Cadillac Vistiq recall: power-folding third-row seat can trap a passenger, GM warns
D.Novikov
GM has stopped selling the 2027 Vistiq and is recalling 14,540 electric SUVs because the power third-row seat may fail to reverse and pin a passenger. The defect echoes a fatal Hyundai Palisade case; owner notices go out August 3.
GM has halted deliveries of the 2027 Cadillac Vistiq and issued a recall for nearly 15,000 electric SUVs over a risk that sounds surprising for a pricey family car: the power third-row seat can trap a passenger. The problem affects 14,540 vehicles — 13,629 crossovers from the 2026 model year and another 911 from 2027. GM estimates the defect is potentially present in 100% of the affected Vistiqs.
In a July 1 letter to NHTSA, GM said a person — especially a child — could be pinned by a rear powered seatback, raising the risk of injury. The company is aware of six incidents or complaints tied to the defect but says none have resulted in injury. Sales of the 2027 Vistiq were halted back on June 8, and 2026 production is already finished, so the cars already built will have to be fixed through dealers.
The most unsettling part is what prompted the internal review. GM opened its investigation in March after a recall by another automaker over a similar problem. Electrek ties it directly to the 2026 Hyundai Palisade: Hyundai had announced a recall and stop-sale after a case in Ohio where a two-year-old child died after being trapped by a rear seat. That makes the Vistiq story more than routine paperwork — it shows how a comfort feature can turn into a safety problem.
Vistiq owners should contact their nearest dealer: the third-row folding module will be disabled free of charge until new parts arrive. Once replacement parts are available, the dealer will swap the module and restore the updated function at no cost. Owner letters are due to go out on August 3, 2026. The Cadillac recall number is N262555780, and the NHTSA campaign number is 26V394.
For buyers of large family SUVs, this is a useful lesson. A power-operated third row looks like a convenience, especially in an expensive electric crossover, but any automation in an area where children may sit needs fail-safe anti-pinch protection. When shopping for cars like this, it pays to check not just range, infotainment and charging speed, but also owner feedback on seats, doors, powered tailgates and obstacle sensors.
