Two of America’s most popular family SUVs, the Toyota Highlander and the Hyundai Palisade, had recall alerts released in March 2026 regarding their second-row seats. Both involve seat issues that can fail to protect the people sitting in them, but the specifics of each recall differ. One is primarily a precautionary recall for an engineering issue that has no reported injuries, whereas the other involves a more serious safety concern connected to an unfortunate fatality.

Learn everything you need to know if you or someone you know owns either one of these vehicle models.

Toyota Highlander: When a Seat Back Does Not Lock

Starting with Toyota, this is the recall that is merely precautionary at this point in time. It affects an estimated 129,236 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 420,771 Toyota Highlander models manufactured from March 31st, 2021, to November 10th, 2023. The issue traces back to a supplier design change made in early 2021 that altered how the recliner assembly’s springs interact with the locking teeth in the second row. The change created the potential for an outer clearance issue that can stop the seat from fully engaging in a locked position after adjustment.

Toyota first noticed the change during a routine inspection in October of 2023, when a newly built Highlander’s second-row seat back skipped the first recline position and locked into the second. An additional number of vehicles were tested, and the issue was later confirmed by the automaker as affecting additional vehicles.

The issue, as detailed by Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is clear: a seat back that isn’t properly secured may not function as intended during a crash, which could increase the risk of injury in certain crash scenarios. No injuries have been reported due to the issue at this time, but Toyota issued the recall in February 2026 voluntarily.

Fortunately, the remedy is straightforward. Dealers will just replace the return springs in the second-row seat assemblies with revised versions free of charge. It’s expected that owner notification letters will begin being sent out on April 20th, 2026, with a target of having all impacted owners notified by early May.

Hyundai Palisade: A Power Seat Defect With Serious Consequences

The second recent recall issued by Hyundai related to seats has unfortunately been linked to a fatality. Following a stop-sale order in early March, Hyundai announced a recall of 20,364 Palisade Hybrid and 40,729 Palisade models. Hyundai estimates the affected production range may include all Palisade Hybrid vehicles manufactured between August 11th, 2025, and February 12th, 2026, and Palisades manufactured from May 8th, 2025, to February 12th, 2026 have the issue.

The defect centers around the power seats’ ability to detect contact during automated movements. Typically, when a passenger or object is in the path of a seat during automated power folding or sliding, the seats stop. However, the issue in the affected Hyundai model years causes the seats to not stop.

On March 7th, a 2-year-old girl from Akron, Ohio, was fatally injured when a third-row power seat folded forward and pinned her while she was in a parked vehicle. Hyundai immediately issued the stop-sell order on the vehicles and formally announced the recall shortly after. The incident is still under formal investigation.

“Hyundai does not yet have the full details and the incident is still under investigation,” the company said in a statement. “A young child lost her life. Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family.”

In addition to the Ohio fatality, Hyundai has also noted four separate reports of minor injuries with a total of 13 field claims related to the condition in affected vehicles. No related crashes or fires have been reported, however.

Affected Vehicles with Seat Safety Issues — Check Your VIN

For quick reference on whether your vehicle may be impacted, below are the makes and models by both manufacturers:

• 2021-2024 Toyota Highlander: 420,771 units; all trims
• 2021-2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 129,236 units; all trims
• 2026 Hyundai Palisade: 40,729 units; Limited and Calligraphy trims
• 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid: 20,364 units; Limited and Calligraphy trims

For both Toyota and Hyundai owners, you can check your VIN at the NHTSA recall lookup site. The NHTSA campaign numbers for each recall are 26V128 and 26V160, respectively. You can also find information directly on Toyota and Hyundai’s websites as well.

What Owners Should Do Right Now

Owners across both vehicles who are impacted may naturally be feeling a little trepidation. If you have a Highlander or Highlander Hybrid, verify your VIN to confirm if your vehicle is included. While Toyota hasn’t issued explicit alerts to avoid the second row, be aware of the issue and manually verify your seats are firmly secured before carrying any passengers. Once your notification letter arrives, schedule the free dealer repair as soon as possible.

For those Hyundai owners impacted, act now. Hyundai strongly advises all impacted owners to exercise caution when operating any second-or third-row power seat functions. Owners should use caution around rear seating areas during power seat operation. If you are enrolled in Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services, an interim over-the-air remedy is available now and should be applied right away. If you are not enrolled, contact your local dealer to have the software update installed in person. The permanent fix is still under development, with owner notifications expected no later than May 16th.

Staying Safe on the Road Amidst Recalls

The Toyota and Hyundai recalls share a link: back-seat safety. However, they represent two different situations for owners. The Toyota Highlander recall is a precautionary action with a ready fix, whereas the Hyundai fix is still under development but requires prompt attention from affected owners. Don’t hesitate to take action if you’re impacted by either recall.

After recall-related repairs, some drivers may consider an extended car warranty for additional coverage on eligible mechanical repairs. Consider investing in a vehicle service contract with Endurance. With a range of coverage plans to choose from, you can continue to protect yourself on the road after your recalls are completed.

Contact an Endurance representative at (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE quote. You can also see your price and plan recommendation through our convenient online store.