NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The seatbelt buckle unlatches itself while driving. This is specifically in the captain chairs in the second row
Sputtering when it is stopped and driving. It then cut off when stopped at a light multiple times and check engine light came on.
Paint started chipping… Dealer stated it was from a rock, however a rock chip doesn’t cause a whole section of paint bigger than a quarter to just flake off.. ironically there was another vehicle on the lot having the same issues . Picture is included.. Second issue is the engine It makes a grinding noise when driving almost like the cams or transmission is going to go bad, but i think it’s the timing chain. Lasty the suspension it has clicking noises that cannot be resolved.
Upon opening the sunroof, two metal pieces flew off while driving and now the sunroof will not shut. The metal that flew off could’ve hit a car behind me. The car is available for inspection, Upon request. Online and saw other people with similar stories and issues With the Palisade. I then called the dealer/repair shop and scheduled for repair roughly a week and a half out which was the earliest I could get it in. There were no alerts or warnings or any lights telling me there was an issue with this particular device.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the seat belt disengaged unintentionally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
While driving the vehicle the second row seat belts, after being buckled for the duration of travel, would randomly come unlatched/unbuckled. This left the passengers restrained by those seatbelts unprotected and leave the owner with no confidence that the seatnelts would hold in an accident situation. It has happened on both sides of the vehicle in the second row seats. This has happened 4 times over the last two years. The problem has not been reproduced or examined by the manufacturer or any other the owner.
The failed/malfunctioning component(s) are the rear shocks/struts. Safety put at risk due to uncontrollable bumpiness and instability while driving on less than perfectly smooth local roads and highways. The problem has been confirmed by local Hyundai dealership service center. There are no associated electronic notifications or warning lights alerting driver of failure or malfunctioning of this vehicle component. Recently purchased the vehicle in July 2024 as a certified pre owned and noticed knocking sound emitting from rear (mostly left) side of vehicle about a month or two after purchase.
Knocking sound from rear driver side area. May be linked to suspension. Cars has only 55k miles.
The seat belt buckle in the 2nd row and 3rd row seats are too low and put a high back booster and occupants at risk. My son is at the correct height and weight to transition into a high back booster and he and I are struggling to get the metal latch into the buckle. It’s extremely hard to determine if the seat belt latches correctly into the buckle because no click noise is heard. The buckle should raise out of the base of the seat at least another inch or two to allow children and adults to buckle safely.
Front passenger and both captain chairs seatbelts will unlatch on their own. Windshield wipers when on automatic setting will turn on with no precipitation on windshield. Generally when the steering is turned slightly left. Both issues have happened multiple times over the past 4 years of ownership.
While driving on the interstate on a clear sunny day at approximately 70 mph within the span of five minutes my vehicle’s emergency braking system engaged (with visible warning on dash screen) causing breaking with a steering deviation forced to the right. There was no one immediately in the lanes next to me, and the car in front of me was 4-5 car lengths ahead, at least.
The child lock function malfunctions after engaged. Persistent clicking and doors are able to be opened while in the lock engage position. I travel with children so their safety is at risk with this malfunction. No lamp messages or warning signs are displayed. I’m taking back to the CarMax dealer today as I just purchased this car less than 24 hours ago.
I am experiencing the issues stated in TSB 22-SS-001H. 70,000 miles on vehicle; Hyundai refuses to repair under extended warranty.
The sunroof on the vehicle has completely broken with minimal use the vehicle is a 2021 and only one owner. This is an ongoing issue with the vehicle type and Hyundai is not covering the cost of repair. It is causing a significant hardship for vehicle use and the cost or repair is in the thousands. I am not the only vehicle owner that is having this issue and Hyundai needs to take accountability for this.
Rear shock failure causing bouncy uneven drive, confirmed with visibly leaked fluid. Dealership contacted, awaiting investigation
Based upon Big Star Hyundai Repair Department’s assessment the engine failed because there was a miss fire in cylinder 6. They have been waiting on a new engine since July 2024. Our car has been at the dealership since 2024.
While driving down the interstate heard a loud sound, sounding like a shot gun. Looked and the sunroof shattered. Immediately took it into the dealership and they determined it was not hit by anything and they have been seeing a rise of this happening. They are fixing under warranty and had to give me rental car because they don’t know how long it will take. It was extremely scary and thankfully my sunroof cover was closed. I can easily see this causing a car accident.
