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 ↗2021 Hyundai Palisade powertrain problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Hyundai Palisade in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 of 2021 Hyundai Palisades report a cluster of serious powertrain failures occurring well within typical vehicle life:
Transmission failures strike at 98,000–114,000 miles, often preceded by jerking, hesitation between 30–60 mph, and dark, metal-contaminated fluid. Hyundai issued TSB #20-AT-005H-1 for P0741 (torque converter clutch) codes, instructing solenoid and valve body replacement, yet dealers have not applied this guidance even when owners reported early symptoms. Full transmission replacement runs thousands of dollars and falls outside warranty.
Engine internal damage includes cylinder compression loss, wall scoring, and severe oil consumption (1.5–2.5 quarts per 1,000 miles). Some failures occur at 86,000 miles with no warning lights. Owners in Hyundai's "oil consumption protocol" received six oil changes in eight to ten months without root-cause repair.
AWD coupling failures (Part# 47800-4G500) occur as early as 812 miles or under 100 miles on new units, causing loss of rear-wheel drive, clunking, and highway safety hazards. One coupling failed twice—at 95,471 and 106,702 miles. A TSB exists but no recall has been issued.
Vibration at highway speeds (62–73 mph) appears even on cars with under 100 miles, and tire balancing, drive shaft, and rear differential replacements have not resolved it. Oil filter housings crack, causing fire hazard from oil spray onto hot engine. Hyundai has refused remedy on all these issues despite technical service bulletins and acknowledged defects.
Same Hyundai Palisade powertrain reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Failure / Torque Converter Malfunction
Complete or severe transmission breakdown, including torque converter clutch circuit performance issues, jerking, hesitation, and loss of power. Owners report dark, metal-contaminated transmission fluid indicating internal damage. Some transmissions have been replaced at 98,000–114,000 miles.
When: 98,000–114,000 miles; some occur within 30,000–40,000 miles of operation
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking and hesitation at 30–35 mph and 50–60 mph; Sudden loss of motive power; Dark, contaminated transmission fluid with metal particles; Loss of ability to shift from Park; Transmission shuddering under load; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: P0741
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; one owner reported $98,000–114,000 miles before replacement. Transmission fluid flush attempted but problem recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai TSB #20-AT-005H-1 addresses P0741 code on 2021 Palisade, instructing replacement of solenoid and valve body harness. However, owners report dealers did not apply this procedure despite early symptom reports. Dealer warranty claims have been refused by some dealers (Reliable Hyundai in Springfield, Missouri). One owner received 50% goodwill offer.
Engine Internal Failure / Compression Loss
Catastrophic internal engine damage including cylinder wall scoring, pitting, blow-by, and compression loss in one or more cylinders at relatively low mileage. Owners report sudden loss of power, severe misfiring, rough idle, and heavy oil consumption. No warning lights precede failure in some cases.
When: 86,000 miles; also reported at 98,000 miles after transmission replacement; one case at 2,674 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power during acceleration or merging; Severe hesitation and misfiring on cylinder #2; Rough, unstable idling; Heavy oil consumption (1.5–2.5 quarts per 1,000 miles; also 2–3 quarts per 500–800 miles); Loud knocking noise before loss of power; Vibration when oil level depletes
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement needed. Oil consumption monitoring ('oil consumption protocol') performed by dealer without resolution; six oil changes in 8–10 months at 1,000-mile intervals. One owner reported no warning lights or overheating indicators before failure despite regular maintenance and timely oil changes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer acknowledged defect on one vehicle via 50% goodwill offer for repair. Hyundai Consumer Affairs opened case number for review on at least one complaint. No recall issued. One replacement engine subsequently failed with cam timing code P000A00, and manufacturer refused to cover diagnosis and repair under replacement engine warranty.
AWD Coupling Failure
4WD/AWD coupling (Part# 47800-4G500) premature failure causing loss of drivetrain power, clunking noise, and safety hazard during turns or highway driving. Vehicle loses power to rear wheels or becomes front-wheel-drive only. Some couplings have failed twice within ~11,000 miles of the first replacement.
