Palisade (1st)
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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. That figure runs roughly ten times the Full-Size SUV segment average of 31.16. The complaint pattern concentrates in two unusual places for a luxury-aspirant SUV: brakes at 409 and interior at 338, 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 409 brake complaints. The interior cluster at 338 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.
Engine Reliability Ratings
Hyundai Palisade Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
GDI LAMBDA II
3.8LView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Hyundai Palisade regardless of engine variant.
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 genuinely different reliability profiles. The Kia Telluride is the same vehicle from a powertrain and recall-exposure standpoint and is not a meaningful reliability alternative.
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 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 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."
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 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 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 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 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
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.
Alternatives in Full-Size SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade problems?
The 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade has accumulated 1,966 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Interior, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Hyundai Palisade engine is most reliable?
The 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.8L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade a good used car?
The 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,966 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade have?
The 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade has 1,966 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade?
There are 13 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2020-2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Palisade?
Before buying a used Hyundai Palisade, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Interior, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 1,966 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.