Hyundai Motor Company has announced the suspension of sales for certain new Palisade SUV models in the United States and Canada. The decision comes in the wake of a safety concern regarding power seats, triggered by a tragic incident in Ohio where a two-year-old child lost her life.
The automaker disclosed that sales of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims have been paused due to potential issues with the detection of occupants or objects by the second- and third-row power seats. While specific details about the incident on March 7 were not provided, Hyundai has initiated a recall affecting approximately 68,500 vehicles, with around 8,000 units impacted in Canada.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Hyundai emphasized that the incident is still under investigation, and they are working on a remedy for the issue. In the interim, affected customers have been offered rental vehicles as an alternative mode of transportation.
Hyundai is currently developing an interim over-the-air software update, expected to be rolled out by the end of March. This update aims to improve the system’s responsiveness to detecting occupants or objects, implement additional safety measures, and enhance overall system safety.
As a precautionary measure, Hyundai has advised users to exercise caution when using the second- and third-row power seat functions, ensuring that no individuals or objects are in the seat or folding area beforehand. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet provided a comment regarding the matter.