2021 Hyundai Palisade
The Verdict
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has 410 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (284 complaints) and engine (52 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 34/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Hyundai Palisade, consider the 2025 model year which has 45% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2025 has 45% fewer complaints
View the 2025 Hyundai Palisade dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may operate intermittently or fail to operate due to snow or ice buildup on the windshi...
Risk
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyun...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Palisade vehicles. The brake fluid may be contaminated, which can cause the brake master cylinder inner-cup seals to swell, and reduce bra...
Risk
Reduced braking performance can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, and flush the brake fluid, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
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Complaints
On XXX, after leaving an appointment at an office building, I returned to my vehicle and noticed that the driver’s seat recline function was not working properly. The seat was already pushed forward to its highest position and would not recline further. I was still able to enter and operate the vehicle somewhat but remained parked. I reviewed Hyundai resources to see whether there was an update or known issue related to the seat concern. When I could not resolve the issue through available resources, I contacted the Hyundai dealership in Henderson. I provided my information and explained that the driver’s seat recline function was not working. I was transferred to Hyundai Customer Service. During that call, I explained that I was approximately 15 minutes away from the dealership and requested repair of the issue regardless of warranty status because I considered it a safety concern. This never happened before at all. While I was speaking with the Hyundai Customer Service representative, the driver’s seat moved again unexpectedly. As a result, I moved forward toward the steering wheel area. After that movement, the vehicle rolled or moved forward and contacted the rear of another vehicle. After the collision, the driver’s seat recline function still was not operating properly. I documented the condition with video evidence, and two witnesses observed the vehicle and the seat condition after the collision. When I contacted Hyundai, I was very upset to learn that the call I had with the customer service representative was not documented anywhere. Also, no one contacted me although I was in distress, crying, and in the accident and the customer service representative knew this. There was no aid or phone call follow ups to me by Hyundai customer care at all. Hyundai Motor America opened a case investigation and instructed me not to perform repairs at this time so the vehicle could be preserved for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The manufacturer has failed to remedy this safety recall in a timely manner, I have been waiting since January 2026 for the new parts and it is July with no expected date of seat belts availability.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the power steering failed, several warning lights illuminated, and the engine suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred two days later. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed alternator. The contact paid for the alternator replacement out of pocket. The contact stated that while at a complete stop recently, the brake pedal would travel to the floorboard when depressed, causing the vehicle to shudder. The vehicle would only resume normal operation after the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, but had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Vehicle Incident Statement – 2021 Hyundai Palisade Driver/Owner: [Your Name] Vehicle: 2021 Hyundai Palisade Date of Incident: [Insert Date] Location: Restaurant drive-thru (vehicle stopped in line) Summary of Incident On the date listed above, I was stopped in a restaurant drive-thru lane with the vehicle in drive and Auto Hold engaged. The vehicle had recently had a battery replacement performed at a Hyundai dealership on the day prior to the incident (repair order available). While stopped, I pressed the accelerator to move forward in the drive-thru line. The vehicle did not respond immediately. There was a brief delay, followed by a sudden and unexpected surge of acceleration. Vehicle Behavior The vehicle accelerated rapidly after a short delay in response to accelerator input The brake pedal felt normal when pressed Applying the brake did not appear to slow or stop the vehicle effectively The vehicle continued moving forward and struck another vehicle Additional Relevant Information The Idle Stop & Go (auto start/stop) system had not been functioning for approximately one year prior to the incident On the day of the incident (after battery replacement), the auto start/stop system began functioning again unexpectedly The vehicle had no known prior issues with unintended acceleration No floor mat or physical obstruction was present affecting the accelerator pedal (to the best of my knowledge) Vehicle Condition The vehicle has not yet been repaired or inspected and is currently being held pending evaluation. I am requesting that all diagnostic data, including vehicle event data recorder (EDR) information and control module logs, be preserved and reviewed. Request I am requesting a full diagnostic and safety review of the vehicle’s electronic throttle, braking, and Auto Hold systems, including any stored fault codes and event data. Check engine light was on for a week prior to service at dealership and dealership told me they could not service it at that time.
