First generation (LX2)
2021 Hyundai Palisade
The most reported problem on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade is seat belt, with 121 complaints, usually around 50,000 miles.
- 437owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 8involved a crash
- 30,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Palisade doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade reliable?
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has 437 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.0 times the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 7 Palisade model years since 2020, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- At 73 complaints for each year on the road, the 2021 runs close to the 2020 (77) and above the 2022 (61).
- Top problem
- Seat belt leads with 121 of the 437 complaints (28%), ahead of windshield at 56. A quarter of the 21 owners who gave a mileage for seat belt saw it by about 10,000 miles, and half by about 50,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 13 of the 437 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 8 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 20 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Seat belt and windshield each have a recall on the same system (25V-607; 22V-627 and 23V-180). Infotainment has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 118, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 92 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: seat belt or seat problems, 121 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
437 complaints is 2.3 times the median 2021 model on this site and 2.0 times the median 2021 SUV. Among the 7 Palisade model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Hyundai filed 127 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. 23 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 9 of those a warranty extension. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Seat belt or seat problems 9 bulletins · 121 complaints
Certain 2020 – 2025 model year Palisade vehicles may experience abnormal seat belt buckle(s) operation. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value.
Certain 2020-2025MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may experience abnormal seat belt buckle(s) operation. Hyundai has extended warranty coverage for the seat belt buckle under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date ...
7 more on this problem
Certain 2020-2025MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may experience abnormal seat belt buckle(s) operation. Hyundai is extending warranty coverage for the seat belt buckle under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date ...
Certain 2020-2025MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may experience abnormal seat belt buckle(s) operation. Follow the procedure in this TSB to inspect the concerning seat belt buckle(s) for abnormal symptoms with buckle insertion, ejection feeling, sound, or ...
Certain 2020 - 2024MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may experience seat belts that are twisted due to excessive space in the D-ring.
Certain 2020 - 2024MY vehicles may experience seat belts that are twisted due to excessive space in the D-ring. Hyundai is extending warranty coverage for the seat belts under this condition to 10 years/100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery ...
Certain 2020 – 2024 model year Hyundai Palisade vehicles may experience seat belts that are twisted due to excessive space in the D-ring. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value.
Some 2020-2022 Palisade (LX2) third row seats may be inoperative or may not fully reach the open or folded position. This bulletin provides information for troubleshooting the third row seat.
This bulletin describes the procedure to service certain Palisade (LX2) vehicles that may have odor emitting from the headrest(s).
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 56 complaints
This bulletin describes the procedure to replace the inside belt molding and attach pads to the side view mirror seal, side view mirror hole, and glass run on certain Palisade vehicles experiencing wind and/or whistling noise while driving.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 30 complaints
Some vehicles equipped with the AVN 5th Gen Wide system may exhibit a condition where the radio app crashes frequently when entering radio mode and/or displays a message that reads “Uneven Road Ahead, Drive carefully” on the cluster along with a warning ...
Certain 2019-2022MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may display a haptic motor check on the cluster. This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Integrated Central Control Unit (ICU) software to resolve this condition.
2 more on this problem
Some 2020-2021 Santa Fe (TMa) and Palisade (LX2) may intermittently experience abnormal camera image display conditions on the instrument cluster when the turn signal is turned ON or the radio screen when transmission is in Reverse.
When using Wireless CarPlay, the system may intermittently auto disconnect. When Wireless CarPlay is disconnected, a pop up message âPhone Not Responding. Please reconnect it and try againâ will appear on the radio screen.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 3 bulletins · 30 complaints
Certain 2020 – 2024 model year Palisade vehicles may exhibit a clunking or thumping noise from the rear of the vehicle while driving over rough roads. This may be caused by worn rear self-leveling shock absorbers.
Certain Palisade (LX2) vehicles may exhibit a clunking or thumping noise from the rear of the vehicle while driving over rough roads. This may be caused by worn self-leveling rear shock absorbers.
1 more on this problem
Some Palisade (LX2) vehicles may produce noise from AWD coupling vibrations when making turns caused by a logic error with the All Wheel Drive Electronic Control Unit (AWD ECU).
Check engine light or misfire 2 bulletins · 11 complaints
If you are servicing an 8-speed vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed, follow the service procedure and replace the related solenoid and harness.
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related input/output speed sensor and harness.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 1 bulletin · 6 complaints
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 2 bulletins · 6 complaints
This bulletin describes the procedure to diagnose and repair tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) DTC(s) on some 19MY and newer Santa Fe (TMA), 2021MY and newer Santa Fe Hybrid (TM HEV), 2022MY and newer Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid (TM PHEV), and 2019MY and ...
This bulletin provides tire vibration service procedures, including how to optimize vehicle vibration performance. For all wheel/tire balance claims, the âTire Balance Data Sheetâ must be fully completed including imbalance and Road Force Variation (RFV) ...
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
Certain vehicles may develop a bearing noise within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) column worm shaft assembly. If bearing noise is heard, follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the worm shaft bearing.
Complaints filed by year
118 complaints came in 2025, 1.9 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Inadvertent seat belt unlatch. Closed dec 12, 2025, led to recall 25V-607.
NHTSA summary
Windshield wiper failure. Closed may 26, 2023, led to recall 23V-180.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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 (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 and remedy
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 (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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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 (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk and remedy
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 (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 and remedy
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.
All 6 recalls on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Seat belt, with 121 of the 437 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 50,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Palisade problems start?
Of the 103 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 2,000 miles and half by about 30,000.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has about as many complaints as the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 73 a year against 77 and 61.
How many 2021 Hyundai Palisade complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
13 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for seat belt on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 25V-607. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.