Hyundai Palisade Recall: Side Curtain Airbag Compliance Issue Impacts 568,576 SUVs

On January 23, Hyundai Motor America confirmed a Hyundai Palisade recall covering 2020–2025 model year SUVs in the United States, accompanied by a stop sale order for dealers. The action affects 568,576 vehicles and follows regulatory findings related to side curtain air bag performance for third-row passengers.
The U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration stated that the side curtain air bags may not deploy as intended during certain crash scenarios. Because of this, the affected vehicles do not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 226, which focuses on ejection mitigation and occupant protection.

Regulatory Findings Behind the Recall

According to the agency, a 2025 Hyundai Palisade did not pass a standard compliance evaluation. Testing showed that the measured displacement of an ejected headform in the third-row seating position exceeded the allowable 3.9-inch, or 100-millimeter, threshold defined under the regulation.

Potential Safety Risk Identified

Vehicles that fail to comply with this requirement could expose third-row occupants to a higher risk of injury. The concern is particularly relevant in certain crash conditions, including rollover events, where proper air bag deployment is critical to limit occupant movement.

Supplier and Next Steps

The module curtain air bag involved in the Hyundai Palisade recall is supplied by Autoliv in Korea. Hyundai Motor America has indicated that work on a remedy is ongoing, with further technical evaluation underway before a final fix is announced. In the interim, initial owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed beginning March 23. Hyundai has also placed a stop sale order on 633 vehicles currently located on dealership lots, ensuring they are not sold until the compliance issue is resolved.