This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all new wiper blades.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Hyundai Palisade visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have filed 115 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 5,860 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
115
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Palisade (this page) | 115 |
| 2021 Palisade | 53 |
| 2022 Palisade | 42 |
| 2023 Palisade | 59 |
| 2024 Palisade | 9 |
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 115 visibility complaints filed for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Hyundai Palisade we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 115.
Owners have filed 115 visibility 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 visibility 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 malfunction and cause damage to the sunroof mechanism. The sunroof may be inoperable and become 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 ↗This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2020-2021MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may experience reduced A/C performance due to an out of specification A/C compressor pulley and hub assembly. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to inspect and determine whether to replace the compressor assembly or only the pulley using the service kit.
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
The 2020 Palisade has a documented windshield durability problem. Owners consistently describe rapid crack propagation from minimal impact—a pebble strike at 20–35 mph, or impact so light they don't hear it, triggers a crack that spreads 1–3 feet within minutes to hours. Some cracks appear without any audible impact while the vehicle sits parked. Glass repair shops refuse to work on Palisade windshields because they spread too easily. Multiple owners have had three or four replacements in under a year, with costs around $2,100 per replacement; Hyundai denies warranty coverage. Notably, sister company Kia proactively recalled and covers the Telluride (which uses similar glass) while Hyundai has issued no recall.
Windshield wiper failures occur primarily in cold and snowy conditions. Motors seize, overheat, or shut down without warning lights during precipitation, leaving drivers without wipers on highways. A recall (22V627000) addressed wiper arm replacement, but parts availability was delayed and the fix was ineffective in reported cases. Additionally, snow and ice accumulate at the wiper base in a way the hood design does not prevent; owners must repeatedly stop to clear the buildup manually even when pre-cleared before driving. Two cases of sunroof glass detachment or shattering with no clear impact also appear in narratives, though fewer in number.
Same Hyundai Palisade visibility reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield brittle/weak—spontaneous cracking and rapid propagation from minor impacts
Windshields crack and spread rapidly from pebble strikes, small chips, or impacts that normally would not cause damage. Cracks propagate across the entire windshield within minutes to hours, or spontaneously without any audible impact. Occurs even on low-speed driving (20–35 mph) or while vehicle is stationary. Multiple incidents reported within months of ownership.
When: 3,000 to 15,000 miles; within days to weeks of purchase; some spontaneous without audible impact
Symptoms owners cite: Small pebble or rock strike triggers large spider-web or linear crack; Crack spreads 1–3 feet within minutes to hours; Crack visible on windshield edge with no recalled impact sound; Spontaneous cracks forming at windshield edges while parked; Multiple replacements in short timeframe (2–4 in under 12 months)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple OEM and third-party windshield replacements at cost of ~$2,100 per replacement; glass repair shops refuse to work on Palisade windshields due to tendency to spread. Owners note Kia Telluride sister model received proactive recall and coverage; Hyundai has not.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai denied warranty coverage on grounds that impact damage is not covered. No recall issued for windshield defect. Kia proactively covering Telluride windshield issues; Hyundai has not done same for Palisade. Class action lawsuit filed against Hyundai.
Windshield wiper motor failure in cold/snow conditions
Wiper motor seizes, becomes inoperable, or shuts down during snow, sleet, rain, or cold weather driving. No warning light illuminates. Motor may overheat and require cool-down period of 3–4 minutes before resuming operation. Some narratives suggest ice/snow buildup at wiper base triggers motor cutoff protection.
When: 40,000 to 90,000 miles; predominantly in winter/snowy conditions; recurring failures in same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers seize mid-operation during snowfall or sleet; Complete loss of wiper function with no warning light; Motor overheats and shuts down; requires 3–4 minute cool-down; Failure occurs only in cold weather or precipitation; Recurrence after dealer repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended wiper motor replacement, but parts not always available. Owners must clear snow/ice buildup at wiper base during driving to temporarily restore function. One case: recall remedy (wiper arm replacement per 22V627000) did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V627000 (Visibility) issued for wiper arm replacement; parts availability delayed beyond reasonable timeframe. Recall remedy ineffective in at least one case. Manufacturer case opened and then closed without resolution.
Sunroof glass detachment or spontaneous shattering
Sunroof glass shatters or detaches from track with no audible impact or clear cause. One incident occurred while vehicle was simply driving at low speed; another while driver heard explosion above head at 75 mph.
When: 40,000 to 95,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Explosion sound heard from sunroof area; Sunroof glass detached from track or almost completely shattered; No visible impact or road debris struck sunroof; Large hole (basketball-sized) in center of sunroof
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof replacement required; dealer appointments delayed (November availability cited). Independent mechanic used. One case diagnosed as impact from road debris despite no clear evidence.
Windshield wiper system freeze-up due to snow accumulation at base
Snow, ice, or sleet accumulates at the base of the windshield wipers, preventing them from moving. Wipers may have built-in protection that shuts them down when resistance is detected. Problem occurs even when windshield and wiper well are pre-cleared before driving.
When: Cold weather/winter conditions; any mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop moving when snow/ice builds at base; No warning light; sudden loss of function mid-drive; Requires pulling over on highway to clear snow manually; Must turn vehicle off and back on to restart wipers; Recurs frequently during snowy/icy conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Manual clearing of wiper area required during driving. Hood design allows snow accumulation; design defect suspected.
Windshield washer fluid system failure
Windshield washer fluid system fails to spray when attempting to clean windshield.
When: ~37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Washer fluid does not spray as intended
Repairs/costs cited: Parts not available for repair at time of complaint.
Front camera misalignment triggering false automatic emergency braking
Front camera reportedly installed incorrectly, causing automatic emergency braking system to engage unexpectedly, almost causing crashes.
When: ~90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic emergency braking engages unexpectedly; Multiple near-crash incidents
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 26V034000 (Air Bags) referenced; vehicle not repaired.
Synthesized from 115 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving during snowfall, snow accumulated over wiper area and blocks wipers from moving. We had to pull over on highway in middle of snowstorm and clear the wiper area. Extremely dangerous for myself and family. The wipers turn off if there's even a little amount of resistance, and the hood design allows for build up accumulation of snow where the wipers go.
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 115 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 69 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 2,700 and 11,000 miles, with the median around 5,860. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,700; a quarter make it past 11,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.