Hyundai preliminary evaluation PE24021
Inadvertent Seat Belt Unlatch. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened this preliminary evaluation about the seat belts on 4 model years (2020–2023). Opened Aug 7, 2024, closed Dec 12, 2025 after 16 months. It led to safety recall 25V607000. became a recall
What NHTSA says
Source: Office of Defects Investigation, as filedOn August 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24021 to investigate complaints alleging inadvertent unlatching of seat belts in model year (MY) 2020-2023 Hyundai Palisade vehicles manufactured by Hyundai Motor America. The complaints alleged that, without warning, the seat belts sometimes inadvertently unlatch, increasing the risk of injury due to full loss of seat belt protection in the event of a crash. As a result of information exchanged as part of the investigation, on April 3, 2025, Hyundai initiated a warranty extension policy for seat belt buckles on model year 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Hyundai subsequently initiated a request for warranty parts returns to support further analysis by the buckle supplier, ZF Lifetec. The warranty extension (reference “Z06�) noted that certain 2020 – 2025 model year Palisade vehicles may experience abnormal seat belt buckle(s) operation.   Hyundai extended the warranty coverage for the seat belt buckle under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use. This action is valid for original and subsequent owners. On September 11, 2025, Hyundai �led recall 25V-607 for certain 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles. Hyundai explained in its recall filing that the subject vehicles are equipped with seat belt buckle assemblies in the front row and second row outer seating positions that may contain out-of-specification components manufactured by the supplier. These components can cause interference within the latch channel, potentially increasing friction, particularly under cold ambient temperatures. Improperly produced seat belt buckles, combined with slow insertion of the seat belt tongue plate, may prevent the seat belt buckle from fully latching. The recall remedy is currently under development. In view of Hyundai’s recall action, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation, but will continue to monitor the issue as a remedy is developed and implemented. ODI will take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identi�cation Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
A Preliminary Evaluation is the first formal stage: NHTSA has decided the complaints and other information it screened are worth a closer look, and asks the manufacturer for its own data on the condition. The summary is the agency’s own text from its investigation file, unedited; the opening and closing resumes with the full reasoning are on NHTSA’s site under this number.
What this means for an owner
Source: and what happens nextAn investigation is not a finding that a defect exists, and it puts no duty on anyone. NHTSA opens a Preliminary Evaluation when complaints and other reports suggest a condition worth asking the manufacturer about; it upgrades to an Engineering Analysis when the answers warrant testing; it closes either when it recommends a recall, when the manufacturer recalls on its own, or when no defect trend is found. The agency’s own goals are about four months for a petition, eight for a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query and eighteen for an Engineering Analysis; many run longer.
This one became a recall. The campaign page carries the manufacturer’s filed defect, risk and remedy, the build window and every model year covered; whether one specific vehicle is included is settled by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Model years it names
Source: as NHTSA filed themA vehicle page’s investigation list carries the same action; a name here is the scope NHTSA opened, not a list of affected VINs.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationIs PE24021 a recall?
No — it is the investigation that led to one. Recall 25V607000 is the campaign; its page carries the remedy.
Is PE24021 still open?
No. It closed on Dec 12, 2025 and led to recall 25V607000.
Which vehicles does PE24021 cover?
NHTSA opened it on 4 model years: 2023 Hyundai Palisade, 2022 Hyundai Palisade, 2021 Hyundai Palisade, 2020 Hyundai Palisade. That is the scope of the inquiry, not a list of affected vehicles; a recall, if one follows, defines its own population by VIN.