Dive Brief:
- Hyundai Motor America has recalled nearly 47,000 model year 2026 Palisade SUVs for a wiring problem that can lead to the instrument panel indicating that the driver side, third-row seat belt is secured, even when it’s unbuckled, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The recall involves certain 2026 Palisade SUVs equipped with Limited and Calligraphy trims, including hybrid models. The vehicles were assembled by Hyundai Motor in South Korea between May 8 and Nov. 22, 2025. All of the recalled models are estimated to have the defect.
- Dealers will remedy the issue by installing a seat belt wiring harness extension to increase its length, and if necessary, replace the seat belt buckle assembly free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be sent May 18.
Dive Insight:
The internal wiring for the driver side third-row seat belt assembly connects to an indicator on the vehicle’s instrument panel that shows a driver that the vehicle’s seat belts are buckled. According to the recall report, the wiring can become damaged due to excessive tension from the belt’s webbing being pulled, which can fail to alert drivers if the belt is unbuckled, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
In early January, Hyundai informed its North America Safety Office of an issue in some 2026 Palisade SUVs in the South Korea market, according to the recall report. The company’s initial probe found that the seat belt buckle’s internal wiring could become dislodged or damaged.
The automaker’s North America Safety Office opened an investigation that included reviewing field data and collecting parts from the U.S. market for inspection, as well as replication testing using fleet test vehicles to study how the seat belt latching malfunction might occur.
Throughout February, Hyundai and its North America Safety Office met each week to discuss the progress of the investigation, which included a review of manufacturing design, warrantied returned parts and the population of potentially affected vehicles.
The investigation pointed to the short length of the seat belt buckle’s internal wiring, and determined it was vulnerable to dislodgment or damage during normal usage. The safety office and its North America Safety Decision Authority then approved a recall on March 12.
Dealers will remedy the issue by installing a wiring harness extension 110 millimeters longer than the original length, intended to reduce tension on the wiring when the seat belt is pulled. The longer wiring harness was added to the assembly process on Nov. 7, 2025.
To date, Hyundai is aware of five reports of the problem in the U.S market, the first of which was made Oct. 1, 2025. The company is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue.
