Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2021-HYUNDAI-PALISADENHTSA data synced 13 hours ago
Hyundai
2021 Hyundai Palisade problems
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has 432 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade has 432 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is seatbelts at 99 complaints (~$500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Palisade?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 47 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Hyundai Palisade SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Hyundai Palisade? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
seatbelts — 99 owner reports
· ~$500 to fix
visibility — 53 owner reports
· ~$350 to fix
electrical — 47 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
engine — 31 owner reports
· ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2021 Palisade· powertrain
2021 palisade calligraphy - while driving on highway (comfor mode - cruise control) htrac error light came on. After stopping and shutting car off the error resolved for a few minutes and then came back on while driving. Noticed no power to rear wheels while driving - snowed…
I was unable to use my seatbelt because the end that accepts the strap, would not allow the seatbelt to click in to the device. I had to drive without a seatbelt several miles. I tried probably 20 times to get it to click in before giving up. My husband was able to somehow…
Update to complaint #11631235 At time of original complaint submission, I was unable to figure out how to share the video documentation of the vehicle speedomoter defect. Having since figured it out, I want to share this evidence with the NHTSA
Had a problem with your 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles
Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a protective film over the rear window and remove padding, as necessary free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Final remedy owner letters will be mailed in phases, beginning in June 2026 and expected to continue through December 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 292. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 24, 2026.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Palisade vehicles
Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Passengers are advised to insert the belt firmly into the buckle with a quick and direct motion, pulling on the belt to confirm the seat belt is fully secured, until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assemblies, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning October 23, 2025. Final remedy owner letters will be mailed in phases, beginning in June 2026 and expected to continue through December 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 283. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 13, 2025.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Palisade vehicles
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 243. This recall is an expansion of recall number 22V-627.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 432 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 47 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Inspect the seatbelts first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 99 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Palisade a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 432 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is seatbelts. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is seatbelts, with 99 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The seatbelts is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Palisade has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 432 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 13 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Hyundai/Palisade.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
