NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 37 complaints alleging inadvertent release of seat belts in Hyundai Palisade crossovers produced for the 2020 through 2023 model years. According to the preliminary assessment opened by ODI, the release occurs without warning.
All 37 reports were submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via the U.S. auto regulator's website. If this investigation results in a safety recall, Hyundai Motor America could be required to repair up to 332,288 Palisades.
It’s unknown whether the South Korean automaker has changed the buckle assembly design for the 2024 model year. We also don’t know whether the Palisade’s seat belts are different from those in the Kia Telluride, which is technically similar to South Korea’s midsize crossover.
Over time, ODI's preliminary assessment will shed light on the root cause of these inadvertent release events. Although joined at the hip, the Palisade and Telluride are produced in different parts of the world. Needless to say, many parts are sourced from different suppliers, because the distance between supplier plants and vehicle assembly plants significantly impacts the price of the vehicle.
Named after the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, the U.S.-market Hyundai Palisade is assembled exclusively in South Korea at the company’s flagship plant in Ulsan. By comparison, the Kia Telluride comes from Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in West Point.
Both were launched for the 2020 model year, with both refreshed for 2023 at the New York International Auto Show in April 2022. Three-row crossovers that compete with Ford’s Explorer and Toyota’s Grand Highlander, the Palisade and Telluride feature a direct-injection V6 hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Photo: Hyundai
There's no hybrid to speak of, which favors the Grand Highlander and the recently electrified Kia Carnival. On the other hand, the Carnival is more of a crossover-looking minivan than a true crossover. Still, Hyundai and Kia sell a ton of them in the U.S.
At Hyundai, sales results for the first half of 2024 show that the Palisade sold 53,747 units in the first six months of the year. That’s not quite as impressive as the 92,146 deliveries for the Tucson, which remains the best-selling Hyundai in this part of the world. Kia, meanwhile, reported 53,700 deliveries for the Telluride and 79,853 for the Sportage.
As part of the 2023-versus-2022 facelift, the Palisade received a meaner front end, better infotainment, and more standard kit. 2023 also saw the introduction of the XRT grade, a rugged trim level that promises a little off-the-beaten-path capability. Emphasis on a little, because this is no Wrangler Rubicon.
Configurable as a 2025 model at the time of reporting, the Palisade starts at $36,800 with front-wheel drive. HTRAC all-wheel drive is available on the SEL and above. Believe it or not, the XRT also comes standard with front-wheel drive.