NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I am filing this complaint to formally report that Hyundai’s finalized remedy for the power seat safety recall (Recall 296) is entirely inadequate, introduces secondary safety hazards, and constitutes a fundamental breach of express warranty regarding the vehicle’s advertised capabilities. Rather than engineering a physical hardware fix to add the necessary anti-pinch sensors that were omitted during manufacturing, Hyundai deployed a permanent software downgrade that breaks heavily marketed core features. I purchased this vehicle approximately two months ago specifically for its seamless third-row accessibility. The first page of the 2026 Palisade sales brochure explicitly states: "And every Palisade offers a one-touch walk-in feature that lets passengers access the third row without removing a child seat. Best of all, every power seat can also be controlled from the driver’s display – so you can be the ultimate host." Hyundai’s final software fix permanently destroys both of these guaranteed features. It completely disables the driver's ability to fold or stow the seats from the central touchscreen. Furthermore, it replaces the one-touch access with a continuous press-and-hold requirement, and mandates that the rear liftgate must be open to use the fold-flat functions from the cargo area. This multi-step process introduces a new safety hazard. Forcing passengers to stand outside the vehicle for extended periods holding a button, or requiring a parent to exit the vehicle and open the rear liftgate just to adjust the seats in a busy school drop-off zone or parking lot, puts my family directly in harm's way. By pushing a software downgrade to quickly lift a stop-sale order, Hyundai has permanently degraded the exact functionality they used to sell the vehicle, rather than implementing a true mechanical repair. I urge the NHTSA to reject this software patch as a final remedy and compel Hyundai to develop a proper physical hardware retrofit.
My [XXX] old was sitting in the middle right captain chair in her carseat. My [XXX] daughter was in the third row. My [XXX] daughter accidentally hit the power seat tilt button making the seat my [XXX] old was sitting in push up against the back of the front right passenger seat, crushing my [XXX] olds feet, where she suffered a broken foot where the toes meet the rest of the foot. We had to bring my [XXX] to the emergency room and podiatrist where xrays confirmed the injury. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The issue involves a safety defect affecting the second- and third-row seating system in my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy. The defect has been identified through an active manufacturer recall indicating a risk of injury to passengers in these seating positions. The vehicle has been out of service and in the dealership’s possession since April 3, 2026, and is available for inspection upon request. This defect poses a direct safety risk, particularly to children. I have two young children, who would regularly occupy these seats. Due to the recall and lack of an effective repair, I am unable to safely use these seating positions, significantly limiting the safe operation and intended use of the vehicle. The issue has been confirmed by the manufacturer through a safety recall and stop sale. The dealership acknowledged the defect and accepted the vehicle for service; however, after attempted repairs, the condition remained unresolved. When I tested the vehicle at the dealership, both I and a technician observed that the seats continued to present a safety hazard. Specifically, the seat mechanism did not stop or resist as expected and continued moving in a manner that could cause injury. The seat did not stop under pressure and could potentially trap or crush an occupant, even with applied resistance. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealership following direction from a Hyundai Motor America case manager. There has been no involvement from police or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps or prior symptoms. The defect was identified through a manufacturer-issued recall on or about March 29, 2026. The defect presents a foreseeable risk of injury during normal use and has not been corrected despite manufacturer awareness and attempted repair.
I own a 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Calligraphy. A recent over-the-air software update removed the ability to control rear seats through the infotainment system, which was a key feature at the time of purchase. This change was made without meaningful notice or consent and significantly alters how the vehicle is used. In some situations, it now requires physically reaching or repositioning to operate seats, which may create new safety or usability concerns when managing passengers or cargo. I relied on this feature while managing kids in the car. I was accustomed to this feature and it was a large reason we purchased the car. It was not “convenience” but a function that allowed us to manage our kids saftey I am submitting this complaint because a major vehicle function was removed after purchase, and I believe post-sale software changes that reduce functionality should be reviewed.
While loading the rear of the vehicle at the end of a camp trip, my child was seated in the second row seat. When I was loading equipment into the trunk, some of the equipment bumped the button that activates folding the seat in the second row. The seat sensor did not identify my child was in the seat, and it began to close on my child. My child was able to open the door and escape the seat before he was crushed. There is a known recall for this hazard.
