This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Hyundai Palisade powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have filed 37 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Palisade (this page) | 37 |
| 2021 Palisade | 19 |
| 2022 Palisade | 14 |
| 2023 Palisade | 32 |
| 2024 Palisade | 8 |
1crash
1fire
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Hyundai Palisade we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 37.
Owners have filed 37 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an 8-speed front-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with automatic transaxle with one or more of the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition. ⢠DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES: ⢠P070500 - Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction ⢠P070512 - Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction ⢠P070514 - Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction ⢠P07051C - Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction ⢠P070600 - Transmission range sensor circuit range/performance ⢠P070661 - Transmission range sensor circuit range/performance ⢠P070696 - Transmission range sensor circuit range/performance ⢠SYMPTOMS: ⢠Malfunctio
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an 8-speed vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed, follow the service procedure and replace the related solenoid and harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the immobilizer software upgrade, window decals and steering wheel lock ant-theft solutions available from
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a pattern of severe powertrain defects appearing early in ownership. The most common complaint is excessive oil consumption—0.75 to 3 quarts per 1,000 miles—causing white smoke from the exhaust and engine shutdown without warning. Dealerships confirmed the problem via oil consumption tests but Hyundai denied warranty claims, forcing owners to pay thousands out of pocket or accept partial reimbursement. Some vehicles have received engine replacements, yet the underlying failure mode remains unresolved.
Transmission failures are equally frequent. Owners report slipping, shuddering, metal grinding, hard shifts, and complete loss of power while accelerating or merging onto highways. Several vehicles needed transmission replacement before 100k miles; one dealership reported five transmissions on its lot needing replacement simultaneously. New transmissions installed by the dealer sometimes arrived defective.
Multiple owners experienced sudden, complete loss of engine power while driving—one at 65 mph on a highway, another on an interstate at 185k miles. One vehicle caught fire after power loss. Shifter malfunctions cause the transmission to lock in park or a single gear without warning, stranding the driver mid-traffic. Driveline vibrations at highway speeds persist despite tire and driveshaft replacement. Hyundai service consistently denies problems when no diagnostic code appears, leaving owners without recourse despite symptoms and obvious safety risks. Warranty claims are routinely denied or delayed, and corporate response is fragmented across case numbers with poor dealership coordination.
Same Hyundai Palisade powertrain reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns oil at rates far above normal (0.75-3 quarts per 1,000 miles reported), with white smoke from exhaust and low oil levels between services. Multiple owners report the engine consuming more oil than the manufacturer's own 'acceptable' threshold of 1 quart per 1,000 miles. Oil consumption tests conducted by dealerships confirmed the defect, yet warranty claims were denied or delayed. Some vehicles have run completely out of oil mid-drive.
When: Occurring from early ownership through high mileage; reported at 27k, 46k, 76k-100k, 185k miles, and ongoing at 3,700 miles after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke or plumes from exhaust, especially after stoplight or slow acceleration; Oil level dropping between services despite no visible external leaks; Engine knocking or rattling at idle; Metallic shavings and gas smell on dipstick; Engine shutdown due to oil starvation with no low-oil warning light activated; Burning smell
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships performed combustion chamber cleaning, oil consumption tests (requiring multiple visits and oil changes), and some engine replacements. Hyundai denied warranty claims citing missing oil-change records; some owners paid $500-$6,000+ out of pocket. Oil plug and boot joint leaks also found on some engines after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai conducted multi-part oil consumption tests and set an 'acceptable' threshold of 1 quart per 1,000 miles. Warranty claims often denied or delayed; some owners offered 50% cost coverage on repairs. No official recall issued for Palisade despite same engine having recalls in other models (e.g., Santa Fe).
Transmission slipping, shuddering, and loss of power
Multiple owners report transmission slipping between gears, violent shuddering, metal grinding sounds after replacement, hard shifting, gear skipping, and intermittent loss of power when accelerating. Some vehicles required transmission replacement under 100,000 miles; one dealer reported five transmissions on their lot needing replacement. Symptoms include RPM surging, hesitation, jerking, and slow acceleration response.
When: Occurring at mileage ranging from 76k to 99k miles; some failures within days of new transmission installation
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slip or shudder between 40-60 mph and at highway speeds; Violent shaking when accelerating; Metal grinding or grinding sounds from transmission; Hard shifting, gear skipping, delayed downshift; RPM surge and drop, hesitation before acceleration; Vehicle jerking and lurching; unable to accelerate properly when gas pedal pressed; Engine seizing when accelerating; No warning lights or codes despite symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid flushed (revealing metal shavings and chunks); transmission replaced multiple times on same vehicles. One vehicle received two replacement transmissions in 24 hours due to initial unit being faulty. Transmission adaptive resets attempted but ineffective. Owners report out-of-pocket costs for fluid flushes and paid full transmission replacements after warranty denial.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai supplied replacement transmissions, but some were defective upon arrival. No recalls or technical service bulletins mentioned. Dealerships unable to duplicate problem during test drives; no diagnostic codes generated.
Complete engine failure and loss of power while driving
Owners report sudden, complete loss of engine power at highway speeds or while merging, with the vehicle stalling and losing all electrical systems including power steering and braking. One vehicle caught fire after power loss. Most incidents involved no warning lights or were preceded only by oil consumption or burning. One owner experienced three major powertrain failures (two transmissions, one engine) in five years; another had an engine replacement at 27k miles (second transmission) and needs a third transmission at 85k.
