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2021 Hyundai Palisade VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has good reliability. There are 6 recalls and 354 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. Severity signals include 4 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Seat Belts (90), Unknown Or Other (49), Visibility Wiper (39).

Palisade reliability snapshot

61/100
Latest model-year reliability score
3.5/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$573
Avg annual repair cost

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Hyundai Palisade before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

Most-reported 2021 Hyundai Palisade issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Seat Belts90
  • Unknown Or Other49
  • Visibility Wiper39
  • Electrical System33
  • Suspension28
  • Engine19

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Check for excessive oil consumption by inspecting oil levels and consumption history
  • Inspect rear shock absorbers for leaks or excessive bouncing
  • Test seat belts for proper latching and unlatching
  • Examine windshield for cracks or chips, especially at the edges
  • Verify that the sunroof opens and closes smoothly without noise
  • Test the child safety lock system for proper operation
  • Check for any unusual vibrations or noises from the powertrain during a test drive

What owners reported

2021 Hyundai Palisade owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 7 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints90

SEAT BELTS

Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade frequently report issues with seat belts that either fail to latch or unbuckle unexpectedly, particularly in the second row. Common symptoms include seat belts that are difficult to latch, randomly unlatch while driving, or fail to retract properly, with some owners noting these issues since the vehicle was new. Complaints often mention mileage ranging from approximately 58,000 to 80,000 miles, and some owners express safety concerns due to the potential for seat belts to disengage during a crash. One injury is reported, highlighting the potential safety implications of these failures. These patterns suggest prospective buyers should be aware of potential seat belt reliability issues in this model.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints49

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners report several recurring issues with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, particularly involving child safety lock failures and sunroof malfunctions. The child safety lock issue often results in continuous locking and unlocking noises, with some owners noting that the locks disengage entirely, posing a potential safety risk for children. Sunroof problems include spontaneous glass shattering and wind deflector failures, with some incidents occurring while driving, which could potentially lead to driver distraction or injury. These issues are often noted within the first few months of ownership or around 70,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of engine stalling, coolant leaks, and excessive oil consumption, which are less frequent but notable for potential reliability concerns.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

Owner complaints39

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Owners report two main issues with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade's visibility and wiper systems. First, there are frequent complaints about windshields cracking easily, often from minor impacts such as small rocks or pebbles, with some owners noting cracks developing without any noticeable impact. These cracks can quickly expand, impairing visibility, and are often reported within the first few months or at low mileages, such as 2,500 to 8,000 miles. Second, multiple owners describe wipers ceasing to function when snow accumulates in the recessed area beneath them, which can lead to dangerous driving conditions in snowy weather. These issues have safety implications, as they can lead to impaired visibility on highways and during snowstorms, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.

Owner complaints33

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report that the 2021 Hyundai Palisade frequently experiences issues with the child safety lock system, which often results in a persistent clicking noise and a "Child Safety Lock Failure" message on the dashboard. These symptoms can occur both while driving and when the vehicle is parked, and they are sometimes accompanied by the rear doors unlocking, posing a safety risk for passengers, particularly children. Complaints also describe problems with the sunroof, where cracking noises and track misalignment prevent it from closing properly, and issues with the rearview mirrors, which fail to adjust correctly. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some owners noting recurring problems despite dealership interventions. There is one report involving a crash, highlighting potential safety implications.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints28

SUSPENSION

Owners report frequent issues with the rear suspension of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, particularly involving the rear shock absorbers and insulators. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as excessive bouncing, popping noises, clunking, and leaking shocks, which are often confirmed by dealerships. These issues often arise between 30,000 and 75,000 miles, with some owners experiencing repeated failures at relatively low mileages. The described symptoms sometimes lead to compromised vehicle stability and control, with some owners expressing concerns about safety risks during driving. Buyers considering a used model should be aware of these recurring suspension problems and the potential need for repairs.

Owner complaints19

ENGINE

Owners report that the 2021 Hyundai Palisade frequently experiences excessive oil consumption, with some stating the vehicle burns more oil than it holds between standard oil change intervals. Typical symptoms include engine stalling, surging, or shutting down unexpectedly, often without warning lights illuminating to indicate low oil levels. Complaints commonly emerge around 60,000 to 90,000 miles, with some owners noting engine failure due to oil consumption. Several reports highlight safety risks such as sudden loss of power while driving, particularly on highways, posing potential hazards to occupants and other motorists. Prospective buyers should be aware of these issues, especially if considering a vehicle with higher mileage.

