CarBrief

NHTSA has 541 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade[1]. It also has 5 recalls on file, and the two newest ones are still having their final remedies rolled out to owners[2][3][4].

541owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
21–22MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

Of the 541 complaints on file, 13 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 16 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components. The counts below are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints
Engine[7] 139
Visibility/wiper[8] 115
Unknown or other[9] 86
Suspension[10] 61
Seat belts[11] 51
Electrical system[12] 46
Power train[13] 40
Structure[14] 26

We also read a small sample of owner complaint texts for four of these groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.

The 86 "unknown or other" complaints include 4 that mention crashes and 3 injuries[9]. The group is too vague for us to say what owners are reporting there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists these recalls for the 2020 Palisade, newest first. The two newest cover a very large number of vehicles. Use the recall number on NHTSA.gov or call Hyundai at 1-855-371-9460 to check a specific car[3].

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.8L 6-cylinder engine with an automatic (S8) and regular fuel[18][5].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
All-wheel drive[18] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
Front-wheel drive[5] 19 / 26 / 22 $3,050

The EPA fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates both the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions at 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal and 5 stars side[6][19]. Rollover is 4 stars for both[6][19]. NHTSA lists rollover risk at 14.3% for all-wheel drive[6] and 15.9% for front-wheel drive[19].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 3.8L 6-cylinder at 291 hp[20]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive
Length[21][22] 196 in 196 in
Width[21][22] 78 in 78 in
Height[21][22] 69 in 69 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 114 in 114 in
Curb weight[21][22] 4,314 lb 4,145 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

2020: 541 complaints, 5 recalls54120202021: 446 complaints, 6 recalls20212022: 315 complaints, 5 recalls20222023: 408 complaints, 5 recalls20232024: 395 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 252 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 130 complaints, 3 recalls20262027: 5 complaints, 0 recalls2027
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Palisade model year. The 2020 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20205415
20214466
20223155
20234085
20243955
20252523
20261303
202750

The 2020 model year has the most complaints of any Palisade year on file at NHTSA, with 541[2]. The next highest are 2021 with 446, 2023 with 408 and 2024 with 395[2]. The 2020 year has 5 recalls[2]. That is one fewer than 2021, which has 6, and the same as 2022, 2023 and 2024[2].

These counts are not adjusted for sales. A higher number for 2020 does not by itself mean the car is worse, because the counts are not adjusted for sales[2].

Should you buy a used 2020 Palisade?

The 2020 Palisade has more complaints than any other Palisade model year, and it carries five recalls[2]. Before buying, run the VIN on NHTSA.gov and ask for proof that the recall work has been done. The two newest recalls have final remedies that are still rolling out, so a car may not be fixed yet[3][4]. Owners in the sample we read describe oil loss, rear suspension noise, windshield cracks and hard-to-use seat belt buckles, so ask the seller about those and ask a mechanic to check them[7][8][10][11]. On the plus side, NHTSA gives 5 stars overall[6][19] and the EPA rates it at 21 to 22 combined MPG[18][5].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 139 of the 541 complaints on file, followed by visibility/wiper with 115[1][7][8]. In the samples we read, owners describe engine oil loss, windshield cracks, rear suspension noise and hard-to-latch seat belts[7][8][10][11].
Does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls, covering third-row curtain air bags, seat belt buckles, a tow hitch harness, a wiper motor and air bag mounting bolts[2][3][4][15][16][17]. The remedies for the two newest are still being rolled out[3][4].
How many miles per gallon does a 2020 Hyundai Palisade get?
The EPA rates the all-wheel drive version at 21 combined MPG and the front-wheel drive version at 22 combined MPG[18][5].
Is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade safe?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover[6][19]. The car also has recalls that involve air bags and seat belts, so check that they have been done[3][4][17].
Is 2020 a bad year for the Palisade?
2020 has the most complaints of any Palisade year on file, with 541, but those counts are not adjusted for sales[2]. It has 5 recalls, one fewer than 2021[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 541 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade (13 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Palisade model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 26V034, filed January 22, 2026: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 25V607, filed September 11, 2025: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Palisade FWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 139 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 115 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,364). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 86 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,162). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 61 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 51 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 46 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 40 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 26 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 500). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 22V633, filed August 18, 2022: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 22V627, filed August 15, 2022: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 19V802, filed November 7, 2019: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for Palisade AWD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2020 Hyundai Palisade with 3.8L 6-cylinder: rated 291 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PALISADE 4DR SUV AWD: length 196 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,314 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PALISADE 4DR SUV FWD: length 196 in, width 78 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 4,145 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.