Photo: LuvsMG481 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2021 Hyundai Palisade: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Palisade years.
435 owner complaints, most about seat belts. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Palisade?The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has 435 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are seat belts and engine. Owners most often flag excessive engine oil consumption (primarily 2020-2021 models): severe oil burning, often requiring engine replacement under warranty, typically manifesting around 60,000 miles.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Hyundai Palisade vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Palisade years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Palisade?
Across the 7 Palisade model years we track, complaint volume runs from 306 (2022) to 536 (2020). With 435 complaints, the 2021 Palisade sits about the same as the model's median of 385.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Palisade
service brakes, hydraulic:fluid
Campaign 21V840000Hyundai 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.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 22V627000Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
trailer hitches
Campaign 22V633000Hyundai 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.
visibility/wiper
Campaign 23V180000Hyundai 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.
Show 2 more recalls
seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly
Campaign 25V607000Hyundai 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.
air bags:side/window:curtain
Campaign 26V034000Hyundai 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."
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide.
- Very frequentExcessive engine oil consumption (primarily 2020-2021 models)
Severe oil burning, often requiring engine replacement under warranty, typically manifesting around 60,000 miles.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Palisade. See the full Palisade owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Palisade listings typically run $21,327–$34,765.
Other Palisade model years
Compare every Palisade year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Palisade against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy