2021 Hyundai Palisade: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 354 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the seat belts, wipers and visibility, and electrical. The 10 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 354
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 urgent
- Crashes reported
- 4
- 7 injuries
One recall on this model year told owners to park outside until the repair was done.
Do not buy until you have dealer paperwork or a recall lookup showing it was completed for this VIN.
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/10 checked
2021 Hyundai Palisade: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Palisade is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21–22 mpg |
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Palisade that averages well under the EPA 21 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Windshield cracking from chips
28–8,000 miles
Rear shock and insulator failure
33,000–84,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption, stalling
86,000–90,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Seat belts90No crashes
Buckles release on their own while the car is moving, often with a click followed by the seat belt chime. Most reports involve the second-row captain's chairs, but some describe the front seats too. Many owners also say the second-row receivers sit so deep in the seat that buckling is a struggle, especially around booster seats, and a belt can click without actually latching. One injury is reported. A federal recall (25V607000) covers the buckle, but owners say the remedy is not yet available and some were never notified.
Wipers and visibility39No crashes
Windshield cracking dominates this category. Small rock chips turn into long cracks, sometimes overnight or after a cold snap, and several owners report it in the first few thousand miles. A second pattern shows up in snow. Snow packs into the recessed wiper well, the wipers sense resistance and shut off mid-drive, and they stay off until someone clears the well by hand. Drivers describe losing visibility in traffic and having to stop on the roadside. One report describes sudden sunroof failure at speed.
Electrical331 crash
Child safety locks fail repeatedly. The rear doors click through lock cycles over and over, then a "Child safety lock failure" message appears and the rear doors and windows stay usable by children. One owner reports onset around 11,000 miles, and dealers often cannot reproduce the fault. Other reports cover wiper motors binding in snow despite a recall, trailer hitch fuse removal tied to a fire-risk recall, engine shutdowns at highway speed, and doors that won't unlock. One side-impact crash ended in an immediate fire.
Suspension28No crashes
Rear shocks and their upper insulators wear out early. Owners describe popping or clunking from the rear over bumps and in turns, plus a bouncy, unstable ride, and some note leaking shocks. Failures cluster between roughly 33,000 and 84,000 miles, and several owners have had the rear shocks replaced more than once. Owners point to service bulletin 22-SS-001H, though one dealer called it rescinded. Many repairs land just past warranty, and one dealer quoted $2000. Some drivers report reduced control over bumps at speed.
Engine19No crashes
Oil disappears fast, sometimes a quart or more every few hundred miles. Owners find the dipstick nearly dry well before the next oil change, often with no low-oil warning first. Once oil runs low, the motor runs rough, stutters, loses power, or stalls in traffic, and some have needed replacement. Reports cluster around 90,000 miles. Dealers often require repeated oil consumption tests before acting, and some second owners report being denied coverage. Oil filter housing leaks and coolant leaks with cabin fumes also appear.
Transmission15No crashes
Heavy oil consumption leads to misfires, knocking, and sudden loss of power, with internal engine failure reported around 86,000 miles and beyond. AWD complaints are the other major thread. The AWD coupler fails with clunking and hesitation when pulling out, sometimes more than once, and an HTRAC warning can leave the car running in front-wheel drive only. Some owners report a vibration between 62 and 73 mph that driveshaft and differential replacements did not cure. Transmission jerking, hesitation, and full replacement also appear.
Body and structure13No crashes
Sunroof glass shatters without warning, usually at highway speed with no impact. A closed shade typically keeps the glass out of the cabin, but the debris can scratch the roof. Other sunroofs come off their tracks, stick open, and need taping down, and some VINs are left out of the coverage the dealer describes. One owner reports a deep cut from a sharp lower door edge. Scattered reports cover loose door trim, a cracked side window, a lingering chemical odor, and push-button shifter confusion.
