First, the Hyundai Palisade was the subject of a massive recall due to defective rear power seats. Now the 2027 Kia Telluride happens to have the same exact problem and has been added to the recall and stop sale.
Parents place a lot of faith in child restraints, but how often do they consider the seat in which the booster is installed? Typically, you latch the child seat and enjoy peace of mind, knowing that your bundle of joy is better protected in the event of an accident.
You would never expect the power seats in the back of your SUV to be defective, unless you happened to come across a few red flags shared by concerned moms. However, the Palisade and Telluride might not be able to detect the weight of a child or their booster as they fold forward, putting children at risk.
The recall was only issued after the defect contributed to the tragic death of a two-year-old in Ohio. Amid this heartbreaking loss, Hyundai has quickly taken responsibility and is taking steps to ensure this won’t happen again.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
2026 Hyundai Palisade and 2027 Kia Telluride Power Seat Recall and Stop Sale
As we’ve covered, certain higher-trim models of the 2026 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are being recalled due to a defect with the power seats following a tragic, fatal incident involving a two-year-old child in Ohio. According to Hyundai, the second and third row power seat assemblies in impacted cars may not respond to contact with an occupant or object as intended during activation of certain powered seat functions, including the automatic power-folding (stow) function and one-touch tilt-and-slide walk-in feature of the second row power seat assembly.
Basically, the seats will fold up regardless of whether something is in them or not. As a result, a person could get trapped inside. The recall includes higher trim levels like the Limited and Calligraphy for the Palisade and the SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige Telluride models. Roughly 65,800 Palisade and 568 Telluride models are included. Models equipped with the gas and hybrid engines are at risk.
Hyundai is currently working on a solution for this issue and plans to release an over-the-air update so the seats will be more sensitive soon. Later, you will need to visit a local dealership for a permanent fix. In the meantime, use the power seats with caution.
Use the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) V.I.N lookup tool to see if your Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride is at risk.
Moms Let Hyundai Know About This
Our own Scotty Reiss was doing what we girls do, and going through the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe when she realized that when she pushed the power seats button, the second row moved forward like she wasn’t even there.
She explains, “I was shocked to find that when I sat in the center row and pushed the power button, the seat moved forward. And kept moving, pushing me into the back of the seat in front of me. I was pretty shocked, and a bit freaked out; it’s unnerving to have a car’s seat push you forward without stopping.”
Another Mom, Ashley Grossman, picked up her nine-year-old, who sat in the second row of their Palisade. Upon hitting the third-row power seat button, she heard screams. The second row started closing on the child who had to be rescued. Both Scotty and Ashley told Hyundai about their safety concerns.
Power Folding Seats Are A Luxury, Not a Necessity
There’s a reason why power folding seats are only available with luxury trim levels of the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. They are convenient and helpful when operating as intended. With the touch of a button, you can fold the second row seats out of the way, allowing passengers to effortlessly access the third row. This stops kids from climbing over the seats in muddy shoes and makes it easier for those with mobility issues to get into the rear seat.
The stow function allows you to fold the third row seats away, expanding the flat cargo area in the rear, providing more space as needed. Also, power folding buttons are accessible from the front, so you don’t have to exit the vehicle, and in the rear cargo hold.
But, let’s be real here: they’re not necessary. Many cars have a strap that you pull to fold them and works just fine, as they have for decades.
Are Power Folding Seats Safe?
Generally, yes, power folding seats are safe. In other vehicles like the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, or Honda Pilot, sensors are able to tell if weight is in the seat and will stop moving if the weight is detected. Others, like the VW Atlas, have mechanical release seats that release the seat from its anchor with the pull of a tab on the seat shoulder or seat bottom; once released, they slide or fold forward.
Seats often have a mechanical fail-safe, like a pressure sensor in the seat or a “halt” function if they detect resistance to protect occupants. It’s unclear what the issue is in the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, but investigators will get into the nitty-gritty details as they work to provide a permanent fix. But car companies warn people that they shouldn’t rely entirely on the automatic stop feature. If you have power seats, sit in them and push the buttons to see how they respond. That’s the best way to ensure that your family will be safe.
