A class action filed in May 2025 is the current Hyundai Palisade braking lawsuit, and it targets 2023–2025 model year Palisades. The complaint, Maldonado et al. v. Hyundai Motor America (Case No. 8:25-cv-00983), alleges that the SUV’s anti-lock braking system and traction control system misread bumps and rough pavement as wheel lock-up, causing the brakes to release and reapply and the vehicle to take much longer to stop than a driver would expect. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and is currently paused while the Ninth Circuit resolves related appeals.
What Owners Are Reporting
The braking behavior at the center of the case shows up when a Palisade goes over a bump, pothole, railroad track, or other uneven surface while the driver is braking. According to the complaint, the ABS reads the wheel movement as lock-up and rapidly cycles the brakes. Drivers feel a pulsing or vibrating pedal, hear a grinding noise, and get the sensation that the vehicle is skidding rather than slowing.
Stopping distances stretch. Some consumer complaints describe the car taking roughly twice as long to come to a halt. The complaint cites at least 200 reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One owner reported the ABS engaging at just five miles per hour after crossing a bump, with the vehicle failing to stop and nearly striking the car ahead. Another described the pedal going hard, the SUV rolling forward into an intersection, and violent shaking. Several owners said the car lurched or surged forward while they were pressing the brake. No crashes, injuries, or fatalities have been linked to the alleged defect in the complaints cited, but multiple owners described close calls.
Owners who brought the vehicle in for service were frequently told the behavior was “normal” or that the technician could not reproduce it. In one NHTSA complaint, a dealer called Hyundai’s technical service line and was told the company could not advise on a repair.
Who the Lawsuit Covers
The proposed class covers anyone who purchased or leased a 2023, 2024, or 2025 Hyundai Palisade in New York or Ohio and experienced the braking issues described in the complaint. Three named plaintiffs — two from New York and one from California — are leading the case. Owners in other states are not part of the proposed class as it currently stands, though the underlying vehicles are the same nationwide.
What Hyundai Is Accused of Knowing
The complaint alleges Hyundai discovered the braking defect during pre-production testing and design analysis, then continued to sell the vehicles without telling buyers. It points to consumer complaints posted on online forums as early as February 2023 and to internal warranty data the plaintiffs say confirmed the issue. The legal claims include fraudulent concealment, breach of express warranty, unjust enrichment, a violation of New York General Business Law § 349, and a violation of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for diminished vehicle value, out-of-pocket costs, and the safety risk they say Hyundai created.
The Free Software Fix Available Now
In November 2025, Hyundai issued Technical Service Bulletin 25-01-070H under Service Campaign 9C8. The campaign covers certain 2023–2025 Palisades built between May 2022 and June 2025 and provides a free ABS software update intended to address the unintended activation of the anti-lock braking system on uneven surfaces. Owners were to be notified by first-class mail by January 2026.
The campaign is not a formal safety recall. Hyundai’s description acknowledges that affected vehicles may show brake pedal and steering wheel vibration along with ABS noise when braking over bumps at lower speeds, but states the brake system remains functional. At least one owner reported in December 2025 that they had to wait six months for the fix to become available at their dealership.
If you own or lease a 2023–2025 Palisade and have not received the update, you can contact your Hyundai dealer to schedule the repair at no cost. Getting the software update does not affect your ability to be part of the class if the case moves forward.
Why the Case Is On Hold
The lawsuit was filed on May 9, 2025, and assigned to Judge Stephen V. Wilson. After being transferred to align with a related case (8:24-cv-02196), the parties jointly asked to pause proceedings. On July 16, 2025, Judge Wilson granted the stay while the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals resolves consolidated appeals in two related matters, Hageman v. Hyundai Motor America (No. 24-7823) and Bal v. Hyundai Motor America (No. 25-656). The docket shows a “closed” administrative status tied to that stay, but the underlying claims have not been resolved. No class certification decision has been made and no settlement has been reported. There is no claims process, and owners generally do not need to take any action right now to preserve potential class membership.
Not the Same as the 2023 Brake Booster Recall
A separate Hyundai action from June 2023 sometimes gets confused with this case. Safety Recall 245 (NHTSA Campaign 23V415000) covered 322 Palisades built between late April and mid-May 2023 with improperly manufactured brake booster housings that could cause a vacuum leak and loss of power brake assist. Dealers replaced the brake booster assembly for free. That recall involved a manufacturing defect in a small batch of vehicles and is unrelated to the ABS software behavior in the class action.