Driving my car one morning and the brakes went out. Pedal went all the way to the floor. I had to engage the emergency brake to stop.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front row and second row seat belt buckles independently unlatched. The failure occurred on several different occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (Seat Belts) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. A dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy for the recall was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
My moonroof spontaneously exploded
I am reporting a severe, life-threatening mechanical component failure of the front passenger seatbelt assembly on a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. While the vehicle was completely parked, stationary, turned off, and with the ignition keys removed, the front passenger seatbelt experienced a catastrophic static lockup. The occupant had reclined the seat, and the seatbelt accidentally became wrapped around their neck. The seatbelt was never inserted into its buckle receptacle, and the webbing was never fully pulled out to its maximum extension to intentionally engage the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode. Despite no rapid deceleration, extreme cabin angles, or full extension, the retractor assembly falsely engaged a permanent, one-way ratcheting lock. With every minor movement or breath by the occupant, the mechanism tightened further around their neck and completely refused to release tension. Because the physical obstruction of the occupant's body prevented the belt from retracting fully into the B-pillar to reset the mechanism, the occupant was actively choking. Time became critical, and the decision was made to physically cut the seatbelt webbing to prevent imminent asphyxiation. Because this life-threatening locking loop was triggered by a mechanical failure of a primary safety component—systemically linked to active safety recalls on this vehicle's pretensioner/seatbelt system—I am requesting a formal safety investigation. I demand that Hyundai Motor America issue a corporate variance to fully replace this cut seatbelt assembly at no cost. The failed physical components have been preserved for engineering inspection.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V034000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I am submitting a safety complaint regarding the panoramic sunroof assembly on my 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The vehicle was purchased as a Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned vehicle in September 2023 with approximately 27,000 miles. The panoramic sunroof had only been opened approximately two or three times since purchase when the failure occurred. During normal operation, the sunroof wind deflector/visor malfunctioned and jammed inside the mechanism. This caused the pulleys and track assembly to bind and pull the glass panel out of position, damaging and breaking the sunroof track/mechanism. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a broken sunroof track/mechanism assembly requiring extensive repair estimated at approximately $4,000. This failure appears to directly match Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 23-BD-003H-1, which acknowledges that the sunroof wind deflector may malfunction and damage the sunroof mechanism on 2020–2022 Hyundai Palisade vehicles. Hyundai issued this bulletin before I purchased the vehicle as Certified Pre-Owned. My concern is that this is a known recurring mechanical defect involving the panoramic roof assembly that could create a safety hazard if the mechanism jams, detaches components, shifts the glass panel unexpectedly, or causes the roof to fail while driving. The failure also caused the panoramic sunroof to become stuck open while driving. This created excessive rattling and vibration noise at highway speeds, which was distracting during vehicle operation and raised concerns about the stability of the sunroof assembly while in motion. Because the roof could not be properly closed or secured, the defect also exposed the interior of the vehicle to possible rain intrusion and additional electrical or interior damage. The sunroof was not abused or damaged externally. The failure occurred during ordinary use and after very limited operation of the sunroof since purchase.
I am writing to formally request reconsideration of Hyundai’s denial of assistance for the transmission failure in my 2021 Hyundai Palisade. I purchased this vehicle with the expectation that Hyundai vehicles are built to provide dependable transportation and that major components such as the transmission would last well beyond the current mileage and age of the vehicle. Unfortunately, I have experienced a significant transmission failure that has resulted in substantial repair costs. I have made every effort to properly maintain this vehicle and have acted responsibly as an owner. Given the relatively recent model year of the vehicle, I believe a transmission failure of this magnitude is unreasonable and may indicate a defect in materials or workmanship. I respectfully request that Hyundai review my case again and consider providing goodwill assistance, cost-sharing, or full coverage of the transmission repair. As a long-time consumer, I am extremely disappointed with the current outcome and hope Hyundai will stand behind its product. I would appreciate a written response explaining the reason for the denial and any options available for further review.
Pressed button to open glass sunroof and glass panel crookedly began opening with one side opening farther than the other until it stopped midway with a loud grinding noise. It stopped crooked in the tracks. It would not open. It would not completely close and the rear was left protruding above the roof line. There was nothing holding the back of the glass panel to the tracks. I could lift the back freely. A strong gust of wind or a passing truck could lift the panel. If the glass panel were to separate from the vehicle, a displaced panel could increase the potential of a crash or injury to other road users. I did not feel it was safe to drive it on the highway and took it to the Hyundai dealer where it sat until repaired on 4/7/2026 with redesigned deflector attachments, carriage bars and driving wedges. Hyundai TSB 23-BD-003H-1 describes this cascading failure of the defective air deflector breaking apart and damaging the sunroof tracks and specifies redesigned parts but fails to take in consideration that the glass panel is not held firmly in place once the connection between panel and tracks have failed. Prior to the sunroof’s failure I was unaware that a TBS had been issued. I had only opened the sunroof about a dozen times and received no warning of the failure. Subaru has issued a vehicle recall 26V346 which also results in a loose glass roof as a recognized safety risk including crash, fire, health, injury. Please encourage Hyundai to recognize the safety risk of a potential crash or injury to other road users of a loose glass sunroof as Subaru has and not as a warranty issue.
The digital instrument cluster on my 2021 Hyundai Palisade completely and intermittently fails while the vehicle is in motion, dropping the speedometer, fuel gauge, and all safety indicators to zero. The system also issues erroneous audio warnings such as 'wrong way driving detected' while the cluster is blank. I have documented this severe safety hazard on video multiple times over the last 14 months and provided the footage to Dublin Hyundai. Despite three separate dealership visits (April 2025, June 2025, and June 2026), the dealership refuses to repair the vehicle stating they cannot replicate the issue and dismissing my video evidence. This mirrors the exact manufacturing defect outlined in Hyundai Safety Recall 230 (NHTSA Campaign 22V353) for the 2022 Palisade. I am requesting an investigation to expand Recall 230 to the 2021 model year, as driving without a speedometer or warning lights is a life-threatening safety defect.
