Problems · by component

2021 Hyundai Palisade engine problems

62 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Palisade cite engine, 14% of all 448 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
62
14% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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
“Due to a known oil consumption issue the manufacture replaced the engine using a short block swap, they used the old fuel injectors and during the swap one of them failed, becoming stuck open. Now they refuse to fix it without me paying for labor. The failed fuel injector occurred immediately following a mandatory manufacturer engine replacement and poses a thermal/fire hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11770048
“I have multiple recalls that have not been fixed that are safety issues this is disgraceful I would like help from a higher power than myself to get this sorted this is our family car shame on hyundai”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Air bags, Seat belts, EngineODI 11768864
“Whatever you do, do not purchase a Hyundai vehicle. Their engines are defective. On XXX, I brought my car in for service at Castle Hyundai, [XXX]. I informed the service representative that I was having issues with my car stopping and automatically applying the braking system intermittently. They looked at the car and said they saw nothing was wrong. They charged me $940.30 for diagnostics and replacing a couple of belts and oil filter housing leak. I started having the same issue in XXX and I brought my car in again. This time they told me that my car was burning oil internally and that I would have to have a Combustion Chamber Cleaning. I was informed by the Service Manager that this was a common problem with my vehicles model year and that if was a requirement to for the Warranty people to initiate changing the engine. I paid $1,094.26 for this service. I was told to bring the car back after driving the car an additional 1,000 miles. I was also told by that service manager that his dealership changes about 200 engines a month due to this issue. I took the car back to the dealership after driving the 1,000 miles. I sent them photos of the 3 oil changes I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026EngineODI 11767049
“I have been dealing with the oil consumption issues for this vehicle for about 2 years now. There are documented complaints and a class action lawsuit in California about this issue. Bottom line, the engine burns too much oil to be safely driven between oil changes without the owner checking and adding oil. My particular vehicle is burning just under 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles. Hyundai’s owner manual suggests changing the oil every 7,500 miles, but the oil capacity is under 6 quarts. At the current rate, I would run out of oil before the suggested oil change interval. This is a severe safety issue as engines require oil to run correctly, not overheat, and lubricate all the moving parts. The previous generation Hyundai models also had similar oil consumption issues. Those vehicles had a NHTSA campaign which resulted in Hyundai being responsible to fix the engines. I believe a recall is proper given the safety concerns noted above. At a minimum, Hyundai should stand by their work and fix the issues as they arise.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026EngineODI 11766485

Showing 6 of 62 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.