Hyundai has issued a stop-sale order and is preparing a recall for certain 2026 Hyundai Palisade SUVs after discovering a potential safety issue with the vehicle’s power-operated rear seats. The action affects the Limited and Calligraphy trims of the three-row SUV sold in the United States and Canada.According to Hyundai Motor North America, the issue involves the second- and third-row power-seat systems, which in some situations may not properly detect contact with an occupant or object during operation. The problem can occur during power-folding operations or when using the second-row one-touch tilt-and-slide feature designed to provide access to the third row.As a result, Hyundai has temporarily halted sales of the affected trims while it finalizes a recall plan with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall will cover about 68,500 vehicles produced for the 2026 model year, including 60,515 vehicles in the United States and 7,967 in Canada.Hyundai confirmed that the stop-sale comes amid an ongoing investigation into a tragic incident involving a Palisade in which a young child died. The company said the full details of the incident remain under investigation.2026 Hyundai Palisade“Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family,” the automaker said in its statement.While a permanent fix is still being developed, Hyundai is advising current owners to use caution when operating the power seats. The company specifically urges customers to make sure no person or object is in the seat or seat-folding area before activating the power-folding system.Hyundai is also developing an interim over-the-air software update expected to be available by the end of March. The update is intended to improve the seat system’s ability to detect contact with occupants or objects and add additional safeguards to prevent unintended operation.The automaker said the update will enhance safety but will not serve as the final recall remedy. A permanent repair is still under development and will be performed free of charge once finalized.In the meantime, Hyundai dealers will provide rental vehicles for affected customers who request them while the company works toward a full solution. Owners are being notified through email, telematics alerts, phone calls, and other communication channels as Hyundai continues to update customers on the situation.