Hyundai Palisade problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 6 model years (2020–2025), NHTSA has logged 2,277 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls for the Hyundai Palisade. That averages 102.2 complaints per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (index 2.43 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #14 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The Hyundai Palisade has logged 2,277 owner complaints across six model years (2020–2025), averaging 102.2 complaints per year which is far more than typical with an index of 2.43 against all tracked vehicles. While it ranks #14 of 14 for fewest complaints within the Midsize SUVs segment where the average is 53.1, the trend is worsening with the 2025 model year showing the highest rate at 143.5 complaints per year compared to the lowest in 2022 at 64.6. The most common problem area is Airbags & seat belts accounting for 18.9% of complaints, which are 5.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles, followed by Brakes at 17.5% and Body & structure at 16.8%. Owners report 58 injuries and 1 death with 67 complaints describing a crash or fire, while the latest defect investigation opened on 2026-06-09 remains open.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 45% above the 2020 and 2021 models (262 early complaints per model year versus 141).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (143.5 complaints per year) and the 2022 model year the lowest (64.6).
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Airbags & seat belts (18.9% of complaints), followed by Brakes (17.5%) and Body & structure (16.8%). Airbags & seat belts complaints are 5.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “row”, “seat”, “abs”, “belts” and “uneven”. 67 complaints (2.9%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 58 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 756 complaints versus 609 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (166). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 20 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 13 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (4), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 3 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “NU Car rental of vehicles with open recalls” (opened 2026-06-09, still open).
Every other tracked model among Midsize SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Dodge Durango, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 528 | 79.1 | 1.88 | 170 | 2.99 | 131 | 5 ⚠ | Body & structure | View › |
| 2021 | 429 | 75.6 | 1.8 | 112 | 1.83 | 117 | 6 ⚠ | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
| 2022 Fewest complaints | 302 | 64.6 | 1.54 | 106 | 1.43 | 90 | 5 ⚠ | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
| 2023 | 396 | 107.8 | 2.56 | 227 | 2.73 | 111 | 5 ⚠ | Brakes | View › |
| 2024 | 382 | 142.8 | 3.39 | 298 | 4.24 | 141 | 5 ⚠ | Brakes | View › |
| 2025 | 240 | 143.5 | 3.41 | — | — | 166 | 3 ⚠ | Brakes | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 756 · Previous 12 months: 609 Steady
Problem areas
Interior & equipment ›
208 · 9.1% · 1.02 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- sunroof58
- exploded40
- glass46
- shattered29
Wheels, tires & suspension ›
133 · 5.8% · 2.34 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- shocks61
- rear104
- suspension43
- noise49
Transmission / powertrain ›
76 · 3.3% · 0.29 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- transmission19
- vibration8
- coupler4
- train recall6
Other
75 · 3.3% · 1.82 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- trailer hitches32
- notification trailer28
- hitches recall27
- distribution disconnect30
Driver-assist systems ›
57 · 2.5% · 0.44 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- collision20
- lane17
- forward16
- cruise14
Steering ›
42 · 1.8% · 0.28 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering31
- wheel21
- alignment9
- pulls right5
Lighting
11 · 0.5% · 0.31 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlights10
- triangular3
- low beam4
- night6
Fuel system
8 · 0.4% · 0.08 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel6
- injectors3
- due3
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- row200
- seat364
- abs199
- belts147
- uneven120
- buckle96
- bumpy69
- shocks72
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 20 months
What owners report
I believe this is related to RECALL 235, Veh was parked on the street, thank god. The Palisade then spontaniusly caught fire, fire department had to be called and insurance company says its a total loss. Fire started in the rear driver side.
The vehicle's OEM wiring harness caught fire during standard operation. We had just started our drive connected to a trailer and break controller that functioned flawlessly for a year with a different vehicle prior to this incident.
Following a dealer transfer assembly replacement under warranty on a 2025 Hyundai Palisade, technicians failed to perform a post-repair alignment and left the driveshaft unseated.