Some time around November the third row seat didn’t close, so I opened it back up, didn’t see anything stopping it, hit the button again, and then it closed but I heard a crunching noise - I reopened to discover there was a plastic storage box that ended up getting completely crushed. I didn’t think much about it, not even after the recall, until this week. The same left side of third row was closed. I went to open it to get ready to pack out for spring break and it opened half way and got stuck at a 45 degree open angle. It wouldn’t close or open again. During this same time trying to figure it out, my teenager opened the driver side rear door to get into the rear seat to see if something was getting it stuck. At the same time I opened the driver door and the driver seat automatically started moving backwards like always, but with my teenager being the driver seat and her foot got stuck under the driver seat because that sensor as well in the front seat didn’t stop when she was behind it. I think it is beyond just the serving and third rows and the front toe doesn’t have a proper sensor either. This was Friday at 4:50. I immediately called my dealer to see if they could help us get something fixed so we could leave for spring break as planned the next day and they said managers were already gone for the day and told my Hyundai corp needed to handle and gave me that phone number. Hyundai Corp. opened a ticket for me, but said that this was definitely something the dealer would have to handle in regards to getting me a rental and any matter of recourse. I called my local dealer back who said that no one would be able to talk to me until Monday so we had to delay our spring break trip and we are still in limbo, wondering what is going to happen tomorrow. My Husband is absolutely refusing to put our family of four children in the car at this moment because of the safety issues unresolved.
Subject: Urgent Safety Complaint – Child Entrapment Due to Seat Malfunction – Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy On [XXX], my wife was picking up our two [XXX] children from school in our recently purchased Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy (purchased on [XXX]). Our daughter was properly seated in a booster seat in the second-row passenger seat next to my son. Without warning, the vehicle seat began to automatically fold forward and compress inward onto the child. The seat did not respond to any controls and continued closing despite my wife’s attempts to stop it. The force of the seat crushed the booster seat. My wife had to physically intervene and pull our daughter out while the seat continued to move. The seat ultimately locked in a compressed position and could not be reversed using any available controls. This incident caused extreme distress and posed a serious risk of severe injury or death to our child. A school staff member witnessed my wife’s distress immediately following the incident. Upon contacting Hyundai customer service, we were informed that Hyundai was already aware of this issue and that a recall had recently been issued. We were also told that there has already been at least one death associated with this defect. Despite this knowledge, we were not notified prior to this incident. We only received a recall-related communication after the event occurred. We attempted to bring the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership on March 25, 2026. The dealership had no record of our scheduled appointment, could not provide an immediate inspection, and did not offer a loaner vehicle despite the vehicle being unsafe for transporting children. We are no longer able to safely use this vehicle for our family. This complaint is being filed due to: •A critical safety defect involving automatic seat movement and child entrapment •Failure to adequately warn consumers of a known dangerous condition •Exposure of a mino INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am the owner of a 2026 Hyundai Palisade, purchased new less than 60 days ago. This vehicle is currently subject to a safety recall involving the 2nd and 3rd row power seat assemblies, which reportedly lack sufficient anti-pinch protection during certain seat adjustment functions, including automatic power-folding (stow) and the one-touch tilt-and-slide (“walk-in”) feature. We experienced this defect firsthand in our vehicle. During operation of the second-row seat adjustment feature, the seat continued moving without adequate resistance detection or automatic stop, indicating a failure of the anti-pinch protection system. This created a hazardous condition where an occupant could become trapped or injured by the moving seat mechanism. This issue is especially concerning because these seat functions are located in areas of the vehicle intended for passengers and children. We have an infant who will be occupying these seating areas, and this defect presents a direct safety risk. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have also become aware that this defect has been linked to multiple injuries and the death of a young child. Additionally, Hyundai has issued a stop-sale on affected vehicles, yet current owners are still expected to operate them without a confirmed repair available. At this time, no remedy has been completed on my vehicle, and I do not believe it is safe to operate given the nature of the defect and its location within the passenger seating area. I was told to ask the dealership for a loaner, which the dealership does not have. Additionally, Hyundai said they would cover $60/day in rental fees. A similarly-sized SUV in our area rents at $210/day - a payment discrepancy we cannot afford.
Vehicle shifted into neutral while driving Myself and others were put into danger as I was on the highway with no warning
Error message Active Air Flap System The vehicle has 1,720 miles and there is no damage or debris that is causing the alarm to go off that is visible. The air flaps get stuck and don't automatically open and close correctly. I've searched forums and there are several other owners with the same error message.
