Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade a bad year?
448 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Palisade years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade are in line with other Palisade years. Seat belts stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Palisade owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 50,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat beltsSTANDS OUT | 113 (25%) | 27k–79k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 63 (14%) | 25k–89k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 56 (13%) | 2k–70k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 62 (14%) | 2k–11k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 31 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 25 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 20 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 20 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Trailer hitch | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 50,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 448 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 10 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
118 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade: 6
The side curtain air bags for third-row occupants may deploy improperly in a crash. Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The seat belt buckles in the driver, passenger, and second-row window seats may fail to latch. Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail. Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The brake fluid may be contaminated, which can cause the brake master cylinder inner-cup seals to swell, and reduce braking performance. Reduced braking performance can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 117
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit engine oil leakage at the engine oil filter housing assembly due to deterioration of the housing seal
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
Some vehicles may exhibit a slight coolant leak at the radiator
Diagnose the push button shifter operation
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Inadvertent Seat Belt Unlatch
Windshield Wiper Failure
Neighbouring years
2020 Palisade: 542 complaints, keep it · 2022 Palisade: 320 complaints, keep it.
Every Hyundai Palisade year
2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Palisade years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade a bad year?
448 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Palisade years. At 50,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: seat belts (113), engine (63), electrical system (56), visibility and wipers (62), suspension (31).
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 26V-034), Seat belts (NHTSA 25V-607), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 23V-180), Trailer hitch (NHTSA 22V-633) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.