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moderate Owners of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have filed 53 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 4,000 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 →
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Palisade | 115 |
| 2021 Palisade (this page) | 53 |
| 2022 Palisade | 42 |
| 2023 Palisade | 59 |
| 2024 Palisade | 9 |
| 2025 Palisade | 8 |
Of the 53 visibility complaints filed for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
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.
Among the 6 model years of Hyundai Palisade in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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 ↗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 attach a foam pad to the side view mirror wiring harness on certain Palisade vehicles exhibiting 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 2021 Hyundai Palisade has two distinct visibility failures that create real safety hazards.
Fragile windshield: Small pebbles or rocks that hit the glass cause it to develop long cracks within minutes to hours, spreading across 12–24 inches or more. Owners report this happens far more easily than on other vehicles they've owned—sometimes from pebbles so small they barely dent other cars' glass. A few owners even discovered cracks without any known impact. Windshield replacement runs $2,000–$2,847 OEM, including mandatory camera recalibration. Many dealers have parts on backorder. The glass appears to be the core issue, not the frame or installation.
Wiper shutdown in snow: When snow or ice packs into the recessed wiper well (where the arms park under the hood), the wipers lock up and stop working entirely—even while driving through active snowfall. The system seems designed to shut down to prevent motor damage, but owners end up stranded with no wipers in blizzard conditions, forced to pull over on busy highways to dig out hard-packed ice with their bare hands. One owner spent 20 minutes clearing the passenger-side well while dodging semi trucks. Re-engaging happens only after the snow is completely cleared. No warning light alerts the driver.
Sunroof glass has also fractured without impact in several cases, with one sudden shattering at highway speed described as sounding like a gunshot.
Hyundai acknowledges the wiper issue exists but has not issued a recall or software fix. Multiple class-action lawsuits regarding the windshield are pending.
Same Hyundai Palisade visibility reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2022 · 2023
Windshield develops long cracks (often spider-web or spanning 12–24 inches) after impact from small pebbles or rocks that would typically only cause a chip on other vehicles. Many cracks form within minutes to hours of initial contact and continue to spread. Some owners report no audible impact before discovering cracks.
When: Early in ownership (some under 1,000 miles; most within first 6 months). Temperature changes (cold fronts) may accelerate crack propagation.
Symptoms owners cite: Small chip or scratch from pebble/rock impact; Rapid crack propagation from impact site; Spider-web cracks extending across windshield; Cracks appearing days after initial minor impact; Cracks appearing without any known impact; Multiple chip sites appearing on same windshield
Repairs/costs cited: OEM windshield replacement: $1,561–$2,000+ (depending on location and OEM vs. aftermarket). Labor, moldings, removal/reinstallation, and camera recalibration fee: $250–$375. Total OEM replacement cost: $2,000–$2,847. Aftermarket glass cheaper (~$713) but still requires recalibration ($300 separately). Windshields reported on backorder at dealerships, delaying repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service managers report seeing multiple Palisade cracked-windshield complaints but deny warranty coverage, stating it is customer damage. One owner contacted Hyundai North America and was initially told manufacturing defect would be covered under warranty but was then instructed to visit dealership for verification. Pending class action lawsuit mentioned by multiple owners. No TSB or recall issued; NHTSA Campaign 22V627000 (Visibility) mentioned but parts unavailable.
Wipers shut down or lock up when snow and ice pack into the recessed wiper well (the pocket where wiper arms rest when parked). System appears to detect obstruction and shuts down to prevent motor damage. Occurs while driving in snow, after snow is pushed into the well by the wipers themselves, or when snow/slush slides down from the roof or hood. Wipers will not re-engage until snow/ice is manually cleared.
When: During or after snow/ice storms, any winter driving with snow buildup. Happens at any speed, including low-speed driving and while parked with roof snow.
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop mid-cycle or fail to complete downstroke; Wipers stuck in partially-up position; Wipers lock in place and will not move; Wipers refuse to engage even in manual mode; Wiper well packed with hard-packed ice that is difficult to access; Wiper system attempts to reset every ~30 seconds, causing repeated failures
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available; driver must manually clear snow/ice from wiper well. Owner reports clearing took 20 minutes on busy interstate while dodging truck traffic. Accessing passenger-side wiper well and ice pocket is particularly difficult for shorter drivers; ice is compacted deep in the recessed pocket. One owner notes they can manually pull wiper arms up a few inches to aid clearance, but system resets every 30 seconds.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer employee acknowledged the design flaw to one owner, explaining that the system shuts down to prevent motor/transmission damage. No recall, TSB, or firmware fix offered. Multiple owners cite active forum discussion (palisadeforums.org thread titled 'Wipers Stopped Working Snow Build-up') indicating this is widespread and unresolved.
Sunroof glass has fractured or shattered without impact during normal driving or while parked. One case reports sudden shattering at highway speed (70 mph) with loud noise. Another reports glass fracturing while car sat in garage. One case involved sunroof wind-guard arms breaking, preventing sunroof from closing and allowing rain into cabin.
When: One case at ~65,000 miles (no impact); one at ~2,200 miles during 50 mph driving; one while parked in garage; one at 70 mph on highway.
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof glass shatters or fractures without audible impact; Loud noise (described as gunshot-like) accompanying fracture; Sunroof wind-guard arms fracture and prevent closure; Glass fragments falling into cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced sunroof glass under warranty in one case and provided rental car due to extended repair time. Wind-guard arm repair delayed due to parts backorder; dealer temporarily taped sunroof as temporary fix. No labor costs specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer informed one owner the vehicle was working as designed and windshield (sic—likely sunroof) was on backorder. Another dealer confirmed it was a known failure but did not repair. Manufacturer case opened in at least one complaint but no further assistance provided.
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Windshield on 2021 Palisade cracks easily i had two cracks developed within 3 days of each other. Cracks easily developed into a 2 feet crack
While driving down the highway a truck in front of me slings a rock into my windshield. Watched this small crack run all the way across my windshield shortly after. These windshields are too fragile. I have never experienced this with any other vehicle I have owned.
We were driving at a slow rate of speed and a rock bounced up from a passing car, not even driving behind it but passing head on, and it cracked the windshield. These windshields seem to be extremely fragile and can't hold up to a simple rock or even pebble. In my experience, I have never had a complete crack like this and the windshield should be able to withstand or only present a rock chip…
Wipers became non-operational as snow slide down the front of the care preventing the wiper from completing a full cycle. The snow was ~3 inches up the windshield which halted the wiper in the down position. Once the snow was manually cleared the wiper was able to complete its evolution and regained functionality. This occurred at a speed of 15 while breaking during inclement weather. Not an…
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 2,400 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 4,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,400; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover visibility issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.