We purchased our palisade in October of 2020 brand new from the dealer. On march 5th 2021 @ 7946 miles on the car we took it in to the dealer because the passenger rear seatbelt had released on its own when braking hard with a child buckled in a booster seat. They said they could not verify the problem. Then again on April 22 2022 @ 37,924 miles we again took the palisade back in because the driver rear middle row seat was showing buckled but it was not buckled and upon wiggling the seat belt it was turning on and off and not buckling. At that time they found the middle row left seat belt buckle not latching intermediately and said it was working again. Since then it has still continued to come unbuckled to this day. I have recently received from Hyundai a National safety recall about the issue and it's going back in for a third time now to resolve the issue. As of currently they will not be able to fix the issue because they do not have the parts and do not have an estimate of when they will be available. I also received a new National safety recall for the side curtain airbags in the third row not to the standards and are a safety concern. This vehicle has been a safety concern from the day I drove it off the lot and thank god only that we are good drivers we did not get into a accident the many many times we have been in the vehicle full of people as it could have been catastrophic and even have cause multiple possible deaths due to the failure of these different equipment during a accident. At this time this vehicle is not safe for my family to be in.
My Hyundai Palisade was bought brand new in 2020. It currently has 131,500 miles on it. I noticed at around 110,000 miles that my oil was getting low before each oil change. I check my oil frequently. No oil leaks can be found. So the engine is burning oil somehow. My mechanic says Hyundai says its acceptable for it to burn oil after 100,000 miles but 2 quarts between oil changes seems excessive. Ive talked to other Palisade owners who have this year model and have the same issue. If I were not a responsible consumer and checked my oil as frequently as I do then its very possible another consumer could have burned their engine up before they knew what was happening because there is no leak just burning of the oil. This is very dangerous.
Multiple attempts to have car repaired for a year and a half with no resolution. See attached docs. Included is a letter to Hyundai, timeline of subsequent events, warranty info. Invoices were too large to upload, there are 7 of them.
Driving SB on I-35 in Texas, going 70 MPH, no trucks or other cars passing, or following behind and the sunroof glass exploded. Nothing hit it. The screen was closed, so no glass fell down into the vehicle interior.
After emissions campaign 9c9, downshifting using paddle shifters on downhill grades, engine failing to maintain speed. Does not slow car down like it did before, seems like no compression. Fuel efficiency / emissions over traditional transmission braking, forcing drivers to use brakes more often to avoid high RPMs. Safety Risk: The lack of engine braking can lead to brake overheating or fade on long downgrades, lack of engine braking can lead to brake overheating or fade on long downgrades. Above is what Google found [XXX] ) when i put in some key words. Here is what i wrote to a [XXX] . my 2021 Hyundai Palisade Campaign 9C in your article about the 2022 having the same downshifting issues after the Emissions recall was done. Have you heard from other 2021 owners? I use the downshift for breaking/keeping my speed down to save the breaks here in the [XXX] , [XXX] , and [XXX] mountains. Does not function as designed. "Loss of engine braking" " High Engine Revving" Did go back to dealer and drove tech around lot. I called back later and nothing they can do. 5/12/26 Went to the dealer again, for an appointment. Dealer service manager said it working as designed. Bull, was not that way before. He said if i don't like it, trade in the car.. He also said that I can't compare the Palasade to the other cars that have manual shifting. bull. I said Why have them if they don't do anything... Tried to explain that I have been driving for over 40 years and have always downshifted every car. This was fine until the emissions recall. Got no place with the dealer. Contacted Hyundai Corporate last week, and they should be following up on Wednesday/tomorrow. 5/13/26 Left VM for Sales GM at Bowser today where i purchase the car. Wrote above and more to: [XXX] Contacting you now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On April 22nd my camera worked on my car but did not prompt warnings - I was in a parking lot and was backing up and tapped the car behind me. It is then that I noticed no beeping on getting close to the car. No damage to either car fortunately as they stated I was going ever so slow. On April 23rd got it in to the Hyndai dealership service department and there was another vehicle in there for the same issue I was told by them. WELL..... was told there is no recall. They replaced a harness I was told and final bill was $1126.30. NOt under warranty because my car has 113,000 miles. I would be glad to provide the final billing. I am reporting as there seems to ba an issue with this and I would hope that it gets addressed and if so would like my bill of $1126.30 reimbursed.
While driving the vehicle ahead brake suddenly. When I applied the brake pedal, it felt abnormally stiff/stuck and did not provide Norma breaking response. Th vehicle did not decelerate as expected despite immediate pedal input. At the same time, the Forward Collision Avoidance Assist system did not activate or provide any braking assistance. Due to the lack of effective braking, I was unable to stop in time and a collision occurred. The primary concern is a potential failure or malfunction in the braking system occurring prior to impact combined with the apparent failure of the automatic emergency braking system to engage. This created a situation where the vehicle could not be stopped under emergency conditions posing a serious safety risk
410 total