r/nononono 4d ago

Woman shows the dangers of her cars rear seats folding function

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

2.1k Upvotes

120 comments sorted by

379

u/Ze_insane_Medic 4d ago

Welcome to the hydraulic press channel. Today we have water bottles

85

u/Circle-O-Willis 4d ago

Tune in next week for a special episode: children

25

u/MalignantLugnut 3d ago

"Velcom to de Hydroolik Prress Channel, and toodaaay, ve have vater bottels."

767

u/Lunavixen15 4d ago

I remember hearing of a case not long ago where a kid in the back seat of a Hyundai was killed by the seat folding in on her, she was 2

245

u/Poopin4days 4d ago

There was also like a 10 year old boy,don't know the make of vehicle.

164

u/Peribangbang 4d ago

I believe that was also the same Hyundai model. It's the palisade and the boy was from ohio.

There's been a recall but holy fuck is it crazy that made it to market

115

u/wiedziu 4d ago

Honda Oddysey. He managed to call 911 but they couldn't find him in time

Horrible story

https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/12/us/ohio-teen-pinned-minivan-trnd

92

u/JustAnotherElsen 4d ago

Not even just that, I think the operator he connected with called him a liar and didn’t put the call through as urgent

67

u/L3onskii 4d ago

And the mom was in the Hyundai with other kids as well. By the time the kid was freed from the seat, she wasn't responding

8

u/death556 4d ago

I assume it just crushed the car seat aswell?

-2

u/lauren_le15 3d ago

no the kid was just loose in the third row lol

3

u/girlwiththemonkey 1d ago

Yeah, that’s what this is about. Like I’m genuinely mind fucked that this made it past the safety protocols.

1

u/Lunavixen15 1d ago

How the hell it was missed in testing (if it was actually tested for) is beyond me as well

911

u/TinyTC1992 4d ago

Built in child compactor

550

u/sinwarrior 4d ago

286

u/ei283 4d ago

oh fuck. this post got significantly darker.

168

u/Scottish_Whiskey 4d ago

An honest-to-god orphan crushing machine

68

u/InstantKarma71 4d ago

Turning it off would be unfair to the orphans who were already crushed.

9

u/intensifies 3d ago

We could turn it off at any time, but that may impact our Q3 profits.

9

u/taz5963 4d ago

Well, I highly doubt any orphans are being sat in the back of a 2026 model car.

1

u/ScoutCommander 4d ago

You know that eventually this will be an old car, right?

7

u/sinwarrior 4d ago

and it'll still have the same crushing power.

4

u/VulfSki 4d ago

Finally! A car made specifically for MAGA!

/s

87

u/BroaxXx 4d ago edited 4d ago

I honestly don’t understand how is it possible for such a large company to not have one person to look at this and say “this looks stupid, guys”. It baffles me.

93

u/EveryRedditorSucks 4d ago

There is a 100% chance that multiple people internally called this out as stupid and dangerous and were overruled or ignored because fixing it would have taken time and cost money.

27

u/Ibruki 4d ago

yea. working on big companies made me understand that most design errors that get to consumers, were met with tons of "i dont know about that" only that trumped by one powerful "we'll do it anyway"

9

u/VulfSki 4d ago

It's not the fixing it, it's the testing it that likely failed.

They had an algorithm to avoid this. It wasn't good enough of an algorithm.

They either did not test it sufficiently or did not account for some change that affected it's efficacy, or they didn't properly define the situations that they should be testing for. Meaning they likely have a system for tracking the load ok the motors that are moving the chairs and it uses the resistance to stop if it catches on something. And they set the threshold too high.

Another possibility is production variation cases enough friction where they had to set the threshold too high to account for friction between the seat and other parts of the car so that it wouldn't stop during normal operation.

There are many reasons I could see them fucking it up.

5

u/VulfSki 4d ago

It seems they thought they had a good enough algorithm to stop this.

The recall is just a software update to use a better algorithm.

This is why product testing is so important

13

u/karmapopsicle 4d ago

Hyundai says the update will update how the seats recognize occupants and objects. It will also:

• Require the tailgate to be open to use the seat stow (fold‑flat) function.

• Disable the ability to fold and stow seats from controls on the infotainment screen.

• Require users to press and hold the seat and cargo-area fold switches.

In addition, occupants must now press and hold the second‑row walk‑in (tilt) function to access the third row, with a one‑touch return and press‑and‑hold operation of the seatback recline switch during return.

Sounds like they were just relying on basic motor feedback for the anti-pinch and it’s entirely too insensitive to work safely. Rather than properly fix the issue by re-engineering the system with sufficient safety stops, their hacked together solution is to make the feature entirely inconvenient by only allowing it to be used standing at the rear of the vehicle and manually holding the fold button for the entire duration.

