Hyundai Recalls 1.32 Lakh Palisade SUVs Globally After Power Seat Kills Two-Year-Old Child

Hyundai Motor Company has issued a major recall and stop-sale order for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade following a fatal incident involving a two-year-old child. The company said it is taking voluntary action affecting over 68,500 vehicles across North America, including Canada, and approximately 132,000 units globally.

The recall comes after reports that a malfunction in the SUV’s seating system led to the child being pinned by a power-operated third-row seat. While specific details of the incident have not been fully disclosed, the case has raised serious concerns about passenger safety features in the vehicle.

According to filings submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue stems from inadequate anti-pinch protection in the seat assembly. This safety feature is designed to detect resistance and automatically stop movement to prevent injuries, but in this case, the system reportedly failed to respond as intended during powered seat adjustments.

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Hyundai has temporarily halted sales of the Palisade’s higher trims, including the Limited and Calligraphy variants, as it works to address the issue. The problem is particularly linked to the second and third-row power seats, especially when using functions such as one-touch tilt-and-slide or power-folding mechanisms.

Financially, the recall is expected to cost the company around 100 billion won (approximately $66.8 million). However, analysts suggest the impact on Hyundai’s overall performance will be limited, as the cost represents only about 0.8 per cent of its projected 2026 operating profit of 12.9 trillion won.

The incident has renewed scrutiny on advanced vehicle automation systems and their safety reliability. Hyundai has expressed condolences to the victim’s family and stated it is taking corrective measures to ensure such failures do not occur in the future, as regulatory authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

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