The Hyundai Palisade stands out in its segment with a posh interior and an excellent powertrain. The three-row SUV isn’t comparable to Genesis vehicles but competes against rivals like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the Kia Telluride. The Korean SUV has seen massive sales figures and is backed by the best powertrain warranty in the country. Despite this, the SUV sees many complaints registered on the NHTSA along with one recall issued by Hyundai Motor America. Let’s go over the most frequent complaints and see why the Palisade was recalled in 2021.
2021 Hyundai Palisade Issues
Electrical issues:
- Apple CarPlay connection issues: Some 2021 Palisade owners have reported the Apple CarPlay disconnecting frequently. People say that this disconnection affects navigation and related activities. It also acts as a major distraction to the driver.
- HTRAC disengagement: Many Palisade owners have complained of the HTRAC disengaging without any warning due to electrical issues. The issue has also been reported in older model years as well. This disengagement causes a loss in traction and affects the handling of the SUV.
- Complete electrical shutdown: Some owners have expressed dissatisfaction with random electrical failures in the Palisade. This shutdown affects all the electricals in the vehicle and stalls the engine. Such engine stalling increases the risk of a collision.
Mechanical issues:
- Parking brake issues: The Hyundai Palisade parking brake activates randomly without warning. This event causes the vehicle to stall. In contrast, people have also reported the parking brake disengaging. This disengagement led to the unintentional movement of the SUV. This unintended movement caused injuries to the occupants exiting the vehicle.
- Engine oil leakage: Some people have reported the Palisade to leak engine oil. This leakage has been observed while the car was sitting idle for some time. The issue has also been reported when the SUV was being driven for prolonged periods.
- Transmission vibration and jerking: A handful of people have reported the transmission vibrating while driving at low speeds. People have also reported the SUV stalling due to this jerking and causing close rear-end collisions. People have also reported the transmission vibrating while driving but the vibration goes away after some time.
Interior issues:
- Whistling noise: Many people have reported a loud whistling noise coming from near the windshield. The issue was also reported to come from the sunroof and windows as well. This loud noise affects the cabin’s serenity and is reported to cause headaches on longer drives.
- Foul Nappa leather smell: A handful of owners have reported the Nappa leather seats to give out a foul smell when sitting under the sun. The smell is strong and induces nausea in occupants.
- Unlatched seats: People have reported the seats get unlatched automatically. Some owners have complained that the seats unlatch via a shoulder button when the vehicle is moving. This also fails to restrain the occupants properly.
Exterior issues:
- Windshield cracking: The Hyundai Palisade is marred with windshield issues. Many people have reported the windshield to crack from the slightest of impacts. These cracks then expand multi folds in a short span and decrease visibility.
Hyundai Palisade Recalls
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has only one recall under its belt. The recall was issued on October 27, 2021, with NHTSA Campaign Number 21V840000. Hyundai Motor America recalled 995 units of the 2021 Palisade for issues with the brake master cylinder. The inner-cup seals of the master cylinder can swell up and reduce braking performance. This increases the risk of a crash.
The recall for the SUV began on December 24, 2021. The owners were notified and dealers replaced the brake master cylinders free of charge.
Should you buy the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade gets a premium cabin and potent engine options at a price much lower than equally-posh German rivals. The three-row SUV has good seating space and enjoys many positive reviews from the market. There have been many complaints listed on the NHTSA but most of the complaints aren’t widespread, except for the windshield issue. If you want to get a used Hyundai Palisade, check if it was recalled and go carefully over the service history.
