Cadillac Vistiq Third-Row Seat Recall, Third-Row Seat Trap Risk, Is Your SUV Affected?

If you own a 2026 or 2027 Cadillac Vistiq, the third-row seat in your SUV might not do what it’s supposed to if something — or someone — is in its way. GM has recalled every Vistiq built so far over exactly that problem, and dealers are already disabling the feature while a permanent fix gets built.

Cadillac Vistiq Third-Row Seat Recall — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Vehicles Affected	2026–2027 Cadillac Vistiq (electric three-row SUV)
Number of Units	14,540 (13,629 from model year 2026, 911 from model year 2027)
Defect	Power-folding third-row seatback may not reverse if it hits an obstruction
Risk	Smaller occupants, including children, could become trapped under the seatback
Reports to GM	6 complaints, no injuries reported
Recall Filed With NHTSA	June 18, 2026
GM Recall Number	N262555780
Shipment Halt (2027 models)	June 8, 2026
Interim Owner Notices	Mailing after August 3, 2026
Current Remedy	Dealers disable the power-fold feature free of charge until a replacement seat module is available
Cadillac Customer Service	800-333-4223
Last Updated	July 22, 2026

What Exactly Is Wrong With the Vistiq’s Third-Row Seats?

The Vistiq’s third row folds flat with a single button press — either from the cargo area or a pillar next to the seat. The problem: if the seatback runs into something on the way down, it’s supposed to stop and reverse. GM found that instead, it just stops in place.

In testing, engineers put a 33- to 40-pound box on the seat — roughly the weight of a small child — and the seatback stopped in a spot where the box couldn’t be pulled out without manually intervening. If that’s a child instead of a box, and they can’t reach the controls themselves, that’s a real entrapment risk.

How Did GM Find This Problem?

This one didn’t come from a customer complaint first — it came from inside the company. A GM engineer flagged it through the company’s internal “Speak Up For Safety” program on March 31, 2026, after testing the Vistiq’s seats specifically because Hyundai had just recalled its Palisade SUV for a nearly identical issue. That Hyundai recall followed the death of a 2-year-old in Ohio who became trapped by a power-folding seat.

The Vistiq’s version of the problem is less severe in one respect — the seat stops rather than continuing to press down — but the entrapment risk is the same if a small child can’t reach the button to release themselves.

That’s the kind of finding that’s worth taking seriously even without an injury on record yet.

Is Your Cadillac Vistiq Affected?

• Every 2026 and 2027 Vistiq built through June 15, 2026 is covered — GM estimates 100% of production has the defect.
• You can check your specific vehicle by searching your VIN on NHTSA’s recall website or through GM’s online recall center.
• If your Vistiq is still at a dealership, it won’t be sold until the power-fold feature is disabled or the fix is installed.

What Should You Do If You Own an Affected Vistiq?

1. Look up your VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm your specific vehicle is included.
2. Watch for GM’s interim notification letter, expected to go out after August 3, 2026.
3. You don’t have to wait for the letter — call Cadillac customer service at 800-333-4223 to schedule your visit now.
4. Take your Vistiq to a Cadillac dealer, where they’ll disable the power-fold third-row feature at no cost.
5. Once a replacement seat module is available, return to have it installed and the feature restored — also free of charge.
6. In the meantime, avoid relying on the one-touch fold feature, especially around young children, until it’s been disabled or repaired.

Related article: Monsanto Roundup Supreme Court Ruling: Were You Affected? — Monsanto Co. v. Durnell, No. 24-1068

What If the Seat Actually Trapped Someone?

No injuries have been reported so far, and GM caught this one before that happened — which is the outcome you want from a recall. But if the seat did trap or injure someone in your family before this recall was issued, or before your vehicle gets fixed, that’s a different situation than a routine repair. A free consultation with a product liability attorney can tell you whether you have a claim, separate from the free repair GM is providing.

Cadillac Vistiq Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many Cadillac Vistiq SUVs are affected by this recall? 

14,540 vehicles — all 2026 and 2027 model year Vistiqs built through June 15, 2026, which GM estimates is 100% of production.

Has anyone been injured by the Cadillac Vistiq seat defect?

 No. GM reported six complaints related to the issue but no injuries as of the recall filing.

What will Cadillac do to fix my Vistiq?

 Dealers will first disable the power-fold third-row feature at no charge. Once a replacement seat module is ready, they’ll install it and restore the feature, also free of charge.

Do I need to wait for a recall letter before getting this fixed?

 No. Interim notices aren’t going out until after August 3, 2026, but you can call Cadillac at 800-333-4223 now to schedule the fix.

Why did GM recall the Vistiq after Hyundai’s Palisade recall?

 A GM engineer tested the Vistiq’s third-row seats after Hyundai recalled the Palisade for a similar power-seat defect connected to a child’s death in Ohio, and found the Vistiq had a related problem.

Is this the same defect as the Hyundai Palisade recall?

 It’s related but not identical. The Palisade’s seat kept moving even after hitting an obstruction; the Vistiq’s seat stops but doesn’t reverse, which can still trap a smaller occupant who can’t reach the controls.

Sources Used in This Article

• WardsAuto — GM issues recall, stop-sale order for rear power seat fault in Cadillac Vistiq: https://www.wardsauto.com/news/gm-issues-recall-stop-sale-order-for-rear-power-seat-fault-in-cadillac-vis/824535/
• The Drive — Cadillac Recalls Vistiq EVs Over Third-Row Seat That Could Trap a Child: https://www.thedrive.com/news/cadillac-recalls-vistiq-evs-over-third-row-seat-that-could-trap-a-child
• WSB-TV / Cox Media Group — Recall alert: GM recalls Cadillac Vistiqs for power-fold, third-row seat issue: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/trending/recall-alert-gm-recalls-cadillac-vistiqs-over-power-fold-third-row-seat-issue/WCKUUY2RBFF2VEOYFBX34PVUEM/

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. Facts verified against NHTSA recall filings and automotive trade reporting on July 22, 2026. Last Updated: July 22, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.