Self-leveling shocks are bad just over 70,000, when the vehicle is out of warranty. Contacted Hyundai with no assistance. Did my own research and found that it seems to be a known issue with Hyundai Palisades. [XXX] [XXX] Seems ridiculous that a part so expensive without the option for aftermarket parts would be going bad so easily. My safety has not been jeopardized YET; however,…
2020 Hyundai Palisade suspension problems
moderate 59 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
59
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Hyundai Palisade we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 59.
Owners have filed 59 suspension 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2020 Palisade owners report chronic rear self-leveling shock failures starting as early as 20,000 miles, with replacement shocks failing again within months; dealerships refuse warranty coverage outside the bumper-to-bumper period despite Hyundai's awareness via TSB 22-SS-001H. Highway vibration and tire cupping compound the issue, making this a documented design problem that poses real safety and cost risks for used-car buyers.
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade suspension shows a clear pattern of premature failure, particularly in the rear self-leveling shocks. Owners consistently report knocking, clunking, and popping noises starting between 20,000 and 50,000 miles, accompanied by excessive body bounce and rough ride quality. Many report the shocks leaking fluid and losing damping function well before normal wear intervals. What stands out is the recurrence: replacement shocks installed by the dealership fail again within 5,000 to 30,000 miles, prompting owners to conclude the replacement part is identical to the defective original.
Hyundai issued TSB 22-SS-001H acknowledging the rear shock and insulator problem on 2020–2021 Palisades. However, dealerships routinely deny warranty coverage once the vehicle exceeds the 36,000-mile or 3-year warranty period, despite the documented defect. One service writer admitted the issue stems from poor design.
Secondary effects are well-documented: tire cupping and uneven wear directly caused by the failed shocks, driveshaft vibration at highway speeds (64+ mph) for which a TSB exists but dealerships refuse to honor, and loss of vehicle control during braking or turning. One owner with 85,000 miles has replaced shocks three times. Repair costs range from $1,700 to over $6,000, and these are out-of-pocket expenses for owners outside warranty.
Same Hyundai Palisade suspension reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Rear Self-Leveling Shock Failure (Seal/Internal Leakage)
The rear self-leveling shock absorbers fail prematurely due to leaking seals and internal degradation. Owners report fluid leakage from the shocks and loss of damping function, resulting in a rough, bouncy ride with excessive body movement over bumps. This is not a wear-related issue at normal mileage; multiple owners report first failure well under 50,000 miles, with replacement shocks failing again within 5,000-30,000 miles of installation.
When: 21,000–85,000 miles; many first failures occur between 20,000–50,000 miles; replacement shocks fail within 5,000–30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking, clunking, popping, or rattling sounds from the rear, especially over bumps or at low speeds; Excessive bouncing and body sway, particularly in the rear seats; Rough, uncomfortable ride quality that was smooth when new; Visible fluid leakage from the shock and surrounding areas; Reduced vehicle stability and handling control, especially when turning or braking
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacement with OEM shocks; quoted repairs range from $1,700 to $3,000+ per pair or complete assembly replacement. Multiple owners report that replacement shocks are the same defective part and fail again within months or a few thousand miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai issued TSB 22-SS-001H for rear shock/insulator replacement on 2020–2021 Palisades. However, owners report the dealership and Hyundai corporate refuse to honor the TSB once the vehicle is out of warranty (typically after 36,000–50,000 miles or 3–5 years), despite the part clearly being defective. One owner was told the dealer had 'already replaced them a year ago' and refused to investigate why they failed again.
Rear Shock Mount and Insulator Disintegration
The rubber upper insulator pads and shock mounting hardware deteriorate and fail. Owners report the rubber covering disintegrating, and mounting components becoming loose or detached. This creates instability in the suspension geometry and allows excessive movement of the shock body within the mount.
When: 20,000–57,000 miles; one owner reported failure at 20,000 miles and again at 57,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or creaking noises from the rear suspension, especially when driving or pressing the suspension; Vehicle instability and rough handling; Squeaky or rattling sounds from shock mounting area; Concerns about shock mount detachment from frame
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaces insulator pads and/or mounting hardware. Costs not detailed in complaints, but owners note parts are expensive and labor-intensive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai has acknowledged this as a known issue via TSB 22-SS-001H. One dealership service writer confirmed the issue is due to 'poor design.' Warranty coverage varies; one owner had it replaced within warranty but again at 57,000 miles outside warranty.
Driveshaft/Powertrain Vibration at Highway Speeds
Vehicle exhibits a pronounced vibration throughout the steering wheel, seat, and floor beginning at approximately 64–65 mph and increasing with speed. The vibration is consistent and reproducible. Some owners cannot determine whether the root cause is driveshaft, transmission, or another powertrain component. One owner reports a TSB has been issued for this issue, but the dealership refuses to honor it.
When: Occurs at highway speeds (64–65 mph and above); one owner reported the problem starting on the drive home from the dealership with a new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration at speeds above 63–65 mph; Vibration in the seat and floor; Vibration intensifies or remains constant depending on speed; Problem present every time the vehicle reaches the threshold speed
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports a TSB exists for this issue but the dealership refused to diagnose or repair the problem, stating they do not have to honor the TSB. The owner was offered appointments 2–6 weeks in the future.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai has issued a TSB for the vibration issue, but dealerships have refused to acknowledge or honor it. Hyundai corporate was unresponsive to the owner's inquiries.
Tire Cupping and Uneven Wear (Secondary to Suspension Failure)
Owners report excessive tire wear and cupping (scalloped edges) on the tire treads. Dealers and independent shops confirm the wear pattern is directly caused by the failed rear suspension components. The uneven wear occurs while the vehicle is under warranty and with the original tires, suggesting the suspension issue is the primary cause rather than tire quality or driving habits.
When: 16,000–57,000 miles; wear detected while under warranty or shortly after
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding or noise from tires, especially in wet conditions; Visible cupping (scalloped wear) on tire treads; Uneven wear across three or four tires; Tire noise in the rain more pronounced than on dry pavement
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement; one owner had a lifetime alignment benefit but the issue persisted, suggesting the root cause (failed shocks) was not addressed. Alignment alone does not resolve the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No direct manufacturer response documented; dealers have diagnosed the failure as tire cupping or wheel bearing wear (secondary issues) rather than addressing the underlying suspension failure.
Front Strut and Stabilizer Link Noise/Instability
A smaller subset of owners report front strut and stabilizer link failures characterized by knocking, creaking, or rattling noises over smooth roads and minor road imperfections. The instability and noise are similar in character to the rear shock issues but affect the front suspension.
When: Under 50,000 miles for initial replacement; one owner had front struts replaced and reported recurring noise after 27,000 miles on second replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking or creaking noises over smooth roads and minor bumps; Audible rattling from front suspension; Vehicle instability, especially at low speeds and in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacement of struts and/or stabilizer links.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific TSB or manufacturer acknowledgment documented for front suspension issues in these complaints.
Synthesized from 59 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 59 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 59 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 16,000 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.