2020 Hyundai Palisade Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Hyundai Palisade has a complaint index of 60, ranking 3rd worst out of 6 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 536 complaints, 5 recalls, 13 crashes, 7 fires, and 16 injuries for this year, with engine problems the top complaint area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #3 of 6 Palisade years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 536
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 16
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 16 / 0
Top 2020 Hyundai Palisade problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine146 (27%)
- Visibility & Wipers130 (24%)
- Other86 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires65 (12%)
- Structure & Body52 (10%)
- Seat Belts51 (10%)
- Electrical System45 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain40 (7%)
- Airbags25 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras20 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe airbags that failed to deploy during crashes, including front, curtain, and side-impact bags.
- Some drivers report the vehicle suddenly surging or accelerating on its own while parked or stopped at low speed, leading to collisions.
- Windshield wipers reportedly seized or failed during snowy or wet conditions, causing loss of visibility.
- One owner reported the steering column sheering off after a low-speed rear-end collision, disconnecting the steering wheel.
- A fire was reported starting on the front driver's side while the vehicle sat unoccupied in a closed garage.
- Automatic emergency braking reportedly activated unexpectedly on the freeway and in parking lots with no obstacles present.
2020 Hyundai Palisade recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V034000Jan 22, 2026Airbags568,576 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain
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."
Risk: Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective film over the rear window and remove padding, as necessary free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Final remedy owner letters will be mailed in phases, beginning in June 2026 and expected to continue through December 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.
- NHTSA 25V607000Sep 11, 2025Seat Belts568,580 vehicles
Seat belts: rear/other:buckle assembly
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.
Risk: 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. Final remedy owner letters will be mailed in phases, beginning in June 2026 and expected to continue through December 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.
- NHTSA 22V633000Aug 18, 2022Structure & Body244,980 vehiclesPark Outside
Trailer hitches
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.
Risk: 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.
2020 Hyundai Palisade fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Palisade years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade reliable?
- Compared with other Palisade years, 2020 has a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 60, ranking 3rd worst of 6 years tracked. NHTSA lists 536 complaints and 5 recalls for this year.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
- NHTSA data shows engine complaints make up 27% of reports, followed by visibility and wiper issues at 24% and suspension, wheels, and tires at 12%. Engine-related complaints had a median failure mileage of 25,000.
- Does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 Palisade covering airbags, seat belt buckles, tow hitch harness debris and fire risk, and windshield wiper motor failure.
- How does the 2020 Palisade compare to other model years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 60 is higher than 2021 (40), 2022 (0), and 2023 (20), but lower than 2024 (100) and 2025 (80), both of which carry Avoid verdicts.
- Are there airbag deployment problems reported on the 2020 Palisade?
- Yes, multiple owners reported airbags failing to deploy during crashes, and NHTSA has issued two separate airbag-related recalls covering 2020 model year vehicles.