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Second-generation model of the large SUV Palisade. (Photo = Hyundai Motor Company) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Hyundai Motor Company has suspended sales of certain models of its large SUV Hyundai Palisade and plans a voluntary recall after a safety issue involving the vehicle’s power seats was identified.
The automaker said on March 15 that some trims of the “The All-New Palisade” may fail to detect passengers or objects when the second- and third-row power seats fold automatically, prompting the company to halt sales of those models. Hyundai also plans to report the issue this week to South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the U.S. regulator National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Vehicles produced up to March 11 with the second- and third-row automatic folding seat function will be subject to the recall. The affected vehicles are estimated at 57,474 units in South Korea and 74,965 units in North America.
The action follows a fatal accident on March 7 in Ohio, where a two-year-old girl died after becoming trapped while the seat automatically folded. Normally, the system should stop or reverse if it detects contact with a passenger or object.
Hyundai said it will improve safety by increasing the sensitivity of the seat’s detection system and limiting the folding function so that it operates only when the tailgate is open. Sales will resume after the safety enhancements are completed.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