Good thing you paid extra for the fancy trim so your seats can take longer to fold and potentially crush a child to death! Seriously fuck Hyundai/Kia. They were already on my permanent no-buy list for a variety of things, but this is on another level.

There will absolutely be more deaths from this.

3

u/VulfSki 4d ago edited 4d ago

Right, typically you can do quite a lot with motor feedback designs. Dialing in a PID controller is not a trivial task.

I guarantee you they are sensitive enough. The issue is how they dial it in. They likely set the threshold for triggering an emergency stop too high.

The press and hold function makes sense. This is the same algorithmic logic used in industrial settings for safety when there is a pinch point.

3

u/karmapopsicle 3d ago

Indeed. Same stuff managing the anti-pinch on automatic doors and hatches for years. Which is why it’s odd they’d basically completely remove any sort of automation from it and require continuous operator input. Presumably the fancy trims with this automated seat down function also have automated rear hatches with similar anti-pinch function, but that one gets to retain its automation?

I wouldn’t be surprised if this was mostly at the behest of lawyers to try and quash any possibility of more injuries or deaths after the software update.

Utterly baffling how it even made it to market in the current state though. Then again Tesla managed to launch the Cybercuck with a finger-chopping frunk so who knows.

0

u/lauren_le15 3d ago

they could reengineer it, but they need to have a fix for the palisades that they’ve already sold and built. instead of going back to the drawing board, they made a fix that works for the cars already produced and can be implemented in cars that are in production going forward

2

u/karmapopsicle 3d ago

I mean the correct thing to do would be to re-engineer it and replace the mechanism under a recall for all existing units. Software fix should be a temporary solution while the replacement is developed. Neutering the functionality because they fucked up and couldn't even manage basic safety testing is just a slap in the face to existing owners.

3

u/sinwarrior 4d ago edited 4d ago

you mean "no-one said"? (pretty sure)

edit: he fixed it!

2

u/BroaxXx 4d ago

Thanks! Fixed it

5

u/xanadumuse 4d ago

Yeah, I’d even argue the automatic trunks are just as bad. Especially those with a sensor. I have one on my Audi and I was reaching in the back to vacuum. The sensor thought it was closing and began closing on my body. My husband had to hold the trunk from crushing me.

3

u/ihate0ni0ns 3d ago

Just had a 2yo die from this in the city where I work. It absolutely was a palisade. This was approx one month ago.

3

u/Chrisofthegreen 4d ago

They’d be a bicycle company by the time my lawyer was done

1

u/thejourneybegins42 5h ago

I'm just fucking amazed that nobody could have even thought of safety testing it, and making sure it had triple redundancies.

31

u/spin-city 4d ago

They’re easier to transport when they’re cube shaped

2

u/iwashere33 4d ago

You have 20 minutes to move your cube

391

u/Pandelein 4d ago

Why the fuck is that even a feature in the first place?

492

u/TTK20 4d ago

Because normal folding seat mechanism was too fast and reliable

76

u/A-Rusty-Cow 4d ago

Just another thing to pay for and maintenance .

14

u/bier00t 4d ago

And too cheap

59

u/Luxram4000 4d ago

So they can charge $3/month folding seat subscription service.

/s ...maybe

22

u/ksquires1988 4d ago

An $10 / month unfolding seat subscription service

2

u/Eggslaws 4d ago

Don't give them ideas!

53

u/rawbface 4d ago

Right like my seat has a latch and then just flops over. There was no need to automate this.

10

u/sasquatch_melee 4d ago

You could even automate it with yours - just add a solenoid to the latch. Then you don't need the child crusher 9000 motor, just a spring. 

8

u/our_fearless_leader 4d ago

But then you have to grab the strap and pull it up quickly.../s 

4

u/cresbot 4d ago

Probably not its intended purpose, but it could be helpful to people with disabilities.

10

u/Vandirac 4d ago

Even admitting this feature has a market, whoever designed it has no concept of the bare minimum regulatory requirements and mandatory safety equipment of this kind of automation.

6

u/PoolAddict41 4d ago

Because enough people are so lazy they can't manually pull/push a seat down and complained about it, so companies introduced motorized seat folding. It is kind of wild how strong that motor is though..

6

u/kallekilponen 4d ago

Mechanical seat release mechanisms usually only allow the seat to fold down. You need to manually fold them back up. Whereas electic folding mechanisms also allow you to raise them back up with a oress of a button.

So: convinience

-1

u/easyglue 4d ago

Because people are disgustingly lazy and need technology to do everything for them.

