The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Palisade · 2021

2021 Hyundai Palisade. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index247100 = average car
Complaints227NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold86,539U.S. model year
Per 100K sold262complaints
Year rank#2 of 3#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.8L 6-cylAuto (S8)FWD19 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
3.8L 6-cylAuto (S8)AWD19 / 24 / 21Regular$2,950

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 700 and 56,000 miles. Median 3,500, from 60 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Seat belts50,00010,000–82,50015
Electrical63,400800–102,0007
Wipers & visibility1,300200–2,30012
Visibility38,0008,400–75,3006
Seats4,0001,300–135,7005

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Wipers & visibility19%
Seat belts17%
Electrical14%
Suspension6%
Visibility6%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
445811007

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 26V034000 Jan 2026 Air Bags / Side/Window / Curtain

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. Dealers will install a protective film over the rear window and remove padding, as necessary free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Final remedy owner letters will be mailed in phases, beginning in June 2026 and expected to continue through December 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

  • 25V607000 Sep 2025 Seat Belts / Rear/Other / Buckle Assembly

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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. Final remedy owner letter

  • 23V180000 Mar 2023 Visibility/Wiper

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 22V633000 Aug 2022 Trailer Hitches

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 22V627000 Aug 2022 Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer / Motor

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

  • 21V840000 Oct 2021 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Fluid

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedInadvertent seat belt unlatch20242025
ClosedWindshield wiper failure20222023

Manufacturer communications 131

Hyundai filed 131 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Palisade SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Palisade SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2020258269111,397Wipers & visibility
202124722786,539Wipers & visibility
202222823182,688Seat belts
202338040689,509Brakes
2024416394110,055Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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