by Hyundai Palisade Recall Due to Seat Belt Issues
Hyundai has announced a recall of 568,850 Palisade vehicles due to defects in the seat belt system. The issue concerns incorrectly manufactured belt buckles that may not latch securely. Owners are advised to pay attention to the clicking sound upon fastening — if it is weaker than usual, it may signal a malfunction.
Problem Details and Manufacturer’s Actions
The defect has been found in the first and second-row seat belts of 2020–2025 models manufactured in Korea and sold in the US. The problem is linked to supplier ZF Lifetec, which supplied incorrectly manufactured components. Hyundai plans to begin replacing the buckles starting in November of this year.
Owners can continue to use their vehicles but should be more cautious when fastening their seat belts and listen for the clicking sound.
Recommendations for Owners
Cold weather or slow insertion of the latch plate can increase the likelihood of an insecure latch. If the buckle button appears recessed and the clicking sound is weak — this is a sign of a potential malfunction.
Chronology of Problem Discovery
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began an investigation into unreliable seat belt latching in August of last year. Testing continued for 13 months, which allowed the root cause of the defect to be identified.
Consequences and Safety
Despite 546 complaints from owners, Hyundai has not recorded any cases of injury due to this defect. However, the company emphasizes the importance of immediately responding to signs of malfunction and the scheduled replacement of components.
This situation is a reminder that even in modern cars with advanced safety systems, basic elements like seat belts remain critically important. The manufacturer’s quick response and customer communication help prevent potentially dangerous situations on the road.
