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 ↗2023 Hyundai Palisade powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2023 Hyundai Palisade have filed 32 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 Palisade | 37 |
| 2021 Palisade | 19 |
| 2022 Palisade | 14 |
| 2023 Palisade (this page) | 32 |
| 2024 Palisade | 8 |
| 2025 Palisade | 6 |
| 2026 Palisade | 11 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 powertrain 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.
Among the 7 model years of Hyundai Palisade in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 ↗This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation. If you are servicing a vehicle with any symptoms listed below or DTCs (listed on Page 2) , follow the Service Procedure on Page 3. SYMPTOMS: ⢠âShifter System Malfunctionâ displayed in the cluster ⢠Wonât shift into or out of gear or wonât shift out of Park ⢠Incorrect gear display in cluster and/or wonât start
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2023 Hyundai Palisades describe recurring powertrain failures that endanger occupants. The most common pattern: engine misfire with loss of acceleration, sometimes escalating to complete power loss where the accelerator produces no response despite RPM fluctuation. These events occur at traffic lights, during highway merges, and in intersections—places where a non-responsive vehicle creates collision risk.
A subset reports Snow Mode-specific stalling where the engine runs but transfers no torque to the wheels; switching to another drive mode restores power. Multiple owners document phantom braking—spontaneous brake engagement that stalls the vehicle in traffic, sometimes accompanied by simultaneous failure of headlights and horn. One owner's diagnostic scans captured 16 distinct fault codes involving the ECU and communication buses, yet the dealership refused repair claiming inability to replicate during a test drive.
Transmission shudder with delayed upshifts and excessive ABS sensitivity rounding out secondary concