Cadillac has issued a recall for the Vistiq three-row SUV due to a potentially dangerous power-folding third-row seat defect. General Motors discovered the issue during testing after Hyundai recalled similar seat mechanisms on its vehicles earlier this year.
The problem centers on the automated fold function, which can fail to operate safely. GM tested the Vistiq's third-row seat system and identified a defect that mirrors the flaw found in Hyundai's second and third-row seat recalls. The specific nature of the hazard suggests the power-folding mechanism could malfunction, creating a safety risk for occupants or those in the vehicle's path during operation.
The Vistiq, Cadillac's new three-row electric luxury SUV, launched to compete directly with premium electric family haulers like the BMW iX and Tesla Model X. The power-folding seats represent a convenience feature targeting affluent buyers who value seamless functionality in high-end vehicles. A defect in this mechanism undermines that promise and raises questions about quality control during development and early production.
This recall follows an industry pattern of automakers discovering shared supplier issues. Hyundai's earlier seat recalls demonstrated that power-folding mechanisms across multiple manufacturers can suffer from identical design or manufacturing flaws. GM's quick identification of the Vistiq problem suggests the company learned from competitor issues and proactively tested similar systems.
The recall affects an unspecified number of early production Vistiqs. Owners will need to bring vehicles to Cadillac dealers for inspection and remediation, which likely involves software updates, mechanical adjustments, or complete seat mechanism replacement depending on the defect severity.
This issue arrives during a critical period for the Vistiq's market introduction. Cadillac positioned the three-row EV as a flagship product to challenge established players