When: Reported across wide mileage range: 27k miles (second owner), 40k miles, 65-75 mph highway driving, 92k miles, 150k miles, 185k miles interstate
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt, complete loss of engine power while driving; Engine stalling with no prior warning lights in some cases, all dashboard lights illuminating in others; Excessive oil consumption preceding failure; Smoke and burning odor from engine bay; Vehicle slowing despite accelerator input; Loss of power steering and braking capability
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacements performed; one vehicle received new engine but then required third transmission. Owners report $500+ diagnostic charges and partial or denied coverage from Hyundai despite known defect. One vehicle required complete engine replacement; repair shops charged out-of-pocket costs ranging from hundreds to thousands.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai offered 50% cost coverage in one case (later declined by owner), but denied claims in others. No recalls issued. Dealerships charged diagnostic fees and delayed resolution for months (one case 8 months). Hyundai corporate response described as 'extremely difficult to work with' with multiple case numbers and poor internal coordination.
Sudden unintended acceleration and surge
Vehicle surges without driver input, especially when braking or stopping. One vehicle jumped a sidewalk, demolished a concrete bench, and nearly entered a bank entrance. Another owner reported the vehicle surging to 5,000 RPM while attempting to stop in a parking lot. Incidents recur at intervals (one owner experienced 3-4 surges over several years). Hyundai service denies problems despite symptoms and online reports suggesting Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) issues.
When: Occurring sporadically over vehicle ownership; one vehicle had 3-4 incidents in approximately 5+ years; another at <40k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected engine surge to high RPM (5,000 RPM reported) without driver input; Vehicle jumping forward while stopped or attempting to stop; No warning lights or indicators before surge; Recurrent incidents without pattern
Repairs/costs cited: Hyundai service checked vehicle and 'denied any problems.' No repairs performed. Online complaints suggest Electronic Throttle Control or throttle position sensor issues, but manufacturers did not confirm or address.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai service refused to acknowledge the problem despite multiple incidents and customer complaint. No diagnostic work or repair offered.
Shifter/gear selector malfunction and loss of gear engagement
Intermittent failures of the gear selector system cause the vehicle to forcibly shift to park while in motion, become stuck in gear (e.g., 5th gear), fail to downshift, or lose all gear engagement entirely. Some incidents occur at low speed (parking lots, backing up); others at highway speeds. Symptoms appear randomly and warning lights do not illuminate or codes do not register, making diagnosis difficult.
When: Incidents reported across mileage range; one at <72k miles, others at highway speeds during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, uncontrolled shift to park while vehicle in motion; Transmission stuck in high gear (5th gear) with inability to downshift; Complete loss of gear engagement (neutral, unable to shift to any gear); Gear selector warning message: 'Gear Selector Malfunction' or 'Shifter System Malfunction: Service Immediately'; Inability to shift with error messages, then clearing after cycle off/on; Slow acceleration when stuck in high gear due to gear ratio mismatch
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to locate problem because no codes register. Temporary fix: cycle vehicle off and on; issue clears until next failure. No permanent repair described. One case involved engine replacement and subsequent shifter issues; another required new coil pack and spark plugs, though dealer could not guarantee fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to diagnose due to lack of diagnostic codes. No service bulletins or recalls mentioned. Hyundai corporate escalation mentioned in one case but no resolution reported.
Driveline/transmission vibration at highway speeds
Severe low-frequency vibration at highway speeds (64-75 mph) that sounds like driving over a rumble strip. Vibration worsens below 75 mph. Dealership repairs included tire balancing, replacement of front and rear tires, and driveshaft replacement, but did not completely eliminate the vibration. Another vehicle experienced vibration that persisted despite tire balancing, 4-wheel alignment, and driveshaft replacement.
When: Occurring at highway speeds (64-75 mph); reported at or near time of purchase for one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Severe low-frequency vibration and rumbling at highway speeds; Vibration lessens above 75 mph; Persistent despite multiple tire and component replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Tire balancing, tire replacement (front and rear), rear driveshaft replacement. One owner waiting for Hyundai corporate buyback decision. Dealer stated 'they have done all they can' after driveshaft replacement and alignment did not resolve.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai corporate escalation for buyback consideration in one case; no resolution reported in others.
Loss of electrical power and battery connection issue
One owner experienced complete loss of electrical power when a battery cable came loose, immobilizing the vehicle at a traffic light. Once the battery cable was reconnected, the vehicle started but began rolling backward with no way to shift gears (shifting requires electrical power). This created a safety hazard: the vehicle was a potential runaway with no brake control if the driver could not reach it in time.
When: Occurred while vehicle stopped at red light
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of electrical power: no dashboard lights, warning lights, or ability to start; Battery cable came loose; Vehicle unable to shift gears due to electronic shifter requiring electrical power; Vehicle rolled backward uncontrollably after ignition restarted
Repairs/costs cited: Battery cable tightened; no additional repairs described. Concern raised that vehicle with dead battery or loose cable cannot be shifted to neutral, trapping driver if parked in garage or highway.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer involvement described.
Moisture intrusion and electrical failure in wet conditions
Vehicle goes into limp mode and stalls during heavy rainstorms, rendering it undriveable. Check engine light activates; condition clears after vehicle sits and dries for a day. Dealership attributed issue to moisture entering coil pack, recommending replacement of coil pack and spark plugs for $1,700 without warranty coverage despite vehicle being under powertrain warranty.
When: Occurring during and after heavy downpour rainstorms
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates during heavy rain; Vehicle enters limp mode and loses power, becoming essentially stranded; Condition resolves after drying out (sitting overnight)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recommended coil pack and spark plug replacement at $1,700 cost, not covered under warranty despite vehicle being under powertrain warranty. Dealership could not guarantee repair would resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai corporate case escalation mentioned but no resolution reported.
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
It's a meaningful issue. 37 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 37 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 85,667 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.