NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain air bags protecting third-row passengers may deploy incorrectly during a crash, reducing protection from ejection.
What the fix does
This page covers 11 recalls, 494 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade.
21–22 mpg combined
10.7–11.2 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2020 Palisade centers on visibility and engine issues. Visibility and wiper complaints lead by a wide margin, with owners frequently reporting obstructed or distorted forward sightlines, a recurring theme across a large share of the complaint set. On the engine side, excessive oil consumption is the most consistent story: owners describe oil dropping to critically low levels between normal change intervals, often to the point of carrying extra oil in the vehicle. That oil loss ties directly into secondary symptoms owners report, rough running, engine hesitation, shuddering under acceleration, and the check engine light appearing. Some owners also describe white smoke from the exhaust alongside these episodes. Suspension complaints round out the top three, though at lower volume. The oil consumption pattern tends to surface at higher mileage but has been reported across a range of odometer readings.
494
Total Complaints
13
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade has 11 recalls, the most serious being a tow hitch wiring harness that can short-circuit and start a fire even when the vehicle is parked and off.
The tow hitch fire risk applies to vehicles with a factory-installed or dealer-sold harness, where moisture and debris on the circuit board can cause the short. On the occupant safety side, two related issues affect the side curtain airbags: mounting bolts can tear the curtain airbags during deployment so they fail to inflate properly, and the third-row curtain airbags may not deploy correctly in a crash at all, leaving rear passengers with reduced protection. Seat belt buckles in the driver, front passenger, and second-row outboard seats can also fail to latch or detach in a crash, meaning those occupants may not be held in place when it matters most. On the visibility side, the windshield wiper motor can stop working when snow or ice builds up on the windshield, leaving the driver with an obstructed view in winter conditions. Prior repair attempts under an earlier campaign did not fully resolve the wiper issue for all affected vehicles.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain air bags protecting third-row passengers may deploy incorrectly during a crash, reducing protection from ejection.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will install protective film over the rear window and remove padding as needed to correct air bag deployment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain airbags may not deploy correctly for passengers sitting in the third row during a crash.
What the fix does
Hyundai will send you a written notice. The repair procedure is being developed and will be provided later.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt buckles in the driver, passenger, and second-row window seats may fail to latch, preventing the belt from securing properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver, front passenger, and second-row outboard seat belt buckles may not have been manufactured correctly, so the seat belts might not latch securely and could detach during a crash.
What the fix does
Hyundai will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where they will inspect and replace the faulty seat belt buckle(s) if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor may stop working when snow or ice builds up on the windshield.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the driver's windshield wiper arm. Clear snow or ice before restarting wipers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 4-pin trailer wiring harness kit may short circuit over time, causing the control module to overheat.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect and repair or replace the trailer wiring harness kit as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Debris and moisture can collect on the tow hitch harness circuit board, causing an electrical short that may start a fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit at no cost to prevent the electrical short.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor may stop working when snow or ice accumulates on the windshield.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's windshield wiper arm to restore wiper motor function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor may stop working, leaving wipers unable to function.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During a side-impact crash, the mounting bolts for the side curtain airbags can damage the airbags as they deploy, causing them to tear and fail to inflate.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective cover over the side curtain airbag bolts to prevent bolt damage during deployment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The mounting bolts that hold the side curtain air bags in place may damage the air bags when they deploy.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a protective cover over the mounting bolts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