If you have the child locks engaged on the driver side door controls, the back locks will continuously click as if they are trying to lock/unlock. This can happen when opening the locks with the fob, or randomly while driving. There are multiple reports of this issue on online forums such as Reddit, [XXX] , etc. This should be considered as a known safety issue with the potential to impact the health and wellbeing of children riding in the back of Hyundai models, yet no recall is in place to address it. Multiple owners have reported dealing with Hyundai dealerships on this issue at this time, not sure why Hyundai is dragging their feet in addressing this obvious safety concern??? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The rear suspension is not working. The SUV bounces around like a roller coaster. This occurred somewhere around 30,000 mile mark. Before that, the ride was smooth.
In June of 2024, my Hyundai Palisade started shuddering every time I shifted from 20mph to 30mph. Twice the car shuddered and stopped at intersections and had to be shut off and restarted. I then received an engine light on my dashboard. I dropped off at Safford Hyundai in June and after evaluation by mechanic was told several components should be changed. 1)Replace three ignition coils 2)Replace three injector gaskets 3)Replace all 6 spark plugs 4)Perform Fuel Injector cleaning service. Total cost was $2,875.95. I was told the repair would take 1 day but received the car after 5 days and that too after many calls and emails. On the day we received the car, we had to drive long distance for our summer vacation. Within a few miles of our summer vacation, the car started shuddering again. This problem was supposed to be solved by the repairs that had just been done. I immediately informed Safford Hyundai. When we got back from vacation, I took the car to a nearby well know mechanic and he immediately said that was a transmission issue and should have been covered by Hyundai warranty. I went back to Safford Hyundai dealership and that is when they said indeed it was a transmission issue and was covered by warranty. This was on 8/7. Unfortunately because of the huge backlog of Hyundai transmission issues, I was told I wouldn’t receive my new transmission for 1 to 2 months. I contacted Hyundai corporate and pushed to get my car back. I was told they would expedite my transmission and was told to pick up the car on 8/30. I went to pick up the car and immediately noticed that the steering wheel sounded like it was being sandpapered every time I turned. My car steering wheel turned smoothly prior to the whole transmission change. I literally made a circle around the service center and turned my car in back for repair. I was told to leave my car at the Hyundai dealership and they would get back to me. My car is still in repair. Email several times.
The child safety door lock system is malfunctioning. While driving or approaching the vehicle with the keyfob, all door locks will cycle repeatedly and randomly. After a minute or so of cycling, the dash will illuminate that the child safety door lock system has failed. The light on the child lock button on the door will remain illuminated; however, the rear doors can be opened, including while driving. This is a significant safety issue for those with children in the back seat. Dealer hasn't been helpful. Issue can be repeated by cycling the child lock button on the door.
The trunk electrical. When I push the button the trunk fully opens as you are in the turn knit begins to close and has no sensor. I came down into the back of my neck so hard and caused injury . It didn’t it again to my [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The passenger side seat belt in the 2nd row repeatedly becomes unbuckled once driving. This has happened with adults and children sitting the the seat and has happened over an extended period of time. This is a major safety issue if it were to unlock during an accident.
Car door locks will begin clicking randomly on all doors when either approaching the car with the key fob or when driving. Clicking will continue for a good minute before a Child Safety Lock failure message appears on the dash. Message only stays up for two seconds before going away. Searching forums, this seems to be a common issue and should be a recall. Dealership hasn’t been able to help but forums say the issue can be recreated by quickly cycling the child door safety lock switch.
Seat belt on front passenger seat randomly comes unlatched while driving. I asked my dealership to review this in May 2024 and then again in 1/2025 as it keeps happening. The seat belt is clicked and suddenly comes loose and then the seatbelt alarms start going off. Dealership has not been able to replicate. I would say this has happened about 6 times since I started noticing it. The dealership since they can't replicate, they won't pay for it. And say no recall. I am paying for the dealership to change out the seat belt.
2021 Hyundai Palisade 30, 000 miles while driving started having a random clicking noise coming from the doors and a relay clicking noise coming from under the glove box followed by a Child Safety Lock Failure error message on the instrument cluster. This would sporadically continue to happen while driving as well as upon approaching vehicle. I have two small toddlers that I am truly concerned about. So far Hyundai has replaced 2 door latches and the Child Safety Lock Switch to no avail because the issue is still ongoing.
The seatbelt indicator lights for both the driver seat and passenger-side third row seat appear to be faulty. The issue first appeared with the driver seatbelt chime, which would ding while the seatbelt was in-fact in use by the driver (i.e. the driver was buckled, but the indicator would chime as if the seatbelt was not buckled). The car was taken in for service and the issue was communicated to the service provider-a possible solution was recommended. At a later date, the chime for the third row (passenger side) seat began to chime faultily too. The indicator would chime both when the passenger was buckled, but also when there was no occupant in the seat at all. The concern is that seatbelt indicators are not working properly and therefore may impact other safety measures related to the affected seatbelts. The issue is still on going, most actively in the third row passenger-side seat.
