Hyundai Recalls 600,000 SUVs For Seat Belts That Might Not Work Right
Hyundai is recalling 568,580 Palisade SUVs in the United States after regulators flagged a safety defect with the seat belt buckles that could prevent them from securing passengers in a crash.
Key Points
- Hyundai is recalling 568,580 Palisade SUVs from model years 2020–2025 in the U.S. due to defective seat belt buckles.
- Seat belts may fail to latch securely in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- NHTSA advises owners to double-check buckles until repairs are made, with Hyundai set to provide a remedy at no cost.
According to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall affects Palisade models built between the 2020 and 2025 model years. The agency says some seat belt buckle assemblies were manufactured with out-of-spec dimensions by supplier ZF Lifetec, creating a risk that the latch may not hold properly during a collision.
These faulty seat belt buckles can cause interference within the latch channel, potentially increasing friction, especially when the ambient temperature is colder.
NHTSA says the warning signs include a lighter-than-normal “click” when fastening the seatbelt, which could be accompanied by a recessed push button on the buckle. If the seatbelt becomes unbuckled, the Palisade is equipped with visual and auditory notifications, which are unaffected.
Until repairs are completed, owners are being advised to fasten belts with a firm, direct insertion and tug on the strap to confirm the buckle is fully secured.
Hyundai is preparing a remedy but has not yet detailed the repair process. Notification letters will be sent to affected owners once the fix is ready.
This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
More by AutoGuide.com News Staff
Comments
Join the conversation