Palisade (1st)
Verdict Target a 2022-2023 car with full recall completion, after the 2020-2021 brake-fluid and wiper recalls and before the 2024 valve spring campaign. The 3.8L V6 is the only engine, and a Kia Telluride carries the same recall exposure.
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
GDI LAMBDA II
3.8LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Hyundai Palisade Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The 1st-generation Palisade shares one important data property with the Honda Odyssey RL6: a single-engine reliability story with no hybrid option to fall back on. Hyundai built the Palisade exclusively with the 3.8L Lambda II V6 across 2020-2025 production. Owners filed 1,966 complaints, 13 recalls, 9 fires, and 1 death across the run. The Lambda II carries 1,951 of those complaints (99.2 percent of the file) at 325.2 complaints-per-year. The complaint pattern concentrates in two unusual places for a luxury-aspirant SUV: brakes at 411 and interior at 340, on top of the more typical engine and safety-systems clusters. Two recent campaigns elevate this from a complaint-heavy file to a serious engineering watch.
The brake complaint volume traces to two recalls that hit the Lambda II powertrain platform directly. NHTSA campaign 21V840 covered brake fluid contamination on 2021 trucks that caused master cylinder inner-cup seals to swell and reduce braking performance. 23V415 covered brake booster diaphragm misalignment causing internal vacuum leak and loss of power brake assist on 2023 cars. Together those two campaigns explain a significant share of the 411 brake complaints. The interior cluster at 340 reflects the documented ventilated-seat complaint stream that has dogged the Palisade since 2022, plus the seat belt buckle failure-to-latch recall 25V607 that covers 2020-2025 build years in a single sweep. The valve spring recall on 2024 cars (24V106) is the most mechanically serious item in the stack.
Two recent campaigns deserve specific attention. NHTSA 24V106 covers 2024 Palisades where engine valve springs can break while driving, resulting in loss of drive power and a potential hole in the engine block. That is a complete-engine-failure outcome, not a service-bulletin item. NHTSA 25V291 covers 2025 cars where insufficient seal on the electric oil pump controller allows moisture into the printed circuit board, causing an electrical short and fire risk. The 22V633 tow hitch harness PCB short (also fire-related) covers 2020-2022 build years. Across the recall record, the side curtain airbag has been recalled twice (19V802 on 2020 cars, 26V034 sweeping 2020-2025 for third-row ejection mitigation failure) and the windshield wiper motor twice (22V627 on 2020-2021, 23V180 on 2021-2023). Multiple sweep recalls covering nearly the entire generation indicate defects Hyundai is still working to fully resolve.
The reliability profile points to a narrow used-buyer pool. The cleanest pick is a 2022-2023 Palisade outside the 2020-2021 brake-fluid recall window and before the 2024 valve spring campaign. Full verification of 26V034 (side curtain airbag), 25V607 (seat belt buckle), and the relevant ISG and brake recalls is required regardless of year. Cross-shoppers should compare against the Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Grand Highlander, or Honda Pilot for cleaner Full-Size SUV data. The mechanical sibling Kia Telluride shares the Lambda II platform and most recall exposure; it is not the alternative its different badge suggests.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Palisade, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
A 2022-2023 used Palisade with full recall completion is the strongest reliability pick in this generation. That window sits after the 2020-2021 brake-fluid and wiper recall issues and before the 2024 valve spring failure campaign. The 3.8L Lambda II V6 is the only engine available; there is no hybrid or powertrain alternative on this nameplate. Full recall completion on a Palisade now requires verifying multiple generation-spanning sweeps: 26V034 (side curtain airbag), 25V607 (seat belt buckle), and the relevant year-specific brake, wiper, and powertrain campaigns. Buyers cross-shopping the Kia Telluride should know it shares the Lambda II platform and most of the recall exposure described here.
Before buying any 2020-2021 Palisade, run the VIN through recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov and confirm 19V802 (side curtain airbag mounting bolt damage), 22V627 (wiper motor failure), 22V633 (tow hitch harness PCB fire risk), and 21V840 (2021 brake fluid contamination) campaigns are completed. On 2022-2023 cars, also verify 22V353 (instrument cluster adhesive on 2022), 23V180 (wiper intermittent operation on 2021-2023), 23V415 (2023 brake booster diaphragm vacuum leak), and 23V526 (ISG oil pump controller overheat on 2023-2024) work. On any year, verify the sweep campaigns 25V607 (seat belt buckle latch) and 26V034 (third-row side curtain airbag deployment). On 2024 cars, confirm 24V106 (engine valve spring failure that can hole the engine block) and 23V599 (suede seat ODS airbag suppression) are closed. On 2025 cars, verify 25V291 (electric oil pump controller fire risk) is completed.
Used pricing on the Palisade has held firmer than its complaint record arguably warrants, driven by the styling and content advantage over older domestic competitors. The price is what the market charges; the data describes what is underneath. Cross-shoppers should look at the Toyota Sequoia (smaller sample, generally cleaner record), Toyota Grand Highlander (newer entry, also cleaner per-year), or Honda Pilot for different reliability profiles. The Kia Telluride is the same vehicle from a powertrain and recall-exposure standpoint and is not a meaningful reliability alternative.
What to check on a used 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade
On a used 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the seats, seat belts and interior (472), the brakes (435) and the engine (320). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 472 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade about the seats, seat belts and interior.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 435 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade about the brakes.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 320 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade about the engine.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 301 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 195 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade about the electrical system.
Recalls (13)
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."
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles. An insufficient seal on the controller for the electric oil pump may allow moisture to accumulate in the printed circuit board, which can cause an electrical short and result in a fire.
Hyundia Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Palisade vehicles. The engine valve springs may break while driving, which can result in a loss of drive power and possibly create a hole in the engine block.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Palisade vehicles equipped with dark premium suede seats. The Occupant Detection System (ODS) may fail to detect an occupant and deactivate the passenger-side front air bags. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Show 8 older recalls
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023 Palisade vehicles. The brake booster diaphragm may become misaligned and cause an internal vacuum leak, which can result in a loss of power brake assist.
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.
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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Palisade vehicles. The instrument cluster assembly may have been manufactured with excessive adhesive, which can disable the instrument cluster display screen.
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.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade complaints?
Owners have filed 2,326 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade. The systems they name most often are the interior, the brakes and the engine.
Is the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 2,326 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade have?
NHTSA has 2,326 owner complaints on file for the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls covering some 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Palisade?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the interior, the brakes and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Palisade?
The 2025 Hyundai Palisade received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (14.3% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,326 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.