NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 448 owner complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. Most complaints involve seat belts (113) and engine (62). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 2020-2022 Palisade vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles. The side curtain air bags for third-row occupants may deploy improperly in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles. The seat belt buckles in the driver, passenger, and second-row window seats may fail to latch.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V607000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue.”
“Vehicle Information: 2021 Hyundai Palisade Limited (3.8L V6 Engine) Complaint Description: While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly began making a loud engine knocking noise, followed immediately by a total and catastrophic structural failure of the engine. A connecting rod bearing seized and the rod broke, punching a hole directly through the metal engine block. This mechanical failure caused an immediate, complete loss of motive power and propulsion while traveling in high-speed highway traffic. The sudden loss of engine power simultaneously disabled the power steering and power braking assistance, creating an extreme and immediate safety hazard as I was forced to navigate a completely dead, non-responsive vehicle across multiple active lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. The vehicle was manually pushed directly to a licensed Hyundai dealership 1/2 a mile, where technicians confirmed a catastrophic internal engine failure with a thrown rod through the engine block. The vehicle had a consistent and documented maintenance history prior to the incident. No warning lights or oil pressure indicators illuminated on the dashboard prior to the sudden…”
“Blind spot warning system stopped working. Then speedometer stopping working registering 0 both digital and the circle. Then all lights started going off on the dashboard. My dealer cleared codes and errors went to history but not active. When I went to drive again blind spot didn’t work and speedometer didn’t work. I didn’t drive further after that. I heard there was an issue with the 2022 dashboard cluster.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palisade FWD Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 407 |
| Palisade AWD Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 | 426 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 448 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (113), engine (62), electrical system (56). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2021 Hyundai Palisade at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Hyundai Palisade 5 out of 5 stars overall.