Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Hyundai Palisade body problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Palisade (this page) | 24 |
| 2021 Palisade | 15 |
| 2022 Palisade | 9 |
| 2023 Palisade | 8 |
| 2024 Palisade | 9 |
2injuries
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Hyundai Palisade we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 24.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
On certain Palisade (LX2) vehicles, the sunroof wind deflector may fail and cause damage to the sunroof mechanism. The sunroof may become inoperable and stuck in the open, partially open, or closed position. This bulletin describes the procedure to replace the sunroof wind deflector and sunroof mechanisms with revised parts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2020 â 2022MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may have been produced with a rough edge on the front door lower garnishes during manufacturing. This bulletin describes the procedure to repair the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2020 â 2022MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may have been produced with a rough edge on the front door lower garnishes during manufacturing. This bulletin describes the procedure to repair the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin describes the procedure to replace the inside belt molding and attach pads to the side view mirror seal, side view mirror hole, and glass run on certain Palisade vehicles experiencing wind and/or whistling noise while driving.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Wind noise from front doors ranks as the most common complaint in this cluster. Owners describe persistent whistling, whooshing, and humming from driver and passenger door seals starting at 30 mph and worsening at highway speeds. The noise is loud enough to be distracting and makes hearing emergency sirens difficult. Hyundai issued a service bulletin acknowledging the issue, then retracted it without guidance; dealers now refuse to repair without an active bulletin.
Paint peeling is the second major issue. Multiple owners report large-area paint failure down to bare metal with zero impact damage. One owner had her hood repainted by the selling dealer in October 2024 only to see it peel again by February 2025 in the same spot. Technicians at both dealers and Autonation confirmed improper primer application as the root cause and warned that repainting won't fix it. Hyundai has a recall for paint defects, but only for certain colors—not blue.
Rear liftgate and sunroof problems round out the serious failures. Liftgate strut housings crack, causing power failure and creating a hazard from powerful springs potentially ejecting from the housing. One owner's right strut was replaced under warranty, then the left one failed. Sunroof wind deflectors jam in the track during closure, breaking the glass panel and rendering the sunroof inoperable.
Other reported issues include spontaneous windshield cracking without impact, interior odors in higher-trim models that intensify rather than fade, and door edges sharp enough to lacerate occupants—a defect that wasn't corrected by the recall repair.
Same Hyundai Palisade body reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Paint peeling and failure
Paint peeling from body panels down to bare metal, often in large chunks, with poor primer adhesion. Occurs on hoods, lift gates, roofs, and rims with no impact damage.
When: Within months to 1-2 years of ownership; one owner reported paint failing in same spot after dealer repaint in October 2024 by February 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Paint peeling in large chunks; Multiple spots with 2+ feet of missing paint; Paint peeling down to bare metal; Peeling on hood, lift gate, roof, and rim finishes; Paint failure recurring in same area after repaint
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had hood repainted by Autonation in October 2024; paint began peeling again by February 2025 in the same spot. Multiple technicians confirmed primer was not applied properly, making repaint ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai has issued a recall for paint defects on certain colors, but not blue. No coverage or repair offered to affected owners.
Door and window wind noise and seal failure
Persistent whistling, whooshing, and humming noise from front driver and passenger doors/windows at highway speeds, attributed to improper door seals allowing wind infiltration.
When: Occurs at 30+ mph, worsens at 50+ mph and highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whistling or whooshing noise from driver and passenger doors; High-pitched whistles from window areas; Noise at speeds as low as 30-40 mph, increasing at highway speeds; Distracting and potentially safety-hazardous noise levels; Noise occurs with cross winds and at sustained highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have acknowledged the issue and confirmed it via service bulletins. One service bulletin was later retracted with no replacement guidance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai issued a service bulletin for this issue, but later retracted it with no follow-up plan. Dealers refuse to repair without an active service bulletin.
Sunroof wind deflector and panel failure
Wind deflector lodges in sunroof track during closure, breaking and causing glass panel misalignment and inability to close fully. Glass panel removal may be required, rendering sunroof inoperable.
When: Timing not specified; owner notes this is reported as a common occurrence for this year and model
Symptoms owners cite: Wind deflector becomes lodged in sunroof track; Deflector breakage during sunroof closure; Sunroof glass panel shifts out of alignment; Sunroof will not close fully; Sunroof leaks when closed partially; Sunroof becomes inoperable after manual repositioning of glass
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually slid glass panel into closed position to prevent further damage; sunroof is now inoperable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or confirmation; owner requests this issue be resolved as a potential hazard.
Rear liftgate function failure
Power liftgate will not close fully or malfunctions, operating only partially or becoming stuck. May be caused by plastic component breakage in support struts.