On several occasions, between 15-25, one seatbelt (2nd row behind driver) unlatches randomly. We know it’s not because of the user. It will latch (and we know it’s latched because it clicks and there’s no seatbelt warning), but while driving it will unlatch for no apparent reason. A child sits in this position.
The hatch struts prevent the hatch door to close due to the broken plastic surrounding the struts. Both struts were replaced a year after the vehicle was purchased brand new and then a year later another broke and now they are broken again and in less than a year they are showing sign of hair line cracks, which will eventually causes the hatch door to get stuck sand it will not shut. Not only it’s a safety problem but also a very expensive piece of struts. For both to be replaced it will cost $2500-3000. This is a defect designed with cheap plastic. Please issue a recall immediately.
The warning sign about FCA, LDW etc. came on while driving. Cleaned all sensors and still the warning keeps coming up.
We have had the car towed twice to and from the dealer to fix the problem and they are telling us the parts are on back order and they cant fix the car but they put in in the system that it has been fixed. This is Colorado Spring time the weather can do anything here this time of year the car is not safe to drive but the dealer told my wife they will not give her a loaner car so she is being forest to drive a unsafe car.
In the second row seat the seat belts come unbuckled at spontaneous times. Often while driving. Sometimes multiple times in the same trip. It’s worse on my son’s seat where he has a booster and it happens to my daughter sometimes too, she’s not in a booster. It’s been going on for a few years. It’s very stressful. If you apply pressure (like leaning forward) it will happen too. This is after we have buckled heard the click and applied pressure to ensure locking. I noted the last time but this has been an ongoing issue. The dealer is. It helpful and says nothing is wrong.
While driving at 65mph on interstate under mild weather conditions the front sunroof spontaneously exploded. There was an extreme loud pop sound followed by glass flying down the roof line and into the fortunately closed sun shade. There was no external impact to cause this and the sunroof mechanism was not being used. After pulling over for inspection a volleyball size hole was seen in front sunroof and the remaining pieces of fractured glass was bowed up suggesting the glass blew up and not down. Safety concerns from the loud pop sound startling driver and potential for glass to rain over driver and occupants if the sunshade is open. The dealer refused to look at the issue and suggested body shop for repair. There were no warning signs and not a driver related issue. There continue to be many incidents being reported here and I'm guessing countless that aren't. There is an issue with the manufacturer needs to address.
Vehicle started to have bumpy ride and loud popping noise from the rear. I have an appointment at the dealership next week, but we know the shocks are leaking/malfunctioning. This seems to be a very common problem with Hyundai Palisades. The concern is replacing with the same OEM parts to have the same issue again.
I am having problems with the seatbelt buckles in the second and third row seats, either not buckling to begin with (the seatbelt will not latch), or the seatbelt spontaneously unbuckles while I am driving. It is an intermittent problem, the seatbelts sometimes work but sometimes don't work. I took my car in to my local Hyundai service center for this problem in 5/2024 and the technician was able to replicate the problem in the 2 second row seats and both buckles were replaced. The seatbelts all worked well until about a month ago and now I am again having the same problems with intermittent spontaneous unlatching of the seatbelts in the 2 second row seats and one of the third row seats. I took my car in to my local Hyundai dealership on [XXX] and unfortunately the technician was not able to replicate the problem that day. My local dealership (McDonald Hyundai in Highlands Ranch, CO) refused to try to fix the problem this time, and a complaint filed with Hyundai of America (case #[XXX]) has resulted in similar inaction--since the technician could not replicate the problem that day, they tell me there is nothing to be done. I am concerned that spontaneously unlatching seatbelts (in the seats my children sit in) are unlikely to work properly to restrain them in the case of a car accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The second row seatbelt will come unlatched on its own. This happens after ensuring that the initial buckling was done properly. My child is in a booster seat in this rear passenger seat, and I am anxious every time I drive with her in the car as her safety is very much at risk. The dealer has not been seen for this problem as I feel it would be a waste of my time and money. If they replace the seatbelt with the same defective parts, nothing will be solved. The seatbelt warning goes off when this happens and turns off when the seatbelt is buckled again.
