Hyundai is recalling every first-generation Palisade because a small percentage of them might have defective seat belt buckles. The recall affects 568,580 units of 2020-2025 Palisade models—which, according to our math, is just about all of them
According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the vehicles might be equipped with seat belt buckle assemblies with out-of-spec components. The buckles are located in the first- and second-row outboard seats.
The out-of-spec parts can allegedly cause “interference in the latch channel, potentially increasing friction, particularly under cold ambient temperatures.” The improperly assembled buckles, “combined with slow insertion of the seat belt tongue plate, may prevent the seat belt buckle from fully latching.”
An investigation into the potentially defective seat belt buckles began in August 2024 with the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigations. The agency began looking into seat belt complaints on certain 2020-2023 Palisade crossovers, receiving updates from Hyundai as the automaker also investigated.
Photo by: Hyundai
Then, in July 2025, Hyundai learned that a supplier’s injection molding process was “outside of manufacturing guidelines.” The automaker verified that the supplier was building buckles that were out of spec and learned that the supplier had “noted a spike in warranty claims during colder months.”
The supplier fixed the production issue in July.
Hyundai continued its investigation through August before deciding in early September to conduct a safety recall. The automaker produced the vehicles from April 10, 2019, to June 16, 2025, and it is unaware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue.
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Source: Hyundai
Hyundai says owners can continue to drive the vehicle, but advises occupants that they should “fasten the seat belt firmly into the buckle with quick and direct motion. Once buckled, pull on the belt to confirm the seat belt is fully secured.”
A defective buckle might present itself with “a lighter than normal audible “click” during the fastening process and/or a recessed push button on the buckle housing.”
Hyundai launched the Palisade in 2019 for the 2020 model year, giving the brand a much-needed three-row SUV. It became quite popular, selling over 566,000 of them through August. The three-row crossover had its best sales year in 2024, with 110,00 units sold, and sales are up 17 percent for the Palisade so far in 2025 despite a much-improved second-generation version going on sale for 2026.
Hyundai will begin contacting owners about the recall in November.
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