When: Occurs within ownership period; one owner reported strut failure within first year and again in second year
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate will not close more than halfway down; Liftgate fails to respond to remote, dash switch, or manual operation; Liftgate falls without warning after being raised; Power liftgate is intermittently inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had right-side strut replaced under warranty; left-side strut subsequently failed. Plastic housing cracks prevent strut function and risk spring ejection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty covered first strut replacement; subsequent failures reported but coverage status unclear.
Liftgate strut housing cracks and spring hazard
Plastic housings of rear liftgate support struts crack, causing loss of function and creating risk of powerful internal springs popping out and striking the operator.
When: Within ownership period; one owner reported right-side failure, then left-side failure within one year
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks develop in plastic strut housings; Loss of power liftgate function; Risk of spring ejection from housing; Potential injury hazard from spring release
Repairs/costs cited: Struts require replacement. Owner replaced right-side strut under warranty; left-side strut subsequently failed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First strut replacement covered under warranty.
Moonroof glass spontaneous failure
Moonroof glass panel shatters spontaneously while driving with no external impact or damage reported.
When: At 26,721 miles on vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Front moonroof glass scattered suddenly; Failure occurred at approximately 45 mph while driving; No visible external impact or damage
Windshield defect and rapid crack propagation
Windshield develops cracks without impact evidence, or cracks expand rapidly after minor debris contact. Glass professional indicated manufacturing defect rather than impact damage.
When: Within two weeks of purchase; rapid expansion occurs after minor debris strike
Symptoms owners cite: Crack develops in windshield center below rear-view mirror; No evidence of impact damage per glass professional; Crack expands rapidly after minor rock/debris strike; Crack expansion occurs in short time period
Repairs/costs cited: Safelite manager provided written opinion that glass defect rather than impact was cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai corporate refused warranty coverage, stating no proof of defect existed.
Interior odor linked to materials off-gassing
Strong interior odor present in new vehicle, particularly models with Nappa leather seats, causing headaches and health concerns. Odor intensifies rather than dissipates with airing out.
When: Present immediately on test drive and delivery; intensifies after first night in garage
Symptoms owners cite: Very strong interior odor resembling carpet cleaner or disinfectant; Odor present on test drive and delivery; Headaches occurring in both buyer and spouse from odor exposure; Odor intensifies rather than dissipates with time and airing; Odor reportedly tied to higher-end models with Nappa leather seats; Owner notes health concerns about materials and products used
Repairs/costs cited: Owner aerated vehicle and applied natural air freshener with no lasting effect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai reportedly made aware of widespread issue but has not responded or taken action.
Door edge sharp edge and laceration hazard
Door edge sharp or poorly finished, causing laceration to occupant's leg when exiting vehicle. Issue was not properly corrected after recall repair.
When: Occurred before and after recall repair (repair completed 04/07/2022)
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp door edge causes gash and laceration to calf when exiting; Issue recurs after recall repair, suggesting repair was not properly completed
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired by Doug's Hyundai on 04/07/2022; issue recurred after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall was issued to address this issue, but repair by authorized dealer was ineffective.
Blind-spot collision warning system malfunction
Blind-spot warning indicator activates with false alerts, especially immediately after purchase with very low mileage.
When: At approximately 500 miles on vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Warning indicator activates: 'CHECK BLIND-SPOT COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM'; Warnings occur after 10 minutes of driving; Warnings activate with no vehicles present or in blind spot; Warning persists even when vehicle is parked and stopped
Plastic trim and mirror sun damage degradation
Plastic exterior trim including rear-view mirrors and spoiler components degrade and fail from sun exposure, combined with paint failure on associated panels.
When: Within 2-3 years of ownership; damage noted in 2023 on 2020 model
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic rear-view mirrors fail and degrade; Rear lift gate spoiler plastic fails; Black trim on spoiler sides degrades; Paint failure on rear lift gate and roof; Paint failure around moonroof; Damage and defect extent abnormal for timeframe
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai has issued recall for paint defects on certain colors, but not blue. Manufacturer denied warranty coverage citing expiration, despite defects occurring and being reported within warranty period.
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
There is a very loud whistling noise at the drivers door when driving at highway speeds with a right to left crosswind. I discovered this on a 2000 mile trip I took recently, and my ears are still ringing two weeks later. I may have hearing loss.
Intermittent whistling sound and excessive wind noise. Appears to originate from the front driver and passenger doors/windows. This makes driving very uncomfortable at speeds over 50 MPH
Had body trouble with your 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 24 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 6,080 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Hyundai/Palisade.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.