Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2026 Hyundai Palisade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while parked in the driveway, the seat adjustment feature on the second-row passenger side captain's seat failed to detect the presence of a minor occupant. As a result, the seat continued to move, causing compression of the child, who was ultimately able to slide out. The seat adjustment feature became inoperable. The contact stated that the minor occupant sustained a sore back. No medical treatment was obtained. No other injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact is relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 26V160000 (Seats). The failure occurred at 5,897 miles.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while checking all the vehicle features, the second-row passenger seat independently started to fold. The contact believed it was operator's error since the vehicle was recently purchased. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V160000 (Seats). The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,744.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while his mother was exiting the vehicle, her ankle was crushed by the seats, and medical attention was provided. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: AWAITING1 (Seats). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500.
Incident Description: While assisting a child seated in the third row, my wife leaned between the second-row seatback and the vehicle's side pillar to unbuckle the child's seatbelt. During this time, the second-row "3rd-row access" button was accidentally pressed, which triggered the automatic powered seat movement. The second-row seat began reclining and moving without warning, and my wife's head became trapped between the seatback and the side pillar as the seat continued to move. The powered seat did not immediately stop when resistance was encountered, creating a dangerous entrapment situation involving the head and neck area. The seat had to be manually stopped to free her. Fortunately, serious injury was avoided, but the situation posed a significant risk of head, neck, or crushing injury, especially in a family vehicle frequently used to access the third row. …
2026 Hyundai Palisade Caligraphy Walk-in Auto Cycle crushed my adult daughter's legs between second row seat and the driver's seat. This occurred after my daughter took her seat (in the 2nd row) and our [redacted] grandson (sitting behinder her in the 3rd row seat) inadvertently pressed the "walk-in" button on the back of his mother's seat. Once the auto-cycle started, she did not know how to stop it. This is a completely unacceptable design as the vehicle will move seats in auto-cycle despite the fact that there is a person sitting in the seat. I reported this problem to the dealer and to Hyundai Corporation as a safety issue. I insisted that the vehicle design should be immediately changed and that they treat this as a safety issue. Hyundai engaged with a third party inspector (EAA Bosch) to review the vehicle and the design. Hyundai's final disposition on this to me (sent on Feb. …
My [redacted] daughter and I were sitting in a parking lot while we waiting for my other child in an appointment. She was walking back and forth between the front of the car and the back of the car. Then all of a sudden I heard screaming and I looked back and she was completely folded in half in the 3rd row seats that were collapsed on her. I jumped back to try and get her out, which I couldn't, and it took me several seconds to figure out which buttons to push to open the seats back up. I took her to the doctor and they said that really lucky based on how she folded in the seat. I knew there was a recall, but I did not realize that a [redacted] girl died from this on Friday. …
I was vacuuming out my car with my children. I was on the passenger side and had the second row seat folded down so I could vacuum behind it. I hit a button on the side of the seat. As I was bent over the seat vacuuming still I didn't realize it was autocorrecting to the full upright position. It did not detect me there and before I knew it I was being sandwiched between the seat back and side of the car. Thankfully because I am an adult and taller I rose up on my tip toes quickly as I was screaming for my children to help. But I didn't have enough time to get out completely. My head was pinched between the second row seat head rest and the side of the car. I was panicking to find the button as my daughter came running over to find a button to free myself. My ears were red and sore and the side of my head was sore for a while. …
Component/system: Second- and third-row power seat assemblies (Recall 26V160000) and third-row driver-side seat belt buckle wiring (Recall 26V169000). Both components are available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The power seat system may fail to detect an occupant during folding operation, creating a crushing hazard. This defect is linked to the death of a [redacted] child in [redacted] on March 7, 2026, and multiple reported injuries. The seat belt defect may cause a false latch indicator, leaving a rear passenger unrestrained without the driver's knowledge. Confirmed by dealer/manufacturer: Yes. Hyundai Motor America has formally acknowledged both defects via official safety recalls. Hyundai issued a stop-sale order on all unsold 2026 Palisade Calligraphy vehicles. Inspected by manufacturer: Yes. …
I am reporting a safety concern following an over-the-air (OTA) recall update (Hyundai Recall #296) on my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD (software version 263Q.LX3.USA.ccNC.001.001.260326). I understand this recall was issued in response to a fatal incident involving the second-row seat system, which is why this issue is especially concerning. Since the update, the second-row walk-in seat function used for third-row access is not operating correctly. When I press the button near the headrest, the seat does not move fully forward, and I have to use the manual slide forward/back button to move it the rest of the way. When returning the seat, it does not go all the way back, and the seatback remains tilted forward at about a 70-80 degree angle instead of returning to its normal upright position, requiring manual adjustment using the recline button. …
The issue involves the second and third-row power folding seat control system in my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid following Recall 296. Before the recall update, the vehicle included driver-controlled power folding seat functions through infotainment screen controls and one-touch seat folding operation. After Recall 296 was performed, Hyundai disabled or significantly altered these functions due to safety/compliance concerns involving the seat folding system. The affected component is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has already been inspected and updated by Hyundai under the recall process. My concern is that the recall confirms there was a safety-related issue involving the power folding seat mechanism and occupant protection. …
Related recalls
Seats › Mid/rear assembly › Power adjust
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Palisade and 2026 Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with a Limited or Calligraphy trim package. The second and third row power seats may fail to detect a person.
Remedy: Owners are advised to exercise caution when operating the second and third row power seat functions until the repair is performed.
Seat complaints in other Palisade years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the seats of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, 39% of the model year's 125 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2026 Hyundai Palisade seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-160 (power adjust, Mar 17, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2026 Hyundai Palisade seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to seats problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.