Hyundai is voluntarily recalling certain Ioniq 9 vehicles over a software issue tied to the use of the motorized seats, increasing the risk of injury.
According to a notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Hyundai Motor America discovered through in-house safety testing and investigation that the "second-row power seats" in about 5,000 of the vehicles "may not respond to contact" with an occupant or object as intended.
As a result of the faulty assemblies equipped in the recalled vehicles, the seats may fail to detect a person during the activation of certain powered seat functions, like the automatic power fold-and-stow, and may continue after coming into contact with someone or something.
The South Korea-based auto manufacturer
was aware of two "alleged" minor injuries from U.S. consumers and five complaints as of Sept. 2. According to Hyundai, there have been no crashes or fires related to this condition in the U.S.
The defect is specific to 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 vehicles equipped with "limited calligraphy, or calligraphy design trim packages."
A seat control software fix was implemented as a "production change" earlier this month, allowing impacted consumers to access the remedy via "over-the-air" software updates, or by bringing their vehicle in.
Here's everything we know about Hyundai's recall, including the suggested remedy.
What affected vehicle owners should do
Affected vehicle owners will be instructed to take their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer, where technicians will "inspect the seat controller software version and update the logic for the rear power seat functions." Repair instructions will be mailed out.
In the interim, owners are encouraged to "exercise caution" when using the second-row power-folding seat functions, to make sure that occupants, especially children, are not in the seat or seat-folding area during operation.
Hyundai will also provide free, "over-the-air" software updates, when available, for all affected vehicles that have opted to receive updates via Hyundai Bluelink. The seat software will be inspected and updated over-the-air or by a dealer as needed.
Customers may qualify for a reimbursement to cover out-of-pocket expenses incurred to obtain a remedy for the recall condition in accordance with the reimbursement plan submitted to the NHTSA.
Vehicle identification numbers associated with the recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov starting Sept. 12. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on Nov. 9.
Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service team by calling 855-371-9460 or reach the NHTSA by the calling the agency's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) and by visiting www.nhtsa.gov.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hyundai issues recall over seat defect that can trap children. See model
