General Motors has issued a recall for nearly 15,000 Cadillac Vistiq electric SUVs in the United States after discovering a defect in the third-row power-folding seats that could trap passengers, particularly children. The automaker has also halted shipments of new 2027 Vistiq models until the issue is addressed.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall affects 14,540 Cadillac Vistiq SUVs, including 13,629 units from the 2026 model year and 911 units from the 2027 model year. GM estimates that all recalled vehicles contain the defect.
Third-Row Seat May Fail to Reverse
The safety concern centers on the Vistiq’s power-folding third-row seatbacks. Under certain conditions, the seatback may fail to reverse direction after encountering an occupant or obstruction while folding.
NHTSA documents warn that the malfunction could allow “a person, especially a child,” to become trapped by the powered seatback, increasing the risk of injury.
GM’s investigation found that the existing system may not properly detect resistance during the folding process. During internal testing, engineers placed a 33- to 40-pound box on the third-row seat to simulate an obstruction. Instead of automatically reversing as intended, the seatback continued folding until it stopped in a position that prevented the object from being removed without manually reversing the mechanism.
While the test involved an inanimate object, the automaker concluded that a similar situation involving a passenger could create a serious safety hazard.
Investigation Began Earlier This Year
GM said the investigation began in March 2026 after another automaker announced a recall involving a similar third-row seat issue.
An internal safety report submitted through the company’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program prompted engineers to evaluate the Vistiq’s seat-folding system more closely. That investigation confirmed the potential defect and ultimately led to the nationwide recall.
The company is aware of six field incidents or customer complaints that may be related to the issue. Fortunately, GM says no injuries or crashes have been reported.
Shipments of 2027 Models Suspended
As part of the corrective action, GM stopped shipping 2027 Cadillac Vistiq models to dealerships on June 8, 2026. Inventory vehicles have already had the third-row power-folding feature disabled before delivery.
Production of the 2026 Vistiq has already been completed, meaning owners of those vehicles will need to visit a dealership for the temporary remedy.
Temporary Fix Until New Parts Arrive
A permanent repair is not yet available because the redesigned third-row seat module is still being produced.
Until replacement parts become available, Cadillac dealers will disable the power-folding function of the third-row seats at no cost. Once the updated module is ready, owners will be invited back to have it installed free of charge, after which the power-folding feature will be restored.
The redesigned seat module will automatically reverse the seatback to its upright position whenever sufficient resistance is detected during the folding process, reducing the risk of someone becoming trapped.
Owner Notifications Begin in August
GM plans to begin mailing owner notification letters on August 3, 2026.
Owners with questions can contact Cadillac Customer Service at 1-800-333-4223 and reference recall number N262555780. Additional information is also available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) using campaign number 26V394.
Growing Focus on EV Safety
Although recalls are not uncommon across the automotive industry, this campaign highlights the importance of ensuring that advanced convenience features meet strict safety standards. As electric SUVs continue to add more powered seating and automated functions, manufacturers face increasing scrutiny to ensure these systems operate safely under all conditions.
For Cadillac Vistiq owners, scheduling the temporary repair as soon as possible is recommended until the redesigned seat module becomes available.
