VehicleVerdict

2021 Hyundai Palisade problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade sits mid-pack among Palisade years: 523 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 503, with 6 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 33 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across seat belts (103), other (79), and visibility & wipers (62), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

523

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

33

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Palisade years?

Palisade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted682 complaints2020: 682 complaints2021: 523 complaints2022: 372 complaints2023: 534 complaints2024: 503 complaints2025: 335 complaints2026: 141 complaints
Palisade NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Palisade years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Palisade problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts10320%
Other7915%
Visibility & Wipers6212%
Electrical System5110%
Engine5010%
Driver Assistance347%
Suspension306%
Transmission214%
Body & Structure173%
Steering132%
Trailer Hitch132%
Brakes102%
Seats92%
Fuel System82%
Airbags71%
Speed Control71%
Tires & Wheels41%
Lighting41%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have recalls?

6 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.

23V180000Visibility & WipersMarch 17, 2023 · 167,085 units

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.

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 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.

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.

21V840000BrakesOctober 27, 2021 · 995 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Second row seat belt buckles come unbuckle while driving. Even with buckle securely fastened and checked upon passenger being seated, later on the seatbelt becomes unbuckled randomly during driving. Extreme safety issue not only since the passenger is unbuckled, but because driver now becomes…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 28, 2024

“From driver: "While traveling westbound on John Lynch St, I approached the left turn lane heading southbound on Valley St. I engaged the brakes and began navigating the left turn at approx. 30 MPH. While turning, the vehicle's "Lane Assist" engaged preventing me from completing the turn. Halfway…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 18, 2021 · crash

“The sunroof wind guard arms broke and are preventing sunroof from shutting allowing elements from the exterior such as rain to get into the cabin. The dealer is aware of the issue, and has taped the sunroof as a remedy until parts come in as they are on backorder. The car alerts every time the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 20, 2022

“Another vehicle t-boned my vehicle on the front left side. We were both traveling around 15 mph. As soon as he struck my vehicle, the air bags were deployed and the car instantly caught fire. The car was on fire before I was at a complete stop. I was able to pry the door open and crawl through a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 16, 2021 · crash · fire

“Another vehicle t-boned my vehicle on the front left side. We were both traveling around 15 mph. As soon as he struck my vehicle, the air bags were deployed and the car instantly caught fire. The car was on fire before I was at a complete stop. I was able to pry the door open and crawl through a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 16, 2021 · crash · fire

2021 Hyundai Palisade — common questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade reliable?

It is close to typical for the Palisade: 523 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2021 Palisade problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (103 complaints), other (79 complaints), visibility & wipers (62 complaints).

Does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations 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 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 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.