Hyundai recalls Palisade in North America for rear-seat sensor defect

Hyundai Motor Company said it will halt sales of certain configurations of its All-New Palisade due to a safety defect linked to the vehicle’s second- and third-row electric seats. The company said the seats may fail to detect contact properly under some conditions when they fold, prompting the temporary sales suspension and an upcoming recall.

The move follows a recent incident in the United States reported by Reuters, in which a two-year-old girl died in Ohio in a case linked to the Palisade’s electric-seat system. Hyundai said it will proceed with a voluntary recall for affected vehicles and will notify customers as part of the recall process.

Hyundai plans to file the recall with Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration next week. The recall targets vehicles produced up to March 11 of the current year.

The recall scope appears to cover 57,474 units domestically in Korea and 74,965 units in North America, where the Palisade is a popular midsize SUV. Hyundai did not indicate any other markets or configurations beyond these figures in its statement.

Hyundai noted that a recall is planned for already-sold vehicles, and the company apologized to customers for the inconvenience, saying safety remains the highest priority and that it will thoroughly address the issue to restore trust and satisfaction.

For U.S. readers, the developing recall underscores cross-border safety oversight and the role of federal regulators in addressing potential external-seat sensor failures in popular family SUVs. It also highlights how a single safety defect can prompt rapid action by automakers with wide overseas sales and supply chains.

The All-New Palisade was a significant export for Hyundai, with roughly 100,000 units shipped worldwide last year, and domestic sales reaching about 59,506 units. The episode could influence how Hyundai manages seat-sensor technology and recalls in the United States, where NHTSA oversight and consumer safety expectations remain stringent.