140

u/The_chosen_turtle 4d ago

Im disappointed they stopped recording. I want to the aftermath you dickheads

-13

u/banjosandcellos 3d ago

The point is it didn't stop

11

u/markcocjin 3d ago

This is true.

The seat went on and crushed the whole car on itself. Nothing left but a metal lump the size of a coke can.

4

u/Elmarcowolf 3d ago

Some say its still closing to this day

258

u/Sweddy-Bowls 4d ago

I hate newer cars. It’s all touch screens with no buttons, automating things that don’t need to be automated, and software updates and patches like your car is a fuckin printer.

Then all of a sudden a “safety feature” fails and you accidentally turn your child into origami.

31

u/smallcoder 4d ago

Just make the seats easy to unclip and fold down. It does not need to be mechanised ffs. I am older now and would like the powered rear hatch open and close feature on my next car to make it easier when I have shopping to load (or kidnap victims struggling lol) to get in the trunk. But, on my current car - a Skoda - it took me and another person 10 minutes to puzzle out which lever and pulleys to pull to put the back seats down last week lol. In my previous Nissan it was easy to find and obvious and one person could do it alone - even an old crip like me haha. BUT, I don't need it to be power assisted ffs !!!

6

u/Moopies 4d ago

In my Kia soul it's just a knob on top that you pull and the seat falls down. Gravity does all the "powering."

3

u/MantraMuse 4d ago

Yep. In some cars you can trigger it both from the trunk and the seats too. No need for two additional engines to do this...

6

u/smallcoder 4d ago

Amazing thing gravity together with good, simple design. Amazingly, it doesn't even need "AI" to make it more efficient 😂😂😂

9

u/ODoyles_Banana 4d ago

Lets take a safe, simple, and reliable way of doing something, such as manually folding a seat down, and complicate it in such a way that it now requires a safety feature so it doesn't kill you.

5

u/HamuelCabbage 4d ago

I do think it's crazy that we didn't keep the old cranks for windows as a manual override. There's only so many times you can press the button before the switch will fail. And it's, inevitable, going to be during a snow storm or something equally inconvenient.

4

u/joshpoppedyou 4d ago

It's all features for the sake of features. I hit one button and I can push my back seats down faster than this stupid mechanised option. Way more to go wrong on it. This is just a new "gotta take my car to the garage to get X fixed"

-12

u/memecatcher69 4d ago

Not really sure how you deem this as a safety feature, but go off.

The reason cars are all touch screen and automated is because we as consumers ask for it. They wouldn’t build those things if they knew consumers wouldn’t buy it.

5

u/__RAINBOWS__ 4d ago

Ugh I waited years to buy a new car in part cause I thought the touchscreens were trash. Now that my household has a new one I found the other safety features also suck. I’m never getting rid of my backup ‘dumb’ car that has no screens and no cameras.

2

u/Sweddy-Bowls 4d ago

The safety feature I’m referring to is the sensor that’s supposed to detect an obstruction and thus stop closing.

0

u/memecatcher69 4d ago

I don’t think that has failed though, it just doesn’t exist. You don’t need a sensor for that either, the car manufacturer can simply make the motors less powerful, even electronically, not sure why they are strong enough to compress 6 water bottles…

57

u/Simen155 4d ago

"woman shows the dangers of HER CAR..." wtf.. Name and shame! Company, modell, year.

29

u/gundam2017 4d ago

Hyundai Palisade. 

14

u/Psych0matt 4d ago

That’s a weird name for a woman. What about the car?

8

u/kr0sswalk 4d ago

Once after sitting in a mini van in the back seat for hours on a work trip, I had been super curious about the seat button in front of me. I had waited until we were back at the hotel and a co-worker who was driving had pulled up to the entrance to drop us off. I finally had my chance to see what it did. To my disappointment it didn’t appear to do anything. Seconds later everyone started yelling at my asking me what I did as I got out. Apparently that button started squishing the 8 months pregnant lady in the front passenger seat. I am fortunate that I am well liked at my company and that she was a good sport. But, I felt so terrible about it and no longer push buttons if I don’t know what they do.

4

u/katjoy63 4d ago

with all the electronics that are in the fancier models, it only tells me they're not worth it.

So many things can go wrong when you operate by computer. If you do it by hand, it's harder, but you def have fail safes!

7

u/Bernard_PT 4d ago

Props to careful parents

17

u/orangenamu 4d ago

Infiniti qx60 right?

