Hyundai Palisade Airbag Lawsuit and Recall 2026, What 500K+ Owners Need to Know About the Third-Row Defect
A class action lawsuit claims Hyundai’s recall failed to fix third-row airbag defects in over 500,000 Palisade SUVs from 2020-2025 model years. Here’s what you need to know about the recall, the lawsuit, and what happens next.
Hyundai Palisade Recall and Lawsuit Overview
Hyundai recalled 612,500 Palisades in January 2026 after federal testing revealed third-row side curtain airbags may fail to deploy properly. The defect stems from a compliance failure with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 226, which prevents ejection during crashes.
The lawsuit was filed after NHTSA issued the January 2026 recall, claiming Hyundai was first notified in April 2025 that the 2025 Palisade failed compliance tests. Specifically, the measured displacement of the ejected headform in the third-row seating area exceeded the 100 mm performance limit specified in federal standards.
Which Vehicles Are Affected
The lawsuit looks to represent consumers who purchased or leased 2020-2025 model year Hyundai Palisades with production dates between April 10, 2019 and June 16, 2025. This matches the recall scope affecting over half a million vehicles nationwide.
What Is the Defect
The side curtain airbags designed to protect third-row occupants may not perform as required in a collision, with headforms moving beyond acceptable limits during crash testing. In plain terms, the airbags might not catch passengers’ heads properly during a rollover or side-impact crash, increasing injury risk.
Lawsuit Claims
The complaint alleges Hyundai Palisade airbag defects stem from failures in design, development, testing, and validation conducted during the pre-sale manufacturing stage. The lawsuit argues the recall came too late and doesn’t adequately address the underlying design problems.
Current Status: No Settlement or Claim Form Yet
Critical update: This lawsuit was just filed in February 2026. There is NO settlement, NO claim form, and NO compensation available at this time. Class members don’t need to take action to join when lawsuits are initially filed. If the case results in a settlement, affected owners will receive notice with claim instructions.
For comparison, similar vehicle defect cases like the Under Armour Class Action, Company Failed To Protect Customer Data In 343 GB Breach typically take 1-3 years to reach settlement.
Recall Remedy Timeline
Hyundai is still investigating the problem and developing the repair, with recall letters expected to be mailed March 23, 2026. Owners with questions can call 855-371-9460 (Hyundai’s airbag recall number is 292).
The fix will be free, even for vehicles outside warranty. Hyundai will reimburse owners who paid out-of-pocket to have the issue repaired before the recall.
What You Must Know
Check Your VIN Now: Visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your 17-digit VIN to confirm if your Palisade is affected. The recall campaign number is 26V-034.
Don’t Wait for Letters: VINs became searchable on January 24, 2026. Call your dealer and get on the waitlist for repairs once they’re available.
No Warning Light: The defect won’t trigger any dashboard warning. You won’t know there’s a problem unless you check the recall status.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t ignore this recall because only 1% of vehicles might have the actual defect—all affected vehicles need inspection. Don’t assume your newer 2025 model is exempt; the defect affects vehicles through June 2025 production. Don’t delay scheduling the repair once notified; third-row occupants face increased rollover injury risk.
What to Do Next
File a Recall Complaint: If you experienced airbag deployment issues before the recall was announced, file a complaint with NHTSA at safercar.gov. This creates an official record.
Document Everything: Save all correspondence from Hyundai, dealership repair records, and photos if you’ve experienced related problems. This documentation becomes critical if the lawsuit leads to settlement.
Consider Legal Consultation: If your vehicle suffered actual damage or injuries related to the airbag defect before the recall announcement, consult an attorney about individual product liability claims beyond the class action.
Similar to cases covered in our Ford Recall Of 119,000 Vehicles Over Engine Heater Fire Risk article, owners who suffered damages before recalls may have additional legal options.
Where to Find Official Information
- NHTSA Recall Database: nhtsa.gov/recalls (Campaign 26V-034)
- Hyundai Customer Service: 855-371-9460
- Court Case: Check ClassAction.org for lawsuit updates
- Lawsuit Details: The class action looks to represent all consumers who purchased or leased 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisades
FAQs
What is the Hyundai Palisade airbag lawsuit about?
The lawsuit alleges Hyundai knew about third-row airbag defects since April 2025 but failed to address them adequately. The recall covers design and testing failures affecting over 500,000 vehicles.
Which model years are affected?
2020-2025 Hyundai Palisades manufactured between April 10, 2019 and June 16, 2025.
Is there a claim form available?
No. The lawsuit was just filed in February 2026. There is no settlement, claim form, or compensation available yet.
When will recall repairs be available?
Hyundai is developing the fix and expects to mail owner notification letters around March 23, 2026.
What should I do if I own an affected Palisade?
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, call Hyundai at 855-371-9460 to verify your vehicle’s status, and contact your dealer to schedule the free repair once available.
Will this cost me anything?
No. All recall repairs are free under federal law, even if your warranty expired.
What if I already paid for airbag-related repairs?
Hyundai typically reimburses owners who paid for repairs related to recall defects. Keep your receipts and contact Hyundai customer service.
Last Updated: February 10, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides information about the Hyundai Palisade airbag recall and class action lawsuit for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. For specific questions about your vehicle or legal rights, contact Hyundai directly or consult an attorney.
Don’t wait to check your VIN. Third-row safety matters.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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