Hyundai has officially resumed sales of the Palisade and Palisade Hybrid in South Korea and North America. This move comes roughly one month after the company suspended sales of its flagship large SUV to address a critical safety defect involving the rear electric folding seats. The resumption marks the end of the safety recall by the automaker, to ensure occupant safety following a tragic incident in the United States.
Background: The Anti-Pinch Malfunction
The initial recall and sales halt were triggered by a fatal accident in Ohio last month. A two-year-old child was caught between the folding seats of a Palisade, raising immediate concerns regarding the vehicle’s safety sensors.
Investigations revealed a failure in the “Anti-Pinch” function. This feature is designed to immediately stop the folding mechanism if an object or person is detected in the seat’s path. While this safety tech is standard on the high-end Limited and Calligraphy trims, the failure prompted Hyundai to recall approximately 130,000 units across the Korean and American markets.
Enhanced Safety Features: What Has Changed?
To prevent future accidents, Hyundai has implemented comprehensive software updates and logic changes to the Palisade’s seating system. The primary updates include:
- Restrictive Folding Logic: Power folding is now restricted to only occur when the trunk is open, providing the operator with a clear line of sight to the interior.
- Infotainment Control Removal: The option to fold the rear seats via the central infotainment screen has been disabled to prevent accidental activation from the front of the cabin.
- Manual Control Override: The seat folding switch has been updated to a “Long Press” requirement. The seat will stop moving immediately if the user releases the button.
- Advanced Sensor Logic: Hyundai refined the sensor logic to improve the detection of occupants and objects, ensuring the anti-pinch system reacts with higher sensitivity.
Market Availability and Production Challenges
While sales have resumed in earnest as of April 8th, prospective buyers may face some initial hurdles.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Although the software fix is finalized, initial supply in South Korea is expected to be limited. Production at the Ulsan plant is currently facing parts shortages. This disruption is largely attributed to a recent fire at Daejeon Safety Industry, a key supplier for the Palisade lineup.
Trims Affected
The recall and subsequent updates primarily focused on the premium tiers of the SUV:
- Limited Trim
- Calligraphy Trim
Note: Owners of existing 2025 and 2026 Palisade models are encouraged to visit their local Hyundai service center to ensure their vehicle has received the latest safety software patches.
Summary of the Palisade Recall Resolution
| Feature | Previous Logic | New Safety Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Folding Trigger | One-touch / Screen activation | Long-press manual switch |
| Visibility | Possible with trunk closed | Only possible with trunk open |
| Anti-Pinch | Sensor failure reported | Enhanced sensor logic |
| Total Units Recalled | – | Approx. 130,000 |
