intended. The company, without revealing specifics about the fatal incident on March 7, disclosed that approximately 68,500 vehicles are subject to the recall, with around 8,000 in Canada.
Expressing condolences to the family of the deceased child, Hyundai emphasized that the incident remains under investigation, and a solution is in progress. Customers are being offered rental vehicles until a permanent fix is established.
Hyundai advises caution when using the power seat functions, urging individuals to ensure that no person or object is in the seat or folding area before activation. An interim software update is being developed, expected to be accessible by the end of March, aimed at improving the system’s response to contact, implementing additional safety measures, and enhancing overall system security.
While these actions are being taken, there has been no immediate response from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the matter.