If you bought an all-new second-generation 2026 Hyundai Palisade, you have nothing to worry about. But if you own a first-generation Palisade from model years 2020 through 2025, you’ll be getting a recall notice from the automaker about a defective side curtain airbag that needs fixing.
Curtain airbags deploy downward from the roof rail from behind the headliner and are designed to protect the occupant’s head from striking the window in the event of a side impact or rollover.
Airbags Deploy Improperly
In the case of the first-generation Palisade — five years after it was already in the market and being driven by 568,576 Hyundai customers in the U.S. — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this month issued a safety recall report, citing side curtain airbags for third-row occupants that may deploy improperly in a crash, failing to provide adequate protection.
The report does not cite any injuries yet attributed to the defect, but NHTSA’s action follows a routine Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS No. 226) “ejection mitigation” compliance test conducted by MGA Research Corp. on a model year 2025 Palisade.
Keeping Head and Torso Inside
In that crash test, the “headform” of a 50th-percentile male was able to move more than the limited 100 mm (about 4 inches) beyond the side window plane, violating the federal compliance standard. The airbag is supposed to help keep the occupant’s head and torso inside the cabin in a severe crash or rollover.
“In response, Hyundai initiated an investigation in coordination with NHTSA’s Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) and the Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc.,” the report says. “Between July and November 2025, the parties conducted multiple inspections, technical assessments, and engineering reviews. On November 5, 2025, NHTSA performed a re-test using an exemplar vehicle, which produced results consistent with those recorded during the initial April test.”
Working On A Fix
Hyundai conducted its own compliance tests starting Dec. 8, using vehicles across multiple trim levels, and some of those tests produced the same results, exceeding the 100-mm performance standard. Hyundai also provided additional analysis, including curtain shield airbag reviews and test video evaluations conducted by the airbag supplier, Autoliv.
Hyundai is working on a fix, which will be offered at no cost to owners for all affected vehicles, regardless of whether they are still covered under Hyundai’s new vehicle limited warranty.
“Additionally, Hyundai will provide owners of affected vehicles reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred to obtain a remedy for the recall condition,” NHTSA says.
Keep 3rd Row Folded For Now
NHTSA isn’t saying you should not drive the Palisade before the airbag is fixed, but owners should be aware that until then the third-row occupants may have inferior protection in the event of a crash. There is no mention that the airbag problem affects the level of safety for first-row and second-row occupants.
Hyundai dealers have been clearing out their inventory of 2025 Palisades. But if you see one at a showroom, it’s not for sale, at least now: A “stop sale” order affects all Palisades produced between April 10, 2019, and June 16, 2025.
Recall Letters Coming Soon
NHTSA says owner notification letters will be mailed out March 23, 2026. Owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460 or search the NHTSA recall portal for more information. NHTSA’s recall number in this case is 26V034, while Hyundai’s manufacturer recall number is 292.
Source: NHTSA
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