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Hyundai Motor Company has paused sales of certain 2026 Palisade SUVs and announced a recall following a tragic incident involving a 2-year-old girl in Ohio.

The child died on March 7 in an accident linked to the SUV's power-folding seats, which may fail to detect contact with an occupant or object.

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

The recall affects approximately 68,500 vehicles, including about 60,500 in the United States and nearly 8,000 in Canada, FoxBusiness reported.

Models included in the stop-sale are the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Limited and Palisade Calligraphy, which feature power-operated second- and third-row seats that can fold automatically.

Hyundai is developing a permanent repair and an interim over-the-air software update to improve the seat system's ability to detect contact.

The automaker is also considering offering rental vehicles to owners until the repair is fully implemented.

"Hyundai's top priority is the safety of its customers, and additional details regarding the interim software update and final recall repair will be provided as they become available," the company said.

Hyundai Warns Palisade Owners

In the meantime, Hyundai urges owners to take precautions when using the second- and third-row power seats.

"Ensure no person or object, including children, is in the seat or seat-folding area before operating the power seat," the automaker advised.

Owners should also avoid pressing the seatback button during entry or exit.

The Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV and a popular three-row model, has drawn attention for its 2026 redesign.

The Limited and Calligraphy trims, equipped with power-folding seats, are now under scrutiny as the company works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the recall.

According to USA Today, Hyundai emphasized that the over-the-air software update, expected by the end of March, is a temporary safety measure and does not replace the full recall repair.

Owners can contact Hyundai's customer assistance center with questions or concerns regarding the recall.