The Fix Is in for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade’s Rear-Seat Recall
After several weeks of development, Hyundai has released a solution for the Palisade’s well-publicized rear-seat issues.
Justin BannerWriterApr 08, 2026
001 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
Back in late March, news broke that Hyundai issued a recall for the 2026 Palisade and Palisade Hybrid Limited and Calligraphy trims due to their second- and third-row seats failing to properly detect passengers and objects. Sadly, a single fatality and four minor injuries occurred before a subsequent and permanent fix could be issued. Now, though, Hyundai has reported that a software revision has been released and owners will be able to download it through an over-the-air update (if they have an active Bluelink subscription) or by going to their local dealership to have it installed in their midsize three-row SUV in person.
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017 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy
What Gets Changed to Prevent This from Happening Again?
The software update to the powered seats will make changes in how the folding and tilt functions are activated and where they can be activated, and it will improve occupant and object detection. First, the folding and stowing controls are disabled from being used within the infotainment screen. Next, the seat and cargo area switches will now require a press-and-hold operation and will no longer allow one-touch folding.
The second-row tilt function will also require holding the button, but the one-touch function will remain for the return command. You will also need to press and hold the button for seat-back reclining during the return operation. The software has also updated the seat’s logic to detect a person or object in the seat and stop the folding and tilting functions from fully occurring. Finally, the liftgate must be open to use the fold-flat seat stowage function.
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What About the Kia Telluride That Is Also Under Recall?
As of this moment, Kia has not officially released a software update for its powered second-row seats on the 2027 Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige and the X-Line SX Prestige with the Executive package. We have contacted Kia for more information and will update this story when we receive a response. For now, owners of those Tellurides should closely monitor second-row occupancy when they want to use the tilt and folding functions.
Get This Recall Done ASAP
With any recall action, the software update will be free of charge to owners of affected Hyundai Palisades. For owners who need to visit a dealer to receive the update, that dealer will also be able to advise them on the soonest they can have this repair completed. Dealers should also be able to assist with rental and/or transportation while the vehicle is being fixed, but affected customers will want to read up on the rental reimbursement agreement Hyundai has for recall repairs.
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Justin Banner
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he’s had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He’s best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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The solution to the widely reported issue with the 2026 Hyundai Palisade’s powered rear seats has been confirmed by Hyundai.
After the automaker issued a recall for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade in late March, concerns arose regarding the second and third-row seats. Specifically, the seats failed to accurately detect passengers and obstructions, leading to reports of a fatality and four minor injuries prior to a permanent fix being issued.
The automaker has since released a software update, which is expected to resolve the matter. Owners may receive this update via over-the-air (OTA) notification if they have an active Bluelink subscription, or they can have it manually installed at a Hyundai dealership. The update addresses the issue of suffocation and other injuries caused by the inadvertent activation of the folding and tilting mechanisms in the powered rear seats.
Hyundai had previously issued a temporary software update in March. While that update was intended to mitigate the risk of injury, it was not considered a permanent fix. As of April 3, 2026, the manufacturer has released a proper software revision that is designed to permanently prevent the aforementioned problems.
001 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy. Hyundai’s software update addresses an issue with its powered second and third-row seats in the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. (Photo credit: Hyundai)
What Changes Were Made?
The updated software modifies how the powered seats are activated and their operational parameters, as well as improving occupant detection.
Here are the specific changes made:
Fold and stow controls disabled from the infotainment screen.
Seat and cargo area switches require a press-and-hold operation instead of one-touch folding.
The second-row tilt function requires holding the button for normal operation, while the one-touch function remains for the return command.
A press-and-hold is now required for seat-back reclining during the return operation.
The seat logic has been updated to detect a person or object and stop the folding and tilting functions from completing.
The liftgate must be open to use the fold-flat seat stowage function.
The update will be provided at no cost to owners of affected 2026 Hyundai Palisades. Dealerships will be able to provide guidance on scheduling the repair, as well as potential rental and transportation assistance during the service.
What About the Kia Telluride?
The 2026 Hyundai Palisade recall follows a similar issue that affected the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige and the X-Line SX Prestige with the Executive package.
As of this writing, Kia has not yet released a software update for the Kia Telluride. The manufacturer was contacted for comment and additional information will be provided once a response is received. For now, owners of these Kia models should monitor second-row occupancy when operating the folding and tilting functions of the rear seats.
By the Numbers
In the United States, there were approximately 50,360 units of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade that were affected by this recall. In addition to the 4 minor injuries and 1 fatality, there were 8 instances of partial and uncommanded folding/tilting of the rear seats.
Kia has not released the number of units affected by the 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid recall in the United States, as well as the number of potential injuries or deaths that have occurred in relation to that issue.
What to Look For: The Top 10 Most Common Vehicle Recalls in the U.S. in 2026
If you are interested in what issues that other vehicles have had with recalls, you can view the top 10 most common vehicle recalls that were issued in 2026. The following recalls are the most common in the United States, as well as where to look to find more information if you want to learn more about what Hyundai, Kia, and other automotive companies have experienced in terms of recalls, as well as any other information that you want to find in terms of what’s going on in the automotive world.
Here is the top 10 list of vehicle recalls that have occurred in the United States in 2026, as well as where to go to find out more information:
2026 Hyundai Palisade Recall
2026 Hyundai Palisade Stop Sale and Recall
2026 Hyundai Palisade Stop Sale and Recall
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2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige (Executive Package) Recall
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