My [XXX] 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 [XXX] girl died from this on Friday. There have been several incidents where the seats started to close by themselves on our car seats (and the car seats didn’t prevent them from closing), but luckily I was there right when it happened and was able to push a buttons to stop it (again, NOT intuitive on which buttons to push). None of the buttons are intuitive on how they function. The seats have also closed in on my older children before, but they were able to stop them or jump out of the seats in time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On Saturday, March 14, 2026 we received a text message from Hyundai indicating there was a recall for the car. The message contained info stating to use caution when using the power seats. There were no instructions regarding what to do and no info regarding the need to contact the dealer. “Use caution” was the message given. A second message was received on March 16 at 8:56 PM with the same information but also stated there was “No remedy”. Again it was stated to “use caution”. (What is that exactly??). Please note the following incidents: On Monday, March 16 at 4 PM my husband was securing our [XXX] grandchild into the 3rd row seat to his carseat. He was in the backseat to strap him in when the 2nd row seat began to move backward and ultimately trap him. He was unable to get out. I was in the trunk area so I pushed the switch in the cargo area to push the seat forward. There was no response and the seat kept closing in on him. He was being crushed by the seat and his legs were pinned. He recently had a hip replacement. Our grandchild was being crushed with my husband on top of him. We were eventually able to move the seat forward off of my husband. Another grandchild was in a car seat in the second row. The second row seat started to fold down on top of her and I was unable to stop it. The rear facing carseat wedged her between the seats. She was trapped as well. Her legs were pushed up to her shoulders and she was crying. She weighs about 20 pounds. We were unable to move the seat off of her. The carseat remained wedged between the 1st and 2nd rows. We were able to pull her out of the carseat but were unable to get the seat to unfold. See photos That evening we watched the news and noted the story involving the death of a toddler who experienced a malfunction of the seats. Note when we first got the car on 12/22/25 the seats crushed a garbage can(Photo) We now realize why that happened. We contacted the dealer on 3/17, returned car 3/18. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, VIN [XXX] , purchased March 6, 2026 with under 2,200 miles at time of incident. SAFETY INCIDENT: While operating under adaptive cruise control at highway speed, the vehicle experienced sudden unintended acceleration followed by severely delayed braking response. At least three trailing vehicles were forced into emergency evasive action to avoid a multi-vehicle collision. Family members were present. This event represents a direct and immediate threat to the safety of vehicle occupants and the public. The root cause has not been definitively identified or resolved. The authorized dealership confirmed CAN-Bus resistance irregularities — 160 ohms versus the designed 120-ohm specification — governing acceleration, braking, and all driver assist systems. Prior symptoms included flickering interior lighting. An initial module replacement failed. Repair has escalated to full wiring harness replacement with no parts availability and no confirmed timeline. The safety event remains undiagnosed and unresolved. The vehicle carries three simultaneous active safety recalls — 293, 296, and 297 — all involving electrical and wiring systems on the Calligraphy trim exclusively. None have permanent remedies. The vehicle has been in dealer custody since March 21, 2026 and is available for inspection. Hyundai Motor America active case — No. XXX. This vehicle is not safe to operate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting an inadequate and deceptive remedy for NHTSA Recall 296 (Hyundai Recall 296) regarding the 2026 Palisade Calligraphy. The original safety defect involved the failure of the power-folding 2nd and 3rd-row seats to detect obstructions, leading to a known fatality. However, instead of repairing the defective sensors with functional hardware, Hyundai’s 'remedy' involves a software update that permanently disables advertised vehicle functionality.The 'One-Touch' automatic folding feature, which was a primary selling point of this $55,000+ luxury trim, has been deleted. Furthermore, all touchscreen controls for these seats have been disabled. Owners are now forced to manually hold physical buttons for the duration of the seat movement. This 'fix' shifts the burden of safety onto the consumer rather than repairing the vehicle's faulty equipment. I believe this remedy is a 'feature-stripping' measure to avoid the cost of a proper hardware repair, and it constitutes a substantial loss of vehicle value and utility.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number (AWAITING1), Manufacturer Recall Number: 296 (SEATS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the 2nd and 3rd row power seats failed to adjust as needed. The contact was concerned that small children may be injured due to the seats not operating properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Component that malfunctioned - "Keep you eye on the road" On a 300 mile trip the alarm went off numerous times even though my eyes were on the road and at times it would disengage the Cruise Control. At highway speed when a car is following closely the disengage of the cruise control and a rapid reduction in speed could cause an accident. The dealer indicated that this system is controlled by software and a correction would likely come from the manufacturer.
