Hyundai issues stop sale for some 2026 Palisade SUVs after safety incident

Friday 13 March 2026 - 20:20

Automaker Hyundai Motor Company has temporarily halted sales of certain 2026 models of the Hyundai Palisade in United States and Canada following a safety concern involving the vehicle’s power seat system.

The company announced that a stop-sale measure has been introduced for specific Palisade trims, including Limited and Calligraphy versions, while an investigation and recall process is underway. The decision comes after authorities reported a tragic incident earlier this month involving a young child in the state of Ohio.

According to the manufacturer, the issue may involve the second- and third-row power seats, which might not properly detect contact with passengers or objects in certain circumstances. The system is designed to automatically stop movement if resistance is detected, but the company said the feature may not always function as intended.

Automotive safety regulators and company engineers are currently reviewing the situation to determine the scope of the problem and identify possible technical solutions. In the meantime, dealerships have been instructed to pause sales of the affected vehicles until corrective measures are implemented.

Vehicle recalls and stop-sale orders are standard procedures in the automotive industry when manufacturers identify potential safety risks. They allow companies to update components or software and ensure vehicles meet required safety standards before returning to the market.

Industry analysts note that automakers have increasingly strengthened safety monitoring systems as modern vehicles incorporate more automated features and electronic controls.