Owner complaints15

POWER TRAIN

Owners report several powertrain issues with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, most notably excessive oil consumption and premature engine and transmission failures. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as engine knocking, loss of power, jerking, and vibrations, often occurring between 30-35 mph and 50-60 mph. These issues are reported at various mileage ranges, with some engine failures occurring as early as 86,000 miles and transmission failures around 98,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, including sudden loss of power and hesitation during acceleration, which can increase the risk of crashes. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly regarding oil consumption and all-wheel-drive system issues, which are also commonly reported.

Owner complaints12

STEERING

Owners report several steering-related issues with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. Complaints frequently mention the steering wheel seizing, particularly at lower speeds or when coming to a stop, with power steering warning lights often illuminated. Some owners describe a persistent pull to the right, even after alignment attempts, and a few note noises from the steering system, including a sandpaper-like sound or a jerking motion when auto-off reengages. Mileage at the time of these issues varies, with some reports at approximately 250 miles and others at higher mileages around 102,000. Safety implications include difficulty maintaining lane control and potential loss of steering, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Owner complaints7

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade report several issues with the service brakes, primarily involving brake caliper malfunctions and brake pedal responsiveness. Complaints frequently mention frozen rear brake calipers leading to rapid wear of brake pads and rotors, with some owners noting metal-on-metal grinding within a day. Additionally, multiple owners describe intermittent brake pedal softness or lack of proper response, sometimes accompanied by automatic braking due to false forward collision alerts. These issues often arise without any warning lights or system alerts, raising safety concerns about potential brake failure and unexpected vehicle stops. Some reports involve wheel sensor problems contributing to ABS malfunctions and brake skipping, leading to near-miss incidents. These problems are noted across various mileage ranges, with no specific pattern in terms of vehicle age.

Owner complaints2

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Complaints frequently mention that the front passenger airbag may not deploy correctly, inflating upwards rather than toward the passenger, and shattering the windshield, which poses a risk of sending glass into the passenger compartment. Additionally, in severe side-impact collisions, owners describe instances where no airbags, including side airbags, deploy at all. These incidents, which involve significant injuries, suggest potential safety implications for occupants during collisions. Buyers should be aware that these issues are reported without specific mileage patterns, indicating they may occur at various points in the vehicle's lifespan.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

2021 Palisade recalls (6)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2021 Palisade. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. AIR BAGSNHTSA 26V034000Jan 23, 2026

    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."

    Consequence: Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy

    The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 23, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 292. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 24, 2026.

  2. SEAT BELTSNHTSA 25V607000Sep 12, 2025

    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.

    Consequence: Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    Passengers are advised to insert the belt firmly into the buckle with a quick and direct motion, pulling on the belt to confirm the seat belt is fully secured, until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assemblies, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning October 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated February 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 283. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 13, 2025.

  3. VISIBILITY/WIPERNHTSA 23V180000Mar 17, 2023

    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.

    Consequence: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 243. This recall is an expansion of recall number 22V-627.

  4. TRAILER HITCHESNHTSA 22V633000Aug 18, 2022
    Park outside until repaired

    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.

    Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy

    Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 235.

  5. VISIBILITYNHTSA 22V627000Aug 15, 2022

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.

    Consequence: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 233.

  6. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICNHTSA 21V840000Oct 27, 2021

    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.

    Consequence: Reduced braking performance can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy

    Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, and flush the brake fluid, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 212.

Used-market value

2021 Hyundai Palisade resale snapshot

100%estimated value retained after 1 years
13listings in the model-level benchmark

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

2021 Hyundai Palisade on the road

86,282 2021 Hyundai Palisade units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2021 Hyundai Palisade stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Reliability verdict for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade posts a mixed reliability result, landing below the segment average. That gap suggests higher-than-typical buyer exposure to problems relative to peers, rather than a class-leading track record. With an elevated recall count, the model year carries more corrective activity than a limited-recall vehicle.

Complaint patterns show a clear concentration in seat-belt-related concerns, with the remaining reports spread across visibility/wiper, electrical system, suspension, and a sizable “unknown or other” bucket. This mix indicates that while one area dominates, issues are not confined to a single system. As the second year of the generation, it reflects an early-cycle profile rather than a fully settled one.

Overall risk level: moderate, with above-average uncertainty versus the segment.

What you get in a 2021 Hyundai Palisade report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

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2021 Hyundai Palisade — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade reliable?

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade posts a mixed reliability result, landing below the segment average. That gap suggests higher-than-typical buyer exposure to problems relative to peers, rather than a class-leading track record. With an elevated recall count, the model year carries more corrective activity than a limited-recall vehicle.

How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have?

6 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2021 Hyundai Palisade problems?

The most-reported 2021 Hyundai Palisade problem areas are: Seat Belts (90), Unknown Or Other (49), Visibility Wiper (39).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2021 Hyundai Palisade?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2021 Hyundai Palisade, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.