Small rock chip in windshield and the next day when turning on the defrost a long crack formed that is approximately 10-12 inches. The windshield is very flimsy and driving with a cracked windshield is a safety issue. The dealer confirmed that several others have called with windshield repairs and that they don't do the work themselves and told me to call safelite.
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.
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. Safety Concern: The second-row automatic seat movement can be triggered accidentally and does not appear to have adequate obstruction detection or pinch protection. When someone is leaning into the third row (which is common when assisting children), the seat movement can create a severe head or body entrapment hazard. This appears to be a serious safety defect involving powered seat movement and inadequate obstruction detection.
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.
I am reporting a safety concern involving my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited involving repeated engine malfunction warning lights and diagnostic trouble code P001600 (camshaft/crankshaft timing correlation fault). This issue has occurred multiple times within the first 60 days of ownership and the vehicle has been taken to a Hyundai dealership twice. The dealer has not been able to determine a permanent repair and states the code is stored as a history fault without an available fix at this time. This defect is concerning because camshaft/crankshaft timing correlation faults can potentially result in engine stall, loss of power, or unexpected shutdown while driving, which could create a serious safety risk. I routinely drive long distances and transport two small children in this vehicle and no longer feel confident in the safety and reliability of this vehicle due to the unresolved engine defect. Additionally, I understand there is a recent safety recall affecting certain 2026 Hyundai Palisade vehicles, which increases my concern about the safety of this vehicle platform. I am submitting this complaint because this appears to be a potential safety defect involving engine operation that could affect safe driving conditions.
The vehicle is a 2026 Hyundai Palisade equipped with second- and third-row power seats subject to Recall #296. The power seat system may fail to detect contact with an occupant or object during operation, including folding and tilt functions. This creates a safety risk because the seat can continue moving despite contact with a person, increasing the risk of injury, particularly to children in the rear seating area. This defect has been associated with a reported child fatality. The issue is known and confirmed by the manufacturer through the recall. I became aware of the condition in early March 2026. There were no prior warning messages or indicators before learning of the defect. At this time, no repair or remedy is available and no timeline for correction has been provided. The vehicle remains in service with this unresolved safety defect. Hyundai has been engaged in delay tactics rather than customer service. The condition has not been independently repaired or corrected. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
The rear power-folding seat in my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy failed to detect my child while closing. The seat continued applying force and did not automatically stop. I had to manually intervene to release her. This created a dangerous situation with risk of serious injury or death. This vehicle is currently under recall for this exact issue, and I have personally experienced the defect.
I own a 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid, VIN [XXX] le is included in two safety recalls: 1.Second- and third-row power-folding seats may fail to detect a person or object, creating a risk of trapping or crushing a child. 2.[Second recall issue—e.g., seat sensor/seatbelt defect] may prevent proper seat operation or restraint, further endangering passengers. I transport a toddler daily, and have another little one on the way. While these recalls are unresolved, I cannot safely use the vehicle. No accident or injury has occurred, but the defects pose a significant risk of child injury or death. I am filing this complaint to document these serious safety risks and request that the NHTSA ensure Hyundai addresses both defects promptly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Since purchasing the vehicle on February 4, 2026 this has happened twice, where I press the brake pedal to try to stop the vehicle and the engine accelerates and it's hard to keep vehicle stopped. When this happened for the first time I was leaving my subdivision and try to stop at a stop sign and vehicle accelerated while I was trying to stop. It took me by surprise, so I pressed the park gear to stop the vehicle. Then it happened again yesterday 2/22/2026. I called the dealer today 2/23/2026 to report the issue, they won't have a loaner until 3/06/2026. I did informed them, that if this happened again before then, I was taking the vehicle directly to them, as I'm no taking the chance to have an accident while waiting for a loaner and have the vehicle checked.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that the vehicle turned off on several occasions after the engine Auto START/STOP system was engaged. The vehicle was restarted and was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle after the vehicle was refueled at a gas station, the check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle failed to respond while shifted to drive(D). The vehicle was towed to the contact's business. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 5,463.
