The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States has initiated an investigation following multiple reports of safety belt-related problems in Hyundai’s large SUV model, the Palisade.

According to the NHTSA on August 9 (local time), 37 consumer complaints have been filed regarding seatbelts that spontaneously unbuckle in 2020-2023 Palisade models. Complainants reported that the seatbelts, while initially secure, occasionally disengage without warning or intent, potentially compromising passenger protection in the event of a collision.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) at NHTSA stated, “We are launching a Preliminary Evaluation to determine the scope and severity of the reported issues and to assess potential safety implications.”

The investigation covers an estimated 332,288 Palisade vehicles.

Following the preliminary evaluation of vehicle issues, NHTSA will decide whether to escalate the investigation to an Engineering Analysis. After these steps, if deemed necessary, the agency may require the vehicle manufacturer to initiate a recall.

This is not the first safety concern for the Palisade in the US market. In August 2022, approximately 245,000 units of 2020-2022 Palisade models were recalled due to a potential fire risk identified in the wiring of the tow hitch.

The NHTSA’s investigation underscores the importance of ongoing safety monitoring in the automotive industry, even for recently released models from major manufacturers.