2-year-old’s death triggers recall of thousands of Hyundai Palisade models in Canada, U.S.

A logo of Hyundai Motor is seen during the media day at the Seoul Mobility Show in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

More than 69,000 Hyundai vehicles are being recalled in Canada and the United States due to seats that “may not stop moving,” leading to risk of injury.

According to the recall posted on Transport Canada’s website, the second- and third-row seats on certain vehicles “may not detect an obstruction” when power folding functions like the “automatic power folding (stow) or the one-touch tilt-and-slide (walk-in)” are used.

“If this happens, the seat(s) may not stop moving even if there’s an obstruction,” the recall posted first on March 17 and updated the next day said.

“A seat that doesn’t stop moving could increase the risk of injury.”

Vehicles affected by the recall in Canada are 7,967 Hyundai Palisade SUV models with the model year 2026.

Recalls in Canada and the U.S. were triggered after an incident earlier in March in which a two-year-old was killed in Ohio, Reuters reported. There were reports of four other minor injuries connected to the Palisade’s rear power seats, as of Friday.

“Hyundai is aware of a tragic incident involving a Palisade,” the automaker said. “While Hyundai does not yet have the full details and the incident is still under investigation, a young child lost her life. Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family.”

The carmaker has stopped the sale of Hyundai Palisade Limited and Calligraphy trims in the U.S. and Canada, a statement posted on March 13 on its website said.

The automaker has advised Canadian customers to ensure the seats are empty before using any of the above-mentioned power folding functions. Customers are also advised to not use the one-touch tilt-and-slide (walk-in) feature when they are entering or exiting the third-row seats.

Customers will be notified by the company in writing, the recall states.

Hyundai is developing a “wireless over-the-air software update” to fix the power seat control software of the affected vehicles as an interim repair.

“While this update is not the permanent recall repair, it is intended to enhance the system’s response to contact with occupants or objects, introduce additional operating safeguards, and enhance overall system safety,” the automaker said.

Customers can schedule an appointment to have the interim update performed at a Hyundai dealership or find if this recall applies to their vehicle here.

The company said a more permanent fix is still being developed, but will be free of charge when it’s available.

Earlier in January, more than 600,000 SUVs from the same automaker were recalled in Canada and the United States due to a potential defect in airbag deployment during a crash.