On at least 8 occasions, the vehicle has issued a warning to take control now of the vehicle and then begun to stop the vehicle. On 2/16/26, it tried to stop the vehicle on two occasions, and the driver had to press the gas pedal as a car was approaching from behind. I have videos and dash cam videos of several occurrences. It also has determined that an overpass was an obstacle and tried to stop the vehicle. I have taken it to the Hyundai dealership 5x. Hyundai cannot duplicate the issue, but the videos clearly show the problem. It is random. There is a significant defect with the sensors and/or software.
Small rock chip in windshield and the next day it was already a long crack formed that is taking up the entire driver view. How this cracked after sitting in my garage overnight is beyond me. I have now been told by the dealership (Northwest Hyundai in Houston) that my dealer windshield coverage only covers up to $1,000 and the replacement is almost $1.900. he said there is no aftermarket options to get it for less. When I bought the car, they said the overage would cover the cost to replace the entire windshield if needed. (I know never buy the dealer add on, but it was a crunch situation to get the car I needed, and I got it for MSRP with the dealer add ons anyways so figured hey if something happens at least I dont have to pay for a new windshield.... welp-- didnt expect to deal with a chip during into a long crack over night.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while inside a residential parking lot and attempting to park, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated independently while in the Drive Gear Position and crashed into a parked vehicle, where it came to a stop. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in the vehicle. No warning light illuminated. The contact stated no injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The contact mentioned she spoke with the insurance company, where it was pending inspection and repairs. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,100.
Rear drivers side third row seat did not stop closing when child was sitting in the seat (button was accidentally pressed by child). Thankfully we were loading the trunk and were able to move the child out of the way while another one of us hit the button to lift the seat back up. Child was [XXX] lbs/ [XXX] old. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On Friday, 1/30/26, My daughter, granddaughter and grandson were heading out of town and tried to lower the 3rd row seat on the driver's side to put our luggage in the back. My [XXX] granddaughter was buckled in the second row seat. The 2nd row seat button was pushed. My granddaughter started screaming about the seat coming down on her. We kept trying to stop it, it finally stopped (we were lucky). I ran to my granddaughter and she was completely squashed in the seat and could not get out. She is tiny, roughly 40 lbs, the opening was roughly 6" to 8". It was not easy but I was able to pull her out. We did not touch the button or try to move the seat until I arrived back home on Saturday night, 1/31/26. My husband pushed the button and was able to place the 2nd row seat back into place. This was really scarry and with all the sensors the Palisade has, I am not sure how this happened. Prior to purchasing this car, we did our research on the safety and reliability of 2026 SUV's. What is the length of time Hyundai has to recall and repair? This is really a liability to everyone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have the video BUT I AM UNSURE how to upload or share Incident Description: The vehicle is experiencing intermittent, complete engine stalls while in motion at highway speeds. The failure has occurred four times. Initial Symptom: The issue first manifested as "stuttering" and erratic behavior from the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which I thought it was. Escalation: The vehicle has since progressed to a total loss of power. During these incidents, I was forced to pull over on high-speed corridors (Hwy 46 and Hwy 5) to restart the vehicle. Recurring Pattern: Most recently, after a stall and restart, the vehicle stalled again within a few blocks. I have captured video evidence of the stall occurring immediately after the vehicle was "reset" and put back into motion. Safety Concern: This is a life-threatening defect. The vehicle loses propulsion without warning in high-speed traffic. The manufacturer’s service department (Hyundai) has been unable to identify a diagnostic fault code, citing "No Problem Found," and has only attempted a software/values reset, which has failed to correct the physical stalling.
While driving on a California freeway at approximately 70mph, the engine check light began flashing, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe power loss, entered reduced power mode, and began violently shaking. Engine braking occurred without brake light activation, creating an immediate rear-end collision risk from following traffic. The vehicle would not stop shaking until restarted. This occurred twice — once in January 2026 and again in March 2026, both on the freeway with passengers in the vehicle. The dealer confirmed fault codes P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire), P0306 (Cylinder 6 Misfire), and P0300 (Random/Multiple Misfire) on both visits. On the first visit the dealer called the codes normal and returned the vehicle unrepaired. The second visit lasted 44 days. The dealer could not reproduce the fault during the entire 44-day period. A Hyundai Field Service Engineer physically visited the dealership and applied a special software update to the Engine Control Module. The closed repair order documents this as "UPDATE SPECIAL SOFTWARE INTO ENGINE CONTROL UNIT" with no TSB number, no software version before or after, and no GDS event number. The dealer confirmed they have no access to this update and cannot verify what was changed. No Proof of Correction was issued for California emissions compliance. The two recalls performed on the same repair order both have proper TSB numbers and STUI documentation. The ECM update has none. Concerned about emissions compliance and potential fault code suppression on a California-registered vehicle.
