Problems · by component

2020 Hyundai Palisade engine problems

134 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Palisade cite engine, 25% of all 542 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
134
25% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“• Noticed a rattle sound when taking off and when the car was preparing to stop; All timely maintenance were done at Headquarter Hyundai in [XXX]. Oil change was done by Tires Plus ([XXX]) end of XXX as the car was just over 100k miles, so no warranty. • XXX, notice the rattle sound and notice the engine tremble when stopping. Returned to Tire Plus for diagnostic. XXX - TECH NOTED NO OIL ON DIPSTICK UPON ARRIVAL. CUSTOMER ADVISED TO DO OIL CHANGES MORE FREQUENTLY AT 3,000 MILE INTERVALS; NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS AT THIS TIME - INTERNAL ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. POTENTIAL PISTON RING OR ENGINE BEARING ISSUE CAUSING OIL CONSUMPTION. COMPUTERIZED ENGINE ANALYSIS. • My safety was at risk when the oil notification failed to occur, when the check engine notification failed to occur. These failures could have resulted in a complete shut down of the engine resulting in an immediate collision as I travel on the interstate daily for work.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11774132
“My 2020 Hyundai Palisade (3.8L V6) suffered an engine failure at approximately 108,000 miles. On September 3rd,2026 , while driving at about 65 mph, the engine began knocking loudly. There was no warning before this happened and the engine light had not come on. The vehicle was taken to Shottenkirk Hyundai, an authorized Hyundai dealer, which diagnosed a connecting rod bearing failure. The repair order states: "Replace engine assembly due to piston slap on front bank caused by rod bearing failure." The dealer says the entire engine must be replaced. The vehicle has been maintained with regular oil changes. The failure was internal and was not caused by a crash, impact, or outside damage. I believe this is a safety defect. A connecting rod bearing failure can cause the engine to stall or seize without warning while driving, including at highway speed, creating a risk of a crash. A failed rod can also break through the engine block and leak oil onto hot engine parts, which is a fire risk. The vehicle is past Hyundai's 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. I have opened a case with Hyundai Consumer Affairs (case # 43347615) and am waiting for a decision. The vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026EngineODI 11768975
“My 2020 Hyundai Palisade (3.8L V6) has a persistent engine defect causing sudden stalling and severe oil consumption. Since mid-2019 the engine has stalled without warning when coming to a stop, idled roughly, and made loud puttering noises under light acceleration — a loss-of-power hazard in traffic. In 2026 the dealer began formal oil consumption testing. Although 1,000-mile checks were marked 'passed,' the engine was found completely dry (dipstick showed no oil) at 2,000 miles — 3.5 quarts low on a 6.1-quart system. On 09/02/2026 the vehicle FAILED an official oil consumption test at Hyundai of Kirkland and was held for service. The dealer performed a carbon-cleaning procedure, but the underlying oil consumption is unresolved and a re-test is now underway. Running an engine at less than half its oil capacity risks sudden seizure or stall at speed. I am concerned this is a systemic defect affecting other 2020 Palisades and request NHTSA investigate.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026EngineODI 11766809
“Defect & Safety Hazard: Severe internal manufacturing defect causing catastrophic engine oil consumption and sudden, un-warned engine stalling. The vehicle completely shuts down at highway speeds, on inclines, and at stops. This sudden loss of motive power deactivates power steering and braking assists, creating an immediate multi-vehicle collision risk. No low-oil or dashboard indicators illuminate prior to stalling, stripping the driver of any ability to take proactive safety measures. Indisputable Failure Data: Between 99,xxx miles (under warranty) and 103,xxx miles, the engine consumed 5.5 quarts of oil over a 3,000-mile interval. This equals an extreme burn rate of 1.83 quarts per 1,000 miles. Hyundai’s maximum corporate failure limit (1.0 qt/1,000 miles). Secondary diagnostics indicate this massive volume of un-combusted oil is actively pushing into the exhaust system, creating restrictive backpressure that induces stalling. Timeline & Dealer Obstruction:Rusty Wallace Hyundai: Inspected vehicle under 100,000 miles and initiated the first 1,000-mile consumption test, but subsequently refused documentation and further warranty services. A corporate national…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026EngineODI 11766548
“I am reporting severe and recurring oil consumption in my 2020 Hyundai Palisade that could cause engine damage, engine seizure, stalling, or a sudden loss of power while driving. On April 14, 2026, at approximately 89,950 miles, an authorized Hyundai dealership documented that the engine had consumed approximately 1.3 quarts of oil in only 1,275 miles, equivalent to approximately one quart every 982 miles. The vehicle failed Hyundai’s initial oil-consumption test. Hyundai then authorized a combustion-chamber cleaning. On May 12, 2026, at 91,087 miles, the dealership completed the follow-up test and stated that the vehicle passed at that time. On September 14, 2026, at 95,512 miles, I returned to the dealership because the engine again had no measurable oil remaining. Only 4,425 miles had elapsed since the May oil change. The dealership’s repair order states that the vehicle “has no oil again.” I also reported that the vehicle had begun stuttering and rattling when pressing the brake and coming to a stop, creating concern that the engine may already have sustained damage from insufficient lubrication. The dealership initiated another oil-consumption test and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026EngineODI 11765325
“I am filing this safety complaint regarding excessive oil consumption in my 2020 Hyundai Palisade, which presents a direct vehicle stalling and engine failure hazard while driving at highway speeds. My vehicle is currently consuming approximately 5 quarts of engine oil every 3,000 miles. This severe oil loss occurs rapidly between scheduled maintenance intervals without any illuminated dashboard warning lights, low oil pressure indicators, or visible oil leaks on the ground. The oil is burning internally within the combustion chamber. This creates an extreme safety risk. If the oil level drops dangerously low before the next service, the engine is at risk of sudden catastrophic failure, severe overheating, or immediate stalling while in motion. A sudden loss of propulsion while driving in heavy traffic or at highway speeds places myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk of a serious collision. Furthermore, the lack of an early warning sensor or dashboard indicator for low oil volume means the driver is left entirely unaware of the hazard until the engine begins to fail. Hyundai is well aware of this widespread oil-burning defect in their V6 engines, yet…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026EngineODI 11764275

Showing 6 of 134 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.