Hyundai halted US sales of ~570,000 Palisade SUVs after a side‑curtain airbag may not deploy in crashes. Find out the recall facts and next steps for owners.
Hyundai has issued a sweeping recall that stops sales of the Palisade SUV across the United States. The recall covers nearly 570,000 vehicles from model years 2020‑2025 because a side‑curtain airbag on the right‑hand side may fail to deploy correctly during a collision, increasing the risk that occupants could be ejected from the vehicle.
Background: A Top‑Selling Model Under Scrutiny
The Palisade is one of Hyundai’s flagship models in the North American market, consistently ranking among the brand’s best‑selling SUVs. However, safety concerns have emerged after a series of tests revealed a defect in the right‑hand side‑curtain airbag.
Scope of the Recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified the problem in 568,576 Palisade SUVs built between 2020 and 2025. The very latest generation, introduced in 2025, is not affected, which offers a small relief for dealers that have already stocked newer units.
Despite the recall, many dealerships still have hundreds of older Palisade units on their lots awaiting a resolution.
NHTSA Investigation Triggers Action
In April 2025, NHTSA flagged a 2025‑model Palisade that failed a mandatory safety test. The test measured the displacement of a crash‑test dummy’s head in the third‑row seat area. The movement exceeded the allowable limit of 3.9 inches (approximately 100 mm), prompting a formal investigation.
The agency repeated the test in November 2025 and obtained the same concerning results, reinforcing the need for corrective action.
Hyundai’s Internal Findings
Hyundai conducted its own series of tests on multiple Palisade variants. The automaker confirmed that, in certain crash scenarios, the side‑curtain airbag does not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for preventing occupant ejection.
The company is now working on engineering solutions to rectify the airbag deployment issue across the affected fleet.
Current Status: Sales Freeze and Inventory Hold
Effective immediately, Hyundai has ordered a sales freeze on all Palisade units that fall within the recall scope. About 633 Palisade SUVs remain in dealer inventories across the United States, where they will stay until Hyundai releases a fix.
What Palisade Owners Should Do
- Check the VIN of your vehicle against the recall list on the NHTSA website or Hyundai’s official recall portal.
- If your Palisade is included, contact your nearest Hyundai dealership to schedule a free repair.
- Do not delay the repair; the defective airbag can compromise safety in a side‑impact collision.
- Stay informed by signing up for recall alerts from Hyundai or NHTSA.
Hyundai expects to issue a formal notification to owners by March 23, outlining the repair process and timeline.
Looking Ahead
While the recall affects a large portion of the Palisade lineup, Hyundai’s swift response aims to restore confidence in the model’s safety. The automaker’s next steps will likely include redesigning the airbag module and rolling out the fix to dealerships nationwide.
Consumers are encouraged to monitor updates and ensure their vehicles receive the necessary repairs before getting back on the road.