Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2026 Hyundai PalisadeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 131 owner complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Palisade. Most complaints involve seats (49) and electrical system (35). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
131
Top: seats
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Hyundai Palisade and 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with "Limited" and "Calligraphy" trim packages. The internal wiring within the third-row driver-side seat belt buckle may become damaged and result in a permanent display of a belted third-row driver-side seat on the instrument panel.

Seat beltsReported Mar 20, 2026NHTSA 26V169000

Seats: mid

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Palisade and 2026 Palisade Hybrid vehicles equipped with a Limited or Calligraphy trim package. The second and third row power seats may fail to detect a person. The seat may continue to move after contacting a person during powered seat functions, such as one-touch tilt-and-slide or automatic power fold-and-stow.

SeatsReported Mar 17, 2026NHTSA 26V160000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Electrical systemReported Jan 27, 2026NHTSA 26V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

131 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2025 – Nov 2026
  1. Seats49
  2. Electrical system35
  3. Engine18
  4. Power train17
  5. Vehicle speed control13
  6. Forward collision avoidance12
  7. Lane departure6
  8. Service brakes6
  9. Fuel/propulsion system5

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

By model year

Complaints for each Palisade model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2020542
2021448
2022319
2023411
2024398
2025257
2026131
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seats

49 reports
“On September 15, 2026, my 2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy would not start and could not be driven. AAA responded, tested the 12-volt battery, and advised me that it had a bad battery cell. The vehicle was towed to Larry H. Miller Southwest Hyundai Albuquerque for diagnosis and repair. A service representative later told me that a parasitic electrical drain or malfunctioning component may have depleted the battery, but I have not received a written diagnosis confirming the cause. As of September 28, the vehicle remains at the dealership and has not been repaired or returned to me. I have also experienced two seat-related safety concerns. The driver’s seat moves backward automatically and presses into the second-row captain’s seat area where my child’s rear-facing car seat is installed. This movement pushes the child’s head forward. In addition, the second-row seat controls sometimes do not respond when pressed, or the seat moves in the opposite direction from the one selected. I am concerned about my child’s safety from the seat movement and about being stranded with my three children if the vehicle fails to start again. I am reporting the conditions I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, SeatsODI 11767619

Electrical system

35 reports
“While driving on the expressway the driver side door opened and I had to hold it until I was able to slow down to unlock the door and close it. I have it set to lock the door when the gear is shift out of park. Screen starting flashing and beeping.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2026Electrical systemODI 11775497

Engine

18 reports1 crash
“On XXX, while traveling southbound on [XXX], the vehicle crossed the intersection of [XXX]. Approximately 50 feet past the intersection, the vehicle experienced a sudden, complete loss of motive power and total electrical system failure without any prior warning. The entire instrument cluster and infotainment system went completely dark. All electrical controls failed immediately, including the hazard warning flashers, which could not be illuminated to warn oncoming traffic. Because the vehicle utilizes an electronic gear selector, the transmission could not be shifted into Park (P) or Neutral (N). I was forced to bring the vehicle to a stop directly in the active roadway lane and manually hold down the mechanical brake pedal to prevent rollaway. This sudden vehicle blackout and total loss of propulsion in active traffic created an immediate life-safety hazard, stranding the unlit vehicle in a live traffic lane without emergency signals. The vehicle had to be towed via tow truck to dealer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11775082
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Palisade FWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050418
Palisade AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Palisade XRT Pro
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
162219$3,400479
  • Palisade FWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Palisade AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Palisade XRT Pro
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
HYUNDAI PALISADE SUV N/A FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
HYUNDAI PALISADE SUV N/A AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 21137Vehicle 21136
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2026 Palisade questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Palisade have?

3 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.

What are the most common 2026 Hyundai Palisade problems?

Owners filed 131 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seats (49), electrical system (35), engine (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Hyundai Palisade get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Hyundai Palisade at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Hyundai Palisade 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026