Trailer Hitches12No crashes
Almost all of these complaints are about recall 22V633000, not hitch failures on the road. Owners got the recall notice, but the repair parts were unavailable for a long time. As an interim fix, dealers pulled the tow hitch module fuse, which disables towing, and some dealers declined even that. Owners say the wait has run too long and the manufacturer offers little help. In one case, pulling the fuse also knocked out the exterior lights. None of these owners reports a hitch fire.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Palisade owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Front row and 2nd row seat belts will randomly unlatch. I'll be driving and suddenly hear the seat belt unlatch which then triggers the audible seat belt alert. No idea what is causing this. The issue will also happen wven when im parked. I'm purchased the vehicle brand new, I'm the sole owner and driver of this vehicle. It's currently has 42,862 miles.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
Seat belt randomly disengages while in use. Has happened to multiple people, multiple times. Once every 500 miles or so since new, over 80,000 miles ago. Confirmed nothing has been in the way of normal seat belt operation. Has happened to both drivers seat, and second row seat on drivers side.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Only approx 8000 miles on the Palisade. Tiny rock hit windshield and left a 3mm pit in the glass in the middle. Within minutes the glass cracked and is now almost a foot long. After 1 search on the internet looking for replacement glass I found multiple forums of people discussing how common the cracking/spiderweb issue is, sometimes with no impact. Now my visibility is being impaired as the crack continues to spread across the windshield.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2021
My car is 3 months old and has 2500 miles on it. The windshield has a huge crack across it. It happened while I was driving. I'm not sure if a small pebble hit it or if the temperature caused it. The windshield seems very weak.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2021
The sunroof on the vehicle has completely broken with minimal use the vehicle is a 2021 and only one owner. This is an ongoing issue with the vehicle type and Hyundai is not covering the cost of repair. It is causing a significant hardship for vehicle use and the cost or repair is in the thousands. I am not the only vehicle owner that is having this issue and Hyundai needs to take accountability for this.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
When turning on the child safety locks, the doors repeat a clicking sound for a few minutes sounding as if the doors are locking. After the noise stops, the dashboard shows the message "child safety lock failure". My small child has been winding the window down since I cannot lock the windows and doors properly. I am afraid she will get a body part caught in the window or open the door while driving.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
The car is under a year old, and started having a popping noise from rear driver side. The problem was determined to be the shock failing. This was confirmed at the dealer as a known issue that Hyundai is working on. We asked for it to be documented and put on file for our car. The service technician decided to replace the part and a new shock was installed.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
Vehicle started to have bumpy ride and loud popping noise from the rear. I have an appointment at the dealership next week, but we know the shocks are leaking/malfunctioning. This seems to be a very common problem with Hyundai Palisades. The concern is replacing with the same OEM parts to have the same issue again.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2024
How the 2021 compares with other Palisade years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks second for owner complaints among 7 Palisade years, about 1.4 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Seat belts9024
- Wipers and visibility3937
- Electrical3315
- Suspension2818
- Engine1911
- Transmission1514
Where the 2021 fits in the Palisade's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the second model year of the Palisade's first generation (2020–2025).
Hyundai updated the Palisade for 2022, so a 2021 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2021)
- Increased tech features
- New trim levels
Recalls to confirm (6)
Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
22V633000Trailer HitchesPark outsideAug 2022
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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 235.
26V034000AirbagsJan 2026
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.".
Risk: Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 292. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 24, 2026.
25V607000Seat beltsSep 2025
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.
Risk: Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Passengers are advised to insert the belt firmly into the buckle with a quick and direct motion, pulling on the belt to confirm the seat belt is fully secured, until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assemblies, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning October 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated February 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 283. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 13, 2025.
23V180000Wipers and visibilityMar 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may operate intermittently or fail to operate due to snow or ice buildup on the windshield, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 243. This recall is an expansion of recall number 22V-627.
22V627000Wipers and visibilityAug 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 233.
21V840000BrakesOct 2021
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021 Palisade vehicles. The brake fluid may be contaminated, which can cause the brake master cylinder inner-cup seals to swell, and reduce braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, and flush the brake fluid, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 212.
Also looking at these instead of a Palisade?
Cars shoppers compare with the Hyundai Palisade, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
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- 2021 Hyundai Palisade354
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