NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Inadvertent Seat Belt Unlatch in 2021-2023 Hyundai Palisade (PE24-021)
Opened August 7, 2024 · Hyundai Motor America
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE24-021) on August 7, 2024 into inadvertent seat belt unlatch in 2021-2023 Hyundai Palisade. The investigation is closed on December 12, 2025 and led to recall 25V607000.
PE24-021 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE24-021 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | August 7, 2024 |
| Status | Closed December 12, 2025 |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Hyundai Palisade |
| Component | Seat Belts |
| Manufacturer | Hyundai Motor America |
| Resulting recall | 25V607000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Hyundai Palisade?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On August 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24021 to investigate complaints alleging inadvertent unlatching of seat belts in model year (MY) 2020-2023 Hyundai Palisade vehicles manufactured by Hyundai Motor America.
The complaints alleged that, without warning, the seat belts sometimes inadvertently unlatch, increasing the risk of injury due to full loss of seat belt protection in the event of a crash.
As a result of information exchanged as part of the investigation, on April 3, 2025, Hyundai initiated a warranty extension policy for seat belt buckles on model year 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.
Hyundai subsequently initiated a request for warranty parts returns to support further analysis by the buckle supplier, ZF Lifetec.
The warranty extension (reference "Z06") noted that certain 2020 – 2025 model year Palisade vehicles may experience abnormal seat belt buckle(s) operation.
Hyundai extended the warranty coverage for the seat belt buckle under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use.
This action is valid for original and subsequent owners.
On September 11, 2025, Hyundai filed recall 25V-607 for certain 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles.
Hyundai explained in its recall filing that the subject vehicles are equipped with seat belt buckle assemblies in the front row and second row outer seating positions that may contain out-of-specification components manufactured by the supplier.
These components can cause interference within the latch channel, potentially increasing friction, particularly under cold ambient temperatures.
Improperly produced seat belt buckles, combined with slow insertion of the seat belt tongue plate, may prevent the seat belt buckle from fully latching.
The recall remedy is currently under development.
In view of Hyundai's recall action, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation, but will continue to monitor the issue as a remedy is developed and implemented.
ODI will take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 25V607000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2025 Hyundai Palisade Seat Belt Buckle Recall (25V607).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Hyundai | Palisade |
What are Hyundai Palisade owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 1,143 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Seat Belt Buckle Recall (26V169)
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Seat Power Seat Recall (26V160)
- 2025-2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Instrument Cluster Recall (26V047)
- 2021-2025 Hyundai Palisade Curtain Air Bag Recall (26V034)
- 2021-2025 Hyundai Palisade Seat Belt Buckle Recall (25V607)
- 2025 Hyundai Palisade Drivetrain Pump Recall (25V291)
- 2024 Hyundai Palisade Engine Recall (24V106)
- 2024 Hyundai Palisade Passenger Air Bag Recall (23V599)
- 2023-2024 Hyundai Palisade Drivetrain Pump Recall (23V526)
- 2023 Hyundai Palisade Brake Power Assist Recall (23V415)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.