Hyundai has issued a safety recall affecting certain 2026 and 2027 Ioniq 9 electric SUVs in Canada after identifying a problem with the second-row power-operated seats. The seats may fail to detect an obstruction, including a person or an object, and continue moving even when something is in their path. The defect could increase the risk of injury, particularly for children and passengers using the rear seating area. According to a recall notice published by Transport Canada on October 2, 2026, the problem affects certain Ultimate Calligraphy models equipped with second-row captain’s chairs. The issue involves the obstruction-detection system connected to the seats’ power-folding functions. Under normal operating conditions, the system should recognise when a person or object is obstructing the seat’s movement and stop the mechanism. However, in affected vehicles, the system may not detect the obstruction correctly. As a result, the seat could continue moving despite the presence of a passenger or another object.
The potential safety concern is particularly serious because power-operated seats can generate significant force while folding or adjusting. If a child or passenger is caught in the mechanism, the continued movement could cause injuries. Objects left in the seat’s folding area could also become trapped or damaged.
Transport Canada has advised owners to ensure that the second-row seats and the surrounding areas are completely clear before activating any power-folding functions. Hyundai will contact affected vehicle owners and provide a software update to correct the problem. The repair will be available through an over-the-air software update for eligible vehicles. Owners may also arrange an appointment with an authorised Hyundai dealership to have the update installed. The company recommends following the safety instructions until the corrective software has been applied. The Canadian recall follows a similar safety action in the United States, where Hyundai recalled more than 5,300 Ioniq 9 vehicles over concerns involving the second-row power seats. Reports from the U.S. recall process indicated that the defect could prevent the seats from responding properly when an occupant or object was detected. The issue has also attracted attention because Hyundai previously faced a separate safety controversy involving power-operated seats in certain Palisade SUVs. Although the Ioniq 9 recall concerns a different vehicle model, the similarity has renewed questions about the safety of automated seat systems in modern family vehicles. The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV, designed to accommodate families and multiple passengers. Its power-operated seating features are intended to make adjusting and folding the seats more convenient. However, the latest recall highlights the importance of ensuring that automated systems include reliable safety protections, especially when children may be travelling in the vehicle.
Hyundai owners should check whether their vehicle is included in the recall and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Canadian owners can also search Transport Canada’s vehicle recall database using their vehicle identification number (VIN). The company is expected to address the issue through the software update, but until the repair is completed, drivers are advised to keep the second-row seats unoccupied and ensure that no person or object is in the movement area whenever the power-folding function is activated.