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. I’m terrified to think that if that was one of my children as they were helping me vacuum that they would not have been able to raise up tall enough to keep from having severe head trauma or that if the seat had gone back just a little further how seriously injured I may have been. I was traumatized for several days. Understanding that a child died now is just heartbreaking and scares me even more!
Purchased a brand new car at Gerald North Aurora on 12/31 with 400 miles and on 01/25 car wont start with 717 miles and I had to register a road side assistance for jump start and after service center visit they replaced with a brand new battery. And same thing happened on 02/16 at 942 miles after inspection they said battery drained and they had to charge it. There is an issue with my car and I need it replaced with as it is a new car.
My 9 year old daughter was sitting in middle row, as her sisters were getting in as well, the recliner button was pressed and she was being pinned against the front row seat. She wiggled her way out but suffers from Spina bifida and wears AFO braces for her feet. Her foot braces were caught and they snapped but luckily she was able to wiggle out.
Dear Public Safety office, I am writing to request clarification regarding the proper operation of seat belt retractors. I want to ensure that I fully understand how seat belt mechanisms are intended to function during normal adult use. The reason for my inquiry is that I am experiencing inconsistent behavior between the driver side and passenger side seat belts in my new vehicle (Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy 2026). I have taken the car to the dealership and they informed me that it's working as expected by Hyundai but I am still unclear. I want to confirm whether the behavior I am seeing aligns with safety requirements. Here is what I am observing: •The driver side seat belt behaves as I would expect: if pulled fully and released quickly, it locks momentarily, but it releases normally on the next pull. •The passenger side seat belt, however, locks and remains locked, preventing the occupant from pulling the belt out again and moving even a quarter of an inch. This only unlocks when they completely unlatch and relatch it. This occurs even when the belt has not been fully extended. My questions are: 1.Should a seat belt ever remain locked to the point where an adult passenger cannot pull the belt out again without unlatching it and not even move a bit? 2.Is it expected for the driver and passenger retractors to behave differently under normal use? I want to ensure that I understand the federal requirements correctly before pursuing further inspection or repair. Any guidance or clarification you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and assistance. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving, the vehicle displays a warning of "Eyes on Road, Hands on Wheel". It has happened 6x since vehicle purchase, most recent on 10 Jan 26. The most recent occurrence was 10 Jan 26. Hyundai has issued a bulletin that this could occur when wearing sunglasses. The most recent time it was raining, no sun, no sunglasses and hands were on wheel at 10/2. Warning message displayed for several seconds (eyes on road/hands on wheel) and then went into stop mode on the highway. Tapping the brakes broke the lock and are continued without stopping. Been to dealership 3x. Hyundai says it can be caused due to sunglasses. Most recent time, no sunglasses.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the anti-pinch protection feature was inoperative and failed to identify that the seat was occupied. The contact’s grandson accidentally hit an unknown button and was squished by the seat. The failure caused emotional distress to her grandson. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (AWAITING1); Manufacturer Recall Number: 296 (Structure, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer, however, a dealer was contacted and confirmed 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 not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 800.
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 [XXX] 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. 27, 2026 stated: "...there is no evidence of a defect or malfunction contributing to the reported condition with the seat, at this time. Therefore, while we sympathize with you about the incident, in the absence of a finding of a defect, Hyundai will not be accepting any liability or offering any financial assistance." We asked Hyundai to fix this problem before someone got hurt. Yesterday, (March 16, 2026) we learned that a [XXX] girl was killed by one of these power seats with what appears to be the identical issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The front grille on my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy has developed visible deformation that appears consistent with heat damage or melting. The plastic behind and around the grille slats shows wavy, rippled distortion and texture changes. There is no evidence of impact damage, road debris, or external chemical exposure. The vehicle has approximately 2,000 miles and is only about 42 days old. The vehicle is unmodified and has been used under normal driving conditions. This damage appears to be a material or manufacturing defect, as automotive grille plastics should not deform under normal operating temperatures. I took the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai service center. The dealer acknowledged the condition but stated it would not be covered under warranty, claiming there is nothing mechanical wrong and that it is not a defect. No alternative explanation was provided for the heat-related deformation. I am concerned this may be related to excessive heat buildup behind the grille, material failure, or a design issue involving airflow, active grille shutters, or reflective trim. This condition should not occur on a new vehicle and may affect vehicle safety, cooling performance, or long-term durability. Photos of the affected grille areas are attached for reference.