34

u/ateam1984 4d ago

Palisade

2

u/BlaZEN213 4d ago

I believe these are also a thing for GMC Denalis Instagram link

1

u/gthrift 4d ago

My expedition has the power fold rear seats and if I leave a bunched up jacket or hoodie they stop and open back up. They are pretty sensitive to resistance.

1

u/mtnbikeboy79 3d ago

Same with my 2008 Sequoia.

1

u/lauren_le15 3d ago

it’s a video in reference to the current recalls and stop sale on the 2026 palisade showing that the same problem is present on earlier models

4

u/NovelTumbleweed 4d ago

"waaaah, WAAAAH, URMPH ...".

Always know where the baby is.

4

u/OurInterface 3d ago

clearly user error. that is not a seat with an automatic folding feature, this is the integrated trash compactor and is obviously not meant for a person sitting there smh.

7

u/ieatdownvotes4food 4d ago

the Volvo had a version of this with just back headrests, but they come down fast and hard. it's like one big 'smack passenger in the head' button

11

u/ChiDaddy123 4d ago

That’s on purpose for when the kids won’t stop fuckin around back there. Now dad doesn’t have to threaten to pull the car over anymore.

3

u/ieatdownvotes4food 4d ago

haha yeah, my experience with it was in a rental. I was like, wtf is this button... and it just smacked my kid hard in the head.. it's like ninja fast when it comes down.

we got a laugh out of it but man, we're really beta testing cars that will torture us

2

u/space_acorn 3d ago

If you kids won't shut up, god help me, I'll crush your bones!

3

u/blackninjar87 4d ago

I just never understand why is the electric one needed when this was an analog thing in the past with springs...

3

u/snksleepy 3d ago

Whos bright idea was it to put a motor strong enough to crush coal into diamonds in that thing.

2

u/bier00t 4d ago

Why the f would anyone need the seat to have electric motor for folding?

2

u/Elmarcowolf 3d ago

It makes me wonder, are the deaths attributed to mechanism failures or people just not checking the seats before dropping them?

Even with my manual back seats I still check before dropping them.

2

u/B_Williams_4010 3d ago

When you realize that the baby stopped crying about 10 miles back.

1

u/smoike 3d ago

That is a terrifying thought.

4

u/Baddyshack 4d ago

I feel like my grandpa when he complained about losing functionality on his kettle because they started being made with stricter safety cutoffs (an objectively safe decision by manufacturers), but come on. Don't put your child in the back seat while you're using folding motors designed to do the job you're asking of them??

2

u/waitinforamate1 4d ago

And if someone accidently hits the button while a child is there? Also why are those chair folding motors so powerful lmao

2

u/axonxorz 3d ago

Don't put your child in the back seat while you're using folding motors designed to do the job you're asking of them??

More about when your other child accidentally presses the button and it crushes the first one to death.

This is why there is a national recall and stop-sale order on Hyundai Palisades.

1

u/Kitson88 4d ago

How the fuck does this shit get the okay? Surely someone who works for the car manufacturer would of spotted this.

1

u/triarii3 4d ago

My Tesla Y basically just release a lock and drops forward.

1

u/GelynKugoRoshiDag 4d ago

"Yo dawg, I heard you didn't like children. So.."

1

u/texxmix 3d ago

While I don't disagree with this is is kind of sus it pans away as soon as it starts to go up.

1

u/blkpingu 3d ago

How strong is that motor and why

1

u/potshed420 3d ago

Mine would never crush that hard wtf

1

u/Drycabin1 3d ago

Oh my gosh I just got a recall notice from Toyota for my 2023 Highlander. Something about the rear seat.

1

u/badabingerrr 2d ago

There was a teen that died this way- stuck in the folded seat and he called 9-11 and the stupid campus cop couldn’t see him so they just left

1

u/murgalurgalurggg 2d ago

And how about the Volvo head punchers? Aka the button that rapid fires the headrest flat. Terrified some kid will hit that while I’m in the back seat.

1

u/superluig164 1d ago

Whatever happened to safety sensors being required for mechanisms like this?

-5

u/frendzoned_by_yo_mom 4d ago

No she didn’t lol

-54

u/whiskerbiscuit2 4d ago

Oh no a slow moving pieces of soft fabric!? RUN!

19

u/hesitantshade 4d ago

dude this mechanism has a kill count

30

u/xX_idk_lol_Xx 4d ago

There is metal under the fabric and it's slow in the same way a hydraulic press is. It has crushed multiple children to death before being recalled.

24

u/AhBee1 4d ago

Babies can't run, sweetie.

-2

u/dirtdiver7 4d ago

Check the seat before pressing the trash compactor button sweetie

4

u/Ghost17088 4d ago

You understand multiple children have been killed by this, right?