CSR

Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2020 Hyundai Palisade

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

523

Complaints

13

Crashes

6

Fires

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have filed 523 safety complaints with NHTSA between August 2019 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 124 of them (24%). The typical failure was reported at 4,500 miles, the median across the 163 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 121 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 67 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

26V034000 · January 23, 2026

The 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."
The risk
Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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. 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 568,576 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

25V607000 · September 12, 2025

The 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.
The risk
Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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 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. 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 568,580 vehicles across all model years covered

TRAILER HITCHES

22V633000 · August 18, 2022

Park outside until repaired

The 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.
The risk
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 244,980 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

22V627000 · August 15, 2022

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
The risk
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 122,949 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

19V802000 · November 7, 2019

The defect
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Palisade vehicles. The mounting bolts used to secure the side curtain air bags may damage the side curtain air bags during deployment.
The risk
Damaged side curtain air bags may not inflate properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover on the mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 186.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 11,217 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Inadvertent Seat Belt Unlatch

PE24021

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened August 7, 2024 · closed December 12, 2025

the seat belts

On August 7, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE24021 to investigate complaints alleging inadvertent unlatching of seat belts in model year (MY) 2020-2023 Hyundai Palisade vehicles manufactured by Hyundai Motor America. The complaints alleged that, without warning, the seat belts sometimes inadvertently unlatch, increasing the risk of injury due to full loss of seat belt protection in the event of a crash. As a result of information exchanged as part of the investigation, on April 3, 2025, Hyundai initiated a warranty extension policy for seat belt buckles on model year 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.  Hyundai subsequently initiated a request for warranty parts returns to support further analysis by the buckle supplier, ZF Lifetec. The warranty extension (reference “Z06”) noted that certain 2020 – 2025 model year Palisade vehicles may experience abnormal seat belt buckle(s) operation.   Hyundai extended the warranty coverage for the seat belt buckle under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use.  This action is valid for original and subsequent owners. On September 11, 2025, Hyundai filed recall 25V-607 for certain 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles.  Hyundai explained in its recall filing that the subject vehicles are equipped with seat belt buckle assemblies in the front row and second row outer seating positions that may contain out-of-specification components manufactured by the supplier.  These components can cause interference within the latch channel, potentially increasing friction, particularly under cold ambient temperatures. Improperly produced seat belt buckles, combined with slow insertion of the seat belt tongue plate, may prevent the seat belt buckle from fully latching. The recall remedy is currently under development. In view of Hyundai’s recall action, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation, but will continue to monitor the issue as a remedy is developed and implemented. ODI will take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 523.

ENGINE 124 24%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 114 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 83 16%
SUSPENSION 60 11%
SEAT BELTS 50 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 43 8%
POWER TRAIN 38 7%
AIR BAGS 25 5%
STRUCTURE 25 5%
VISIBILITY 18 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 17 3%
SEATS 15 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 119.

2019 2025 2026
2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed

I was involved In an accident, where the vehicle went into a ditch ( the ditch is deeper than 5 feet) and hit all the front and passenger side of the vehicle and only the steering wheel and legs of the driver airbags deployed, no other airbag deployed not the curtain airbag, not the front passenger. NON, ONLY DRIVERS LEG AND STERLING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint 11523895. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed

Vehicle was in an accident. Impact was at driver front fender. Driver side curtain air bags deployed. Car spun after impact and went into the woods stopping when it hit a tree. Front and passenger airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA complaint 11688262. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 injured · crash · towed

I was driving through town at a low rate of speed (20-30 mph) with 2-3 car lengths between me and the next vehicle. I continued through light to next light. This distance was on an upward incline. After traveling approximately 500 ft, I noticed the traffic slowing in front of me and took my foot off the accelerator to start to slow down. This is when the car suddenly accelerated (instead of slowing down as would be expected when traveling up an incline), picking up speed quickly. The car's response happened so quickly that I was unable to swerve to avoid hitting the car in front of me. I hit the car in front of me that was slowing down at the light which then subsequently hit several other

NHTSA complaint 11695696, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

2 injured · crash · towed · 61,450 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH in a snowstorm, with his son in the front passenger's seat, another vehicle drove by the driver's side of the vehicle and sprayed a significant amount of snow on the vehicle, and the windshield wipers seized. The contact then lost visibility of the roadway and slowed down. The vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. Both the contact and his son sustained back injuries but did not received medical assistance. The contact was unsure whether the other driver had sustained an injury. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an auto body

NHTSA complaint 11545494, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof was opened and a slim metal piece fell down into the car landing in the console. I wasn’t sure where it came from so I tried to close the sunroof. It would slide to close but would not go down the last inch or so on the back. I tried to open and close it a couple times to see if it was just sticking and another slim metal piece fell down. I am afraid to drive much and over 25-30 mph because I am afraid the roof may fly out. A long silver piece was flopping around (I assume a wind deflector) so I laid it in the backseat. It’s a shame that I have a vehicle that’s basically unusable on rainy or windy days and can’t drive over 30 mph because roof may fly out and hit someone. I also

NHTSA complaint 11757107, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
In my 2020 Palisade with automated third and second row seats, the third row automated seat button was accidentally pushed and started to close on my grandchild who was sitting in the third row. The seat did not detect that anyone was sitting in it and kept closing. Luckily I was able to hit the button to stop it. This same problem also happened in the automated second row seat with a grandchild in it. Another [XXX] old child pushed the button on the entry side of the captain’s seat and the seat did not detect that there was someone sitting in it and began to close on them. Once again we were lucky and was standing there and able to push the button to stop it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT

NHTSA complaint 11757193, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 107,233 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with spark plug and ignition coil failures. The contact was informed that the spark plugs and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the

NHTSA complaint 11756952, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America has been notified of the safety issue through the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, which required Hyundai to provide a written response within ten business days. Hyundai has not responded to the Attorney General, has not responded to follow‑up attempts, and has not provided any guidance or corrective action. The local dealership reports that Hyundai Corporate will not authorize warranty diagnostics or repairs, leaving the vehicle in an unsafe condition with no manufacturer support.

NHTSA complaint 11754648. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
On or about XXX I brought my vehicle into the dealership as my 2020 Hyundai palisade suffered a severe, sudden engine malfunction while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle began shaking violently, losing power, and making loud mechanical noises forcing me to navigate dangerous highway traffic to get it to the dealership. Prior to the failure, in XXX, the vehicle was brought into an authorized dealership as the vehicle would not drive properly, very slow acceleration and the vehicle feeling like it was stalling causing a danger to the road. . The dealership performed an inspection on the vehicle and diagnosed "carbon buildup due to mileage and age," they performed an authorized emissions

NHTSA complaint 11754052, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
When attempting to use engine braking to control descent on mountain roads, the vehicle failed to slow. Engine RPMs increased and speed increased requiring significant brake usage. Last year the vehicle performed as expected as deceleration was controlled via downshifting with much less brake usage. The only change was the application earlier this year of Hyundai service campaign 9C9.

NHTSA complaint 11751687. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Palisade

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 104 3
2025 234 3 1
2024 379 5
2023 388 5
2022 298 5
2021 422 6

Other 2020 Hyundai models

Every Hyundai on this site — 201 vehicles, 276 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst