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 ↗2021 Hyundai Palisade body problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
6injuries
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Hyundai Palisade in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 ↗Certain 2021MY Palisade (LX2) vehicles may exhibit separation between the C-pillar garnish and the rubber molding. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to inspect the C-pillar garnish, and if necessary, replace it with a new part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 Palisade has generated complaints about several distinct body and interior problems. The most alarming pattern is spontaneous sunroof glass shattering while driving at highway speed—at least five owners report the glass exploding without any collision or external impact, creating loud noises likened to gunshots and leaving large holes. The sunshade covers prevented glass from entering cabins in some cases, but damage occurred to roof paint.
Sunroof mechanical problems also appear: one owner's sunroof got stuck partially open after a clicking noise; another's came off its track and twisted at 144,000 miles. Dealers cite VIN-specific coverage limitations and warranty expiration to deny repairs.
Interior trim issues include rear passenger door trim detaching without collision—with broken plastic mounting pieces—priced at $550 for replacement and not covered by warranty. One owner reports a sharp edge on the driver-side door bottom caused a 2-inch deep leg laceration.
One owner alleges toxic chemical odor (VOCs) emanating from doors and hatch after vehicle closure, causing asthmatic attack, choking, and headaches despite multiple dealer attempts to repair it. Technical Service Bulletin 20-BD-018H was cited.
Finally, one owner experienced brake pedal sticking and forward collision braking system non-activation during emergency braking, resulting in a crash with severe damage and fluid leaks. Another complaint notes confusing shift button layout causing accidental reverse selection instead of drive.
Same Hyundai Palisade body reports on nearby years: 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof spontaneous shattering
Sunroof glass shatters or explodes without warning or impact while driving. Multiple owners report the glass breaking apart, sometimes with large holes blown through. No collision or external impact involved.
When: While driving at highway speeds; one case noted 144,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise resembling gunshot or shotgun fire; Glass shattering into pieces; Large holes blown in sunroof glass (one owner reported 18-inch hole); Debris on sunshade cover
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer covered under warranty; another owner with 144,000 miles had no warranty. One owner gorilla-taped the stuck-open sunroof as temporary fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA investigating Kia Sorento for same issue; owner notes Kia/Hyundai aware of problem. No recall mentioned.
Sunroof mechanical failure and malfunction
Sunroof becomes stuck—either partially open or off its track—due to clicking noise, track misalignment, or twisting. Owner reports VIN-specific coverage denial.
When: Attempted sunroof operation; one vehicle at 144,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise when attempting to open; Sunroof stuck partially or fully open; Sunroof off its track and twisted; Broken pieces from track mechanism
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unsure if repair covered; owner past bumper-to-bumper warranty. One owner used gorilla tape as temporary fix to prevent sunroof from detaching at highway speeds.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai coverage appears VIN-specific; Technical Service Bulletin coverage unclear per owner experience.
Interior door trim coming loose and broken
Rear passenger door trim detaches or comes off without any collision or impact. Plastic pieces holding trim fail or break, leaving trim loose and sharp.
When: July 2023 discovery; vehicle approximately 3 years old at time of report
Symptoms owners cite: Trim piece separating from door; Plastic mounting pieces broken; Trim remaining loose despite reattachment attempt; Sharp edges on trim creating hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $550 to replace trim. Not covered by warranty. Owner reports seeing multiple online complaints of same issue.
Sharp door edge causing injury
Bottom corner of door has a sharp edge that caused a deep laceration when owner exited vehicle. Owner reports other Palisade owners on forums experienced similar injury.
When: Incident timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp edge on bottom corner of driver-side door; 2-inch deep laceration on leg from brushing against door during exit
Toxic gaseous odor from vehicle interior
Strong chemical odor emanates from doors and rear hatch after vehicle sits closed. Owner alleges exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) causing health symptoms. Multiple dealer repair attempts unsuccessful per owner claim.
When: Shortly after delivery August 2020; reported after 24+ hours of being closed
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gaseous chemical odor from all four doors and rear hatch; Odor so strong it could not be localized to one area; Wife experienced asthmatic attack; Owner experienced choking sensation and near-vomiting; Residual taste and breath odor lasting 4+ hours; Headaches requiring medication
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repair attempts by dealer and Hyundai technical department reported unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 20-BD-018H referenced; owner characterizes it as non-scientific and non-engineered cover-up.
Shift mechanism confusing orientation (reverse/drive button layout)
Push-button shift layout has drive and reverse buttons in counter-intuitive positions. Multiple drivers accidentally selected reverse when intending to select drive, causing vehicle to move backward unexpectedly.
When: Recurring issue across multiple uses
Symptoms owners cite: Pressing reverse button by accident when intending to press drive; Vehicle moving backward when driver intended forward motion; Owner requires careful visual confirmation before pressing drive button
Brake system failure and forward collision warning system non-activation
Brake pedal felt stuck and unresponsive during emergency braking. Forward collision automatic braking system failed to activate. Resulted in crash with severe front-end damage and fluid leaks.
When: During highway driving incident
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal felt stuck; Brake did not respond properly to pedal pressure; Forward collision automatic braking system did not activate; Vehicle crashed into vehicle in front; Fluid leaks present after crash; Severe front-end damage; Vehicle not drivable
Windshield hairline crack while parked
Driver-side window developed an 8-inch hairline crack while vehicle was parked overnight in garage with no known impact.
When: While parked overnight in garage
Symptoms owners cite: Hairline crack approximately 8 inches long; Crack on driver-side glass; No known impact or external cause
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 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 15 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 2,328 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/2021/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.