2021 Hyundai Palisade Safety Report
2021 Hyundai Palisade: Excellent crash ratings, but significant recalls and complaints for seat belts, wipers, and engine issues.
AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Reliability Score
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
Known Issues for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belt Buckle Failure Seat belt buckles in driver, passenger, and second-row window seats may fail to latch, increasing injury risk in a crash. Subject to recall. |
High | Common | all miles |
| Excessive Oil Consumption/Engine Failure Engines burning significant amounts of oil, leading to vibrations, stalling, and eventual engine failure. Many complaints report this issue. |
High | Common | 30000-100000+ miles |
| Windshield Wiper Motor Failure Wiper motor may operate intermittently or fail completely due to snow/ice buildup or general malfunction, reducing visibility. Subject to two recalls. |
Medium | Occasional | all miles |
| Trailer Hitch Fire Risk Tow hitch harness may pose a fire risk while parked or driving. Subject to recall. |
High | Rare | all miles |
| Improper Side Curtain Airbag Deployment Third-row side curtain airbags may deploy improperly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Subject to recall. |
High | Rare | all miles |
| Reduced Braking Performance Contaminated brake fluid can cause master cylinder seals to swell, reducing braking. Subject to recall. |
High | Rare | all miles |
| Transmission Issues (Jerking, Hesitation) Vehicle experiences jerking, hesitation, and loss of smooth acceleration, often at specific RPMs or speeds, indicating transmission malfunction. |
Medium | Occasional | 30000-70000 miles |
| Power Steering Assist Loss Intermittent loss of power steering assist, often accompanied by warning lights and inoperable headlights/turn signals. |
High | Rare | all miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade:
Frequent reports of seat belt buckles failing to latch, particularly in front and middle rows, leading to a recall.
A significant number of complaints fall into a general category, indicating diverse issues not fitting specific component classifications.
Issues with windshield wipers failing or operating intermittently, leading to two separate recalls.
Numerous complaints about excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, and eventual engine failure.
Reports of various electrical malfunctions, sometimes linked to power steering loss or warning lights.
Complaints of thumping noises from the rear suspension, often related to faulty shock insulators.
Concerns regarding the trailer hitch harness posing a fire risk, resulting in a recall.
Issues related to transmission performance, including jerking, hesitation, and slipping.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade safe?
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade received excellent 5-star overall safety ratings from NHTSA, including 5 stars for frontal and side impacts. However, it has been subject to 6 recalls addressing critical safety components like airbags, seat belts, and brakes. There are also 371 consumer complaints, with 8 injuries reported, indicating some real-world safety concerns, particularly regarding seat belt functionality and potential engine issues.
What are common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
The most reported issues for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade are related to SEAT BELTS (90 complaints), often concerning buckles failing to latch, and ENGINE (24 complaints), frequently detailing excessive oil consumption and engine failure. Other common problems include VISIBILITY/WIPER issues (40 complaints) and various ELECTRICAL SYSTEM malfunctions (23 complaints).
Has the 2021 Hyundai Palisade been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade has been subject to 6 recalls. These include recalls for improper side curtain airbag deployment, seat belt buckles failing to latch, windshield wiper motor failure (two separate recalls), a fire risk from the trailer hitch harness, and reduced braking performance due to contaminated brake fluid.
Are there engine problems with the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Yes, there are significant engine problems reported for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. NHTSA data shows 24 complaints related to the ENGINE, with many owners detailing excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, and eventual engine failure, sometimes at relatively low mileage. While there isn't a specific recall for these engine issues, the pattern of complaints is concerning.
How does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade performed exceptionally well in NHTSA crash tests, earning a 5-star overall safety rating. It received 5 stars for both frontal crash and side crash tests, and a 4-star rating for rollover resistance.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: While the 2021 Hyundai Palisade has strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the numerous recalls and significant complaints, especially concerning seat belts and engine oil consumption. Ensure all recalls have been addressed and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine health and transmission performance.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Hyundai Palisade
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The data includes 371 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 8 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Hyundai Palisade an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.