Hyundai Palisade Recall: What You Need to Know About the Safety Improvements in 2026

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By Sujin Yu, The Public — A recent entrapment in the United States involving a Hyundai Palisade that killed a two-year-old girl prompted Hyundai’s North American unit to temporarily halt sales and initiate a voluntary recall. South Korea is also launching a voluntary recall over a defect linked to the Palisade’s power seats.

On March 24, South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said it had identified manufacturing defects in 24 models — a total of 408,492 vehicles — produced or imported and sold by Hyundai Motor, Kia, KG Mobility and BMW Korea, and that the manufacturers will carry out voluntary recalls.

The action is tied to the recent U.S. power-seat incident. Hyundai determined that inadequate software design in the second- and third-row power-seat controllers for two models, including the Palisade, could prevent the system from detecting contact with occupants or objects. Hyundai began an over-the-air (OTA) software fix on March 20 for 57,987 affected vehicles.

OTA updates deliver software improvements wirelessly, without requiring owners to visit a service center.

The recall will make it easier to deactivate the power seats and expand the seat’s contact-detection zone during operation, strengthening occupant safety. Key changes include the following.

Previously, drivers had to operate the switch after restarting the engine; after the update, a single switch operation will be enough to deactivate the power seats. The automatic seat-fold function will change from always-on to activating only when the tailgate is open. The system’s detection zone that responds to contact with passengers or objects during folding and unfolding will also be widened.

Hyundai is also reviewing further changes to power-seat operation to enhance safety. The company plans an additional recall in April once fixes are finalized, and MOLIT said it will continue to monitor the recall process and any corrective measures.

Authorities also found manufacturing defects across 24 models from four manufacturers, prompting corrective actions. Kia will begin remedies on March 25 for 201,841 Carnival vehicles after identifying a potential fuel leak from a low-pressure fuel-line design flaw, which could cause stalling or fire while driving.

Hyundai will begin remedies on April 10 for 41,143 vehicles across two models, including the Palisade, after finding a wiring design flaw in the third-row left seat-belt buckle that can prevent the warning system from activating when the belt is unfastened.

KG Mobility has been carrying out fixes since March 16 for 78,293 vehicles across three models, including the Torres, after confirming that thermal loading and overheating of the cooling-fan resistor coil could lead to fires.

BMW Korea will start corrective measures on March 24 for 29,678 vehicles across 18 models, including the 520i, after finding an air-conditioning wiring design flaw that could damage wiring during filter replacement, potentially causing shorts and fires.

Owners can check whether their vehicle is subject to a recall and view specific defect details by entering a license plate number or vehicle identification number (VIN) on the Automobile Recall Center website.

Each manufacturer will notify owners of affected vehicles by mail and text message with instructions for repairs. Owners who paid out of pocket to fix defects before the remedy are eligible to apply to the manufacturer for reimbursement.