VehicleVerdict

2020 Hyundai Palisade problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade sits mid-pack among Palisade years: 682 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 501, with 5 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 24 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (131), engine (124), and other (83), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

682

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

24

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Palisade years?

Palisade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted682 complaints2020: 682 complaints2021: 523 complaints2022: 372 complaints2023: 534 complaints2024: 503 complaints2025: 335 complaints2026: 141 complaints
Palisade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Palisade years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Hyundai Palisade problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers13119%
Engine12418%
Other8312%
Suspension609%
Seat Belts477%
Electrical System436%
Transmission386%
Driver Assistance304%
Body & Structure254%
Airbags244%
Steering142%
Seats132%
Trailer Hitch112%
Fuel System112%
Brakes112%
Tires & Wheels81%
Speed Control81%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V034000AirbagsJanuary 22, 2026 · 568,576 units

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."

Consequence

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. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated June 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 BeltsSeptember 11, 2025 · 568,580 units

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.

Consequence

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. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated June 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.

22V633000Trailer HitchAugust 18, 2022 · 244,980 units

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.

Consequence

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.

22V627000Visibility & WipersAugust 15, 2022 · 122,949 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.

Consequence

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.

19V802000AirbagsNovember 7, 2019 · 11,217 units

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.

Consequence

Damaged side curtain air bags may not inflate properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 19, 2023 · crash

The vehicle, a 2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL, was located in a closed garage, unoccupied. Within 10 minutes of parking the car in the garage, it caught on fire, possibly originating on the front, driver's side. Due to this incident occurring inside a garage, there was damage to our home and a high risk…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 15, 2025 · fire

VEHICLE CAME WITH TOW HITCH SYSTEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE USING A TRAILER HITCH THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST MELTED THE BACK END OF THE CAR, HEATED UP THE CARGO HITCH TO THE POINT OF MAKING IT HARD TO REMOVE FROM CAR, AND MELTING THE CARGO WEATHER PROOF BAG. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN A 2.5HR TRIP.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 12, 2020 · fire

2020 hyundai palisade limited with 71k miles. The rear shocks have been replaced 2x and the front struts have been replaced once already. The front struts knock over smooth rides and low impact imperfections. the rear shocks feel to have seemingly worn out, resulting in reverberating knocking…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 15, 2025

I feel that this is a huge safety issue as I have 3 grandchildren that I watch everyday and have to have 2 of them in the 3rd row and 1 in the middle section, I love this vehicle but know I am afraid to drive it when I have them. This should be fixed immediately. Every day that there is not a fix…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · April 13, 2026

2020 Hyundai Palisade — common questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade reliable?

It is close to typical for the Palisade: 682 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2020 Palisade problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (131 complaints), engine (124 complaints), other (83 complaints).

Does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Palisade years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Palisade years to avoid are 2025. The cleanest record among Palisade years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.