Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Hyundai Palisade problems

Owners filed 448 complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Palisade with NHTSA between Aug 2020 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is seat belts (113).

Complaints
448
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
20
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Seat belts113
  2. Engine62
  3. Electrical system56
  4. Visibility/wiper48
  5. Suspension31
  6. Power train25
  7. Structure20
  8. Forward collision avoidance20
  9. Visibility15
  10. Seats13
  11. Steering13
  12. Trailer hitches13
  13. Fuel/propulsion system10
  14. Air bags10

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202016
202157
202239
202352
202463
2025118
2026103

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Seat belts

113 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Seat beltsODI 11772353

Engine

62 reports1 crash1 fire
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026EngineODI 11774561

Electrical system

56 reports2 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Lane departureODI 11769464

Visibility/wiper

48 reports1 related recall
“While the vehicle was being driven, the sunroof became inoperable, stuck in the tilt position. The motor could be heard running but the glass panel would not move in either direction. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms before the failure. The dealership disassembled the sunroof and found that a spring on the passenger-side sunroof rail had broken, and that the broken spring damaged the rail itself. The dealer confirmed the failure matches Hyundai TSB 23-BD-003H-1, Sunroof Wind Deflector and Mechanism Replacement, issued April 2023. That bulletin applies to certain 2020-2022 model year Palisade vehicles equipped with a sunroof and produced before 5/4/2022, and describes the wind deflector malfunctioning and damaging the sunroof mechanism, leaving the sunroof inoperable. My vehicle falls within that range and experienced that failure. The dealership was able to move the glass panel into a fully closed, flat position, where it appears normal. However, because the rail is broken, the panel is not harnessed in the rail. It can be pushed upward by hand from the passenger side. The dealership stated the panel could move at highway speed and that…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 11760461

Suspension

31 reports
“Larsen Automotive in Pine Bluff, AR replaced the spark plugs on this vehicle recently, and while the vehicle was at the shop, I asked the mechanic to look at my suspension as my vehicle has become very rough when driving and I noticed loud "popping/clicking" noises within my vehicle's rear end. The mechanic noted that 2021 Hyundai Palisades had a lot of issues with rear suspension failure and that this should be reported to Hyundai in an effort to get the vehicle fixed. The mechanic noted that suspension failure could lead to unsafe driving, which in turn could cause harm to the driver/passengers. Upon investigation, the mechanic confirmed that the rear suspension was failing and needed to be replaced. There were no warning lights regarding the failing suspension, but the rough drive and the audible noises coming from the car started months prior to the diagnosis by the automotive repair shop. Since that time, I have submitted a message regarding the suspension failure issue to Hyundai via their website. I have not yet received any feedback from the company.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026SuspensionODI 11770118

Power train

25 reports
“I am the original owner of a 2021 Hyundai Palisade SEL AWD (74,225 miles) reporting repeated engine shutdowns in traffic, severe rough idling, and an unresolved safety concern. The problem began XXX. I first brought the vehicle to Hyundai on XXX and have sought service approximately four times since June. Despite technicians stating they could not reproduce the issue, the engine stalled again on XXX after I picked it up from service. The dealership also instructed me to complete a 1,000-mile oil consumption test. When I returned after 750 miles, I was told I had returned too early. The engine subsequently shut off twice on XXX. Documented incidents: XXX 1:53 PM: Engine shut off on [XXX]. XXX, 5:38 PM: Engine shut off on [XXX]. XXX, 5:08 AM: Engine shut off at [XXX] exit, [XXX] XXX 11:35 AM: Engine stalled at [XXX]/[XXX]. XXX, 12:30 PM: Engine stalled at [XXX]/[XXX]; check engine light illuminated. XXX, 10:57 AM: Near-stall with severe rough idling at Los Gatos Farmers Market. After further rough idling, the check engine light remained illuminated. On XXX the dealership service advisor personally experienced severe rough idling and an apparent near-stall while…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11772463
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026

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