When: As early as 812 miles; first failure at 95,471 miles, second at 106,702 miles (11,231 miles apart); under 100 miles on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise; Loss of power in drivetrain / rear wheels during turns and acceleration; Vehicle switches to front-wheel-drive only (loss of AWD function); HTRAC error light; Hesitation when pulling out of parking lots; Uncontrolled vehicle during high-speed turns (near-accident hazard)
Codes mentioned: P182111
Repairs/costs cited: Coupling replaced twice under warranty; part number 47800-4G500. No warning lights on at least one failure. Owners report this is a known, widespread issue on Hyundai forums.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin exists for this issue (owner references it but details not fully provided). Replacements performed under warranty. No recall issued despite owner reports of multiple failures and safety hazards.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine burning oil at rates far exceeding normal wear (1.5–2.5 quarts per 1,000 miles; also 2–3 quarts per 500–800 miles). Dealers have placed affected vehicles in 'oil consumption' monitoring protocols without resolving the underlying issue.
When: Early in vehicle life; one case at 83,769 miles after 8–10 months in monitoring protocol; oil level below minimum mark within 1,000 miles of oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid oil level depletion; Vibration when oil nearly depleted; Oil level below minimum on dipstick; Unsafe driving condition due to low oil
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed 6 oil changes in 8–10 months without identifying or correcting root cause. No fix identified or implemented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledged widespread oil burning issue in some cases. No recall or design change issued. Hyundai has not taken ownership of the defect; monitoring protocols appear designed to delay formal remedy.
Vibration at Highway Speeds
Vehicle develops significant vibration in seat and steering wheel at highway speeds (62–73 mph, also 65–70 mph). Vibration present as early as new (under 100 miles, one case at 2,674 miles). Multiple dealer service attempts including tire balancing, drive shaft and rear coupler replacement have failed to resolve the issue.
When: As early as under 100 miles; 2,674 miles; vibration develops around 62–73 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration in driver seat and steering wheel; Vibration felt throughout vehicle body
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer rotated tires, replaced drive shaft, replaced rear differential and fluids, replaced rear coupler—all without success. Parts on backorder from Korea. Vehicle sat at dealership for weeks to months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai Consumer Affairs notified; promised callback within 10 days but contact person became unavailable. No resolution provided.
Oil Filter Housing Structural Failure / Seam Leak
Cracked seam in pressurized oil filter housing causing rapid oil loss and creating fire hazard due to oil spray onto hot engine block. This is a structural manufacturing defect, not a maintenance-related seal or filter failure.
When: 74,992 miles; also reported as early-life defect
Symptoms owners cite: Pressurized oil spraying onto hot engine block; Rapid oil loss; Fire hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Structural crack verified by authorized Hyundai dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refused to address safety implications or offer remedy.
Cam Timing / VVT Failure
Variable valve timing (VVT) and intake camshaft position failure on replacement engines, causing excessive variance between commanded and actual cam timing. Failure likely oil-controlled and actuator-related.
When: Shortly after replacement engine installation (February 2025)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light with P000A00 code; Excessive variance between commanded and actual cam timing
Codes mentioned: P000A00
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement engine required; oil and actuator system involved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai refused to cover diagnosis and repair under replacement engine warranty, requiring customer-paid tear-down despite fault originating within engine assembly.
ADAS System Failure
Multiple advanced driver assistance systems failed simultaneously, including adaptive cruise control, regular cruise control, blind spot warning, emergency brake assist, lane keep assist, and parking collision warning.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of adaptive cruise control; Loss of regular cruise control; Loss of blind spot warning; Loss of emergency brake assist; Loss of lane keep assist; Loss of parking collision warning
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 next day- AWD vehicle became only FWD. Took to dealer and error code p182111 was assessed. Also water intrusion in a…
This vehicle AWD system failed, the assitance systems failed, namely: Adaptive cruise, regular cruise, blind spot warning, emergency brake assist, lane keep assist, and parking collision warning.
The vehicle experienced premature transmission failure, including torque converter clutch malfunction, hesitation, jerking at speeds between 30–35 mph and 50–60 mph, and drivability issues. Diagnostic indicators are consistent with widespread complaints from other Hyundai Palisade owners. This failure presents a potential safety concern due to unpredictable vehicle response, hesitation during…
The oil filter housing cracked and leaked engine oil at mileage 74992.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/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.