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving my 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD. The vehicle has experienced repeated engine and drivability problems and multiple breakdowns following replacement of the engine by Hyundai.
I am reporting an unresolved safety issue involving the seat belt buckle recall on my 2023 Hyundai Palisade (NHTSA Recall 25V-607 / Hyundai Campaign 283).
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Midsize SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodge Durango | 752 | 15.2 | 0.36 | Improving | Steady | 18 | Lighting |
| 2 | Honda Passport | 652 | 17.6 | 0.42 | Improving | Rising | 16 | Engine |
| 3 | Nissan Pathfinder | 566 | 20.1 | 0.48 | Worsening | Rising | 12 | Engine |
| 4 | Kia Sorento | 1,382 | 36.2 | 0.86 | Stable | Rising | 17 | Engine |
| 5 | Ford Edge | 2,164 | 43.6 | 1.04 | Improving | Steady | 20 | Engine |
| 6 | Chevrolet Traverse | 1,657 | 43.8 | 1.04 | Stable | Steady | 13 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Toyota Highlander | 2,062 | 44.5 | 1.06 | Improving | Rising | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 8 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 1,968 | 58.3 | 1.38 | Worsening | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 9 | Ford Explorer | 3,122 | 65.6 | 1.56 | Improving | Steady | 70 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 10 | Honda Pilot | 2,824 | 67.4 | 1.6 | Stable | Steady | 26 | Engine |
| 11 | Kia Telluride | 1,945 | 73.6 | 1.75 | Improving | Rising | 17 | Body & structure |
| 12 | Subaru Outback | 3,749 | 77.0 | 1.83 | Improving | Steady | 15 | Body & structure |
| 13 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 3,335 | 85.9 | 2.04 | Worsening | Rising | 49 | Electrical |
| 14 | Hyundai Palisade | 2,277 | 102.2 | 2.43 | Worsening | Steady | 13 | Airbags & seat belts |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 13
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 3
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2020 (5) · 2021 (6) · 2022 (5) · 2023 (5) · 2024 (5) · 2025 (3)
Investigations
- NU Car rental of vehicles with open recalls Open
NHTSA is opening this Audit Query (AQ) to investigate NU Car Rentals (NU Car) for compliance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.The Safety Act requires that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle subject to a safety recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. § 30120(i). NHTSA is in receipt of information that indicates NU Car rented at…
- Inadvertent Seat Belt Unlatch Closed
On August 7, 2024, the Oï¬ce of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24021 to investigate complaints alleging inadvertent unlatching of seat belts in model year (MY) 2020-2023 Hyundai Palisade vehicles manufactured by Hyundai Motor America. The complaints alleged that, without warning, the seat belts sometimes inadvertently unlatch, increasing the risk of injury due to full loss of seat belt prot…
- Windshield Wiper Failure Closed
On August 15, 2022, Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) filed a safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-627) of 122,919 model year (MY) 2020-2021 Hyundai Palisade vehicles produced from April 10, 2019 to November 30, 2020. This recall addressed windshield wipers that may function intermittently or stop functioning when impeded by the accumulation of snow and/or ice at the bottom of the windshield. Intermitten…
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Palisade model year has the most complaints?
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (143.5 complaints per year) and the 2022 model year the lowest (64.6).
Is the Hyundai Palisade getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 45% above the 2020 and 2021 models (262 early complaints per model year versus 141). In the last 12 months owners filed 756 complaints versus 609 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Hyundai Palisade problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Airbags & seat belts (18.9% of complaints), followed by Brakes (17.5%) and Body & structure (16.8%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “row”, “seat”, “abs”, “belts” and “uneven”.
How does the Hyundai Palisade compare with other Midsize SUVs?
Within the Midsize SUVs segment it ranks #14 of 14 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 53.1. Every other tracked model among Midsize SUVs has fewer complaints per year, including Dodge Durango, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder and Kia Sorento.
Does the Hyundai Palisade have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 13 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (4), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 3 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “NU Car rental of vehicles with open recalls” (opened 2026-06-09, still open).