A passenger got into the passenger side middle row seat and the seat fold up button was accidentally bumped while the person was trying to get situated and buckled. The seat began moving and folding forward, pinning the passenger between the seat they were in and the back of the front seat. This incident hurt the passenger who had the force of the seat against her and it frightened her very badly. If the door had been locked, the passenger would not have been able to be helped out and could have sustained worse injuries. I have not had the dealer look at this yet as we live almost 3 hours away from the nearest one.
I have been continuously receiving check engine notifications that show the engine cylinders misfiring. This seems to only happen at highway speeds which could cause a safety hazard should the driver need to accelerate for merging/passing/etc. I have brought this issue into the dealership once so far and they said they couldn't do anything since they were unable to replicate the issue while driving it. From what I've seen online, many other owners of this vehicle are having similar problems with the same responses from their local dealerships.
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.
Driving around 30mph pressing brakes to slow down and brakes felt softer than normal. Noticed when around 7 mph car continues to not come to full stop but continued to move. This happened 3 times during the same drive. Once on my street I attempted to slow down to turn into my driveway. Car reduced to 5mph but jersey and accelerated. Had to slam brakes to stop. Was not detected by dash cam which is programed to record driving events. Bought a sante fe car in Sept 2026. Had same incident. Swapped it for 2026 palisade calligraphy, had same incident. Swapped for this one..dealership says could not duplicate. Obvious it is not an isolated problem. What can be done?
The 2nd and 3rd row power-folding seats in my 2026 Hyundai Palisade do not detect the presence of a person or object when automatically folding. The seats continue to fold even if someone is sitting on the seat, creating a serious entrapment and injury risk and even death, especially for children. I reported this safety concern multiple times to the selling dealer (Hyundai of Kirkland), but they stated they could not disable the auto-fold function or provide a fix. Hyundai has now issued Recall 296 related to this defect after a reported child fatality, which confirms the safety risk I previously raised. I purchased this vehicle to transport my newborn child and this defect creates a severe safety hazard. I am filing this complaint to document the issue and the lack of a timely remedy.
After 4 days of parking in the garage due to my travel , when came back and tried to start the car it was completely dead. Couldn’t do anything so Hyundai road assistance cane and had to jumpstart the car . Since then dash cam is not working at all and also car is having wierd sound. Hybrid system is just giving me only 15GPM but the car should have around 29 -30 MPG. Car is very new bought in oct 28th 2025. And only gave 225 miles. I am worried if if the battery is working
While driving we suddenly lost acceleration and the pedal all the way to the floor made no difference. It came back fairly quick, but this has happened several times. We contacted Hyundai Corporate Reference # XXXon 11/15/25 We then went to the local dealership Invoice number XXXwhere we were told they didn’t know the cause and couldn’t duplicate it. That was anlso on 11/15/25. Since then it happened a couple more times. I feel this is very dangerous. We lost all acceleration on the highway in traffic. Date we took the car in was November 15. It happened the third time Nov 14, 2025 It also happened again on December 1. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Occasionally while driving, the entire center console display screen will sshut off (turn black) and reset after a minute. I have also noticed at various times that my center console button lights flash (emergency light button and heat control) when i turn on my blinker regardless if im stopped or moving. I have videos that are to larege to upload.
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while an occupant was seated in the second row passenger seat, the contact accidentally tapped the "ONE-TOUCH" TILT-AND-SLIDE BUTTON. Despite the occupant seated in the second row, the seat continued to fold, nearly crushing the occupant. The occupant managed to jump out of the vehicle as the seat continued to fold; they did not suffer any injuries. The contact stated that the vehicle was in park(P) at the time of the failure, which allowed the occupant to reach safety; the contact noted that had a child or a pet been seated in that second row, the results could have been fatal. The contact received an email from a "Reuters" news article about Hyundai Manufacturer Recall Number 296, which the contact related to the seat failure in the recall. The remedy for the recall was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the recall repair. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had yet been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026