[Exclusive] "Oh, Oh! Why Is the Seatback Like This?" Hyundai Ioniq 9 Recalled in Korea: 15,000 Units Due to Power Seat Entrapment Risk

5,360 Vehicles Recalled in the U.S. on September 11

Second-Row Power Seat May Fail to Detect Passengers and Continue Operating

Third-Row Seatback Folded to 45 Degrees While Occupied

The Hyundai Ioniq 9, a large electric SUV from Hyundai Motor Company, is set to be recalled in South Korea due to an occupant detection issue with its power seats. Following the recall of 5,360 vehicles in the United States for the same type of problem, around 15,000 units are expected to be subject to corrective action domestically.

According to industry sources on September 22, Hyundai Motor Company plans to conduct a voluntary recall for the Ioniq 9 in South Korea by the end of this month, related to problems with the vehicle’s power seat control software. The recall will target about 15,000 vehicles.

Hyundai Ioniq 9. Hyundai Motor Company

Previously, Hyundai Motor America announced on September 11 that it would recall 5,360 units of the 2026 Ioniq 9. The affected models include the Limited, Calligraphy, and Calligraphy Design trims, where an issue was identified with the second-row power seats failing to accurately detect seat occupants.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Ioniq 9’s second-row seats may continue to move even after coming into contact with an occupant when activating power seat functions such as auto-folding and stow (the action of automatically folding and storing the seat electrically). This presents a particular risk of injury to children who may become trapped in the seat. Hyundai Motor Company has received five related customer complaints, including two cases reported with minor injuries.

For the vehicles recalled in the United States, the seat control software will be checked and, if necessary, updated with an improved version. Owners can receive the update free of charge at a service center or via an over-the-air software update (OTA) through Bluelink. Until the repair is complete, Hyundai Motor Company advised customers to be cautious when operating the second-row power seats and to ensure that children are not seated or nearby when using the folding function.

Test Drive of the Ioniq 9... Power Seat in the Third Row Folds While Occupied

While the official recall designated by NHTSA concerns the second-row power seats, an actual inspection of the Ioniq 9 by this reporter also revealed that the power seat in the third row could move while occupied.

When the reporter sat in the third row and pressed the folding button located near the trunk, the backrest began to fold automatically. Despite exerting considerable physical resistance, the seat continued to move and only stopped after folding to approximately a 45-degree angle. The seat folded to a degree that would make it difficult for an adult male to move, raising concerns about the danger posed to young children unsupervised by an adult, who may become trapped in the seat.

Although the seat did not fold completely, the fact that the power seat moved to a certain angle while someone was seated suggests that the occupant detection function may not be working correctly. However, this test did not directly reproduce the specific issue with the second-row power seats that prompted the U.S. recall.

Palisade Also Recalled for a Similar Issue

Previously, Hyundai Motor Company also identified the possibility that power seats in the Palisade might not adequately detect occupants or objects during operation and carried out recalls in both the United States and South Korea. In South Korea, corrective action was taken via OTA for 57,987 Palisade vehicles, including unsold inventory. Improvements included changes to power seat operation conditions and expansions of the contact detection range.

For the Ioniq 9 as well, corrective action in the United States involves updating the seat control software. While the specific method for the domestic recall has not yet been finalized, considering the U.S. and Palisade cases, it is likely that improvements will also be made in South Korea to enhance the seat’s occupant and object detection as well as its operating conditions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.