The middle row outside seat belts have both not latched when trying to buckle and have come unlatched after buckling and latching. This has happened multiple times on both sides and while the vehicle is in motion. The problem has been reported to a local Hyundai service department but since no remedy has been produced yet, they have not been replaced which makes those seats unusable. This is obviously a huge safety concern to any passenger in the backseat and now have 2 less seats in our SUV. There were no indicators or warning symptoms prior to the seat belts malfunctioning. It first started around April 2024 and is still an issue currently
Child safety lock, making a clicking sound while engaged. When the lock is disengaged, the sound goes away. This sounds like a safety concern when you are trying to put on the child log for safety of your child.
The seat belt in the 2nd row where my child sits, comes unlatched while driving. Happened in the driver seat as well. This is a major safety concern given they come unlatched without pressure. We always double check now that we pull it after inserting to double check it is all the way in and it still has happened. It has not been inspected by manufacturer or dealership yet. Just bought used from a dealership in December (5 months ago). The vehicle is available upon request for inspection at anytime. The seat belt light alarms when it becomes unlatched. It’s been happening for a few months- I initially thought my child wasn’t clicking it in all the way but even after double checking it myself and when it happened in the driver seat this week- I believe it is not user error. I’ve searched online and saw other complaints of this same issue.
Front driver seatbelt, rear passenger seat belt, rear middle seatbelt do not stay latched or become unlatched while driving. Taken to two different dealerships who state they could not replicate the issues.
The passenger side rear view mirror stop auto tilting when in reverse, even with the switch in left or right position. I also cannot manually adjust said mirror up or down, only left and right. At one point said mirror tilted downwards when reverse selected and never came back up. At first the issue seem intermittent, but now it doesn’t work at all.
Our car was parked in our garage overnight. In the morning, I went to get in the car and found that the sunroof had shattered. There was no evidence that anything had fallen on it or hit it; it was just simply shattered. There had been no previous damage to the vehicle. We attempted to call the 2 local Hyundai dealerships, but either did not receive a call back or they stated that they could not review our car for at least 2-3 weeks to see if this was a defect.
The Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) System disabled Radar Blocked pops up on the screen often. I have 2 cracks on my windshield, and I do not have the funds to replace it.
2nd row seatbelts do not fully secure in place and remain locked. This happens repeatedly with different individuals indicated a mechanism failure rather than user error
The engine failed due to excessive oil consumption/internal oil loss. The engine is currently installed in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. The issue began while the vehicle was under warranty and has progressed to the point where engine replacement has been recommended. Ongoing oil loss and engine malfunction created a risk of sudden engine failure or loss of power while driving, which could lead to stalling or reduced ability to safely control the vehicle. This presents a safety risk to the occupants and other motorists, especially at highway speeds. Yes. The issue was confirmed by an authorized Hyundai dealership through oil consumption monitoring, diagnostic testing, and inspection after the check engine light illuminated. Hyundai has acknowledged the problem by authorizing testing, attempting repairs, and recommending engine replacement. Yes. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealership, and the issue has been reviewed by Hyundai Motor America through warranty and goodwill claims submitted by the dealer. es. The first symptom was unexplained oil loss beginning at approximately 66,000 miles, with no visible external leak. Later, the check engine light illuminated, prompting further inspection and leading to the recommendation for engine replacement.
The second row seatbelts do not reliably latch. The belts will click closed and the bell indicator will stop beeping when the seatbelt is engaged but it often pops out within minutes or while driving. This is extremely dangerous as my children are essentially driving in a car with no seat belt. My children have now been trained to latch the belt and yank on it to verify. This has reduced incidents as it will usually yank out when they pull hard, but sometimes this is not enough and the seat belt will unlatch later while driving down the road. This has been reported to the Hyundai dealership and they ignore the issue when they can't reproduce it in the shop.
Windshield cracks under normal highway driving condition. Smaller rocks coming onto windshield are expected under highway driving conditions. Of all the 9 vehicles that I have owned previously none had this issue but with Hyundai Palisade the glass cracked very easily. I have small cracks on my windshield at multiple places and it appears that Hyundai has installed a thin windshield or a windshield not suited for highways in USA. Could NHTSA please investigate this?
On 01/12/24 my vehicle cut off while driving and wouldn't allow me to shift from park to shift. The transmission also had a habit of jerking back and forth when under load going up a hill. Hyundai dealership suggested a transmission flush. After the flush the problem came back in May of 2024
The second row seat belt is weak and unbuckles suddenly. My child's seatbelt will unclick spontaneously after driving. It is a hassle to click when putting seatbelt on. Big safety hazard for family members sitting in second row seat as they are left unprotected during an accident.
The sunroof on our 2021 Hyundai Palisade spontaneously shattered while driving. There were no other vehicles around, it just exploded. Fortunately the shade cover was closed so no glass flew into the vehicle.