Hyundai Warned of Palisade Seat Defect Months Before Toddler's Death

A California woman says she alerted Hyundai to a dangerous power seat issue in her new Palisade, but the automaker did not act until a tragic incident.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:16pm

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A California woman claims she warned Hyundai about a dangerous power seat defect in her 2026 Palisade SUV months before a two-year-old in Ohio was killed in a similar incident, leading to a recall. Ashley Groussman says she experienced the seat closing on her 9-year-old daughter the first day she had the vehicle, and spent months trying to get Hyundai to address the safety issue, but the automaker did not act until the tragic death occurred.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of automakers quickly addressing safety concerns raised by customers, as well as the potential consequences when they fail to do so. It also raises questions about Hyundai's process for evaluating and responding to field reports of vehicle issues.

The details

According to the report, Groussman leased a 2026 Palisade Calligraphy in August 2025 and on the first day, her 9-year-old daughter was nearly crushed when a friend in the third row pressed the power seat button, causing the second-row seat to close. Groussman claims she spent months trying to get Hyundai to address the issue, including emailing the company in September 2025 to warn them it was an 'urgent matter' impacting passenger safety. However, Hyundai reportedly determined the seat was working normally after an inspection in October 2025 and did not take action until the tragic death of the two-year-old in Ohio led to the recall in March 2026.

  • In August 2025, Groussman leased the 2026 Palisade Calligraphy.
  • In September 2025, Groussman emailed Hyundai to warn them about the urgent safety issue.
  • In October 2025, a Hyundai inspector examined Groussman's Palisade but determined the seat was working normally.
  • In March 2026, Hyundai announced a stop-sale and recall on the Palisade due to the power seat issue, one week after a toddler's death.

The players

Ashley Groussman

A California woman who leased a 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy and experienced a dangerous power seat issue on the first day, which she claims she spent months trying to get Hyundai to address.

Hyundai Motor America

The automaker that received warnings about the Palisade power seat issue from Groussman but did not take action until a tragic incident led to a recall.

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What they’re saying

“This is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed, as it directly impacts passenger safety. Families, including mine, rely on this vehicle daily, and it is critical that Hyundai addresses this immediately to ensure no risk of harm.”

— Ashley Groussman

“While we cannot comment on individual customer matters, we are aware that some customers raised concerns regarding the operation of second and third-row power seat functions, and we take all such reports seriously.”

— Hyundai Motor America

What’s next

Hyundai is working on an over-the-air software update that is expected to be ready by the end of this month, which is designed to improve the power seat control software to enhance the system's response to contact with occupants or objects. However, this is not expected to be the permanent recall repair.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of automakers quickly addressing safety concerns raised by customers, as well as the potential consequences when they fail to do so. It also raises questions about Hyundai's process for evaluating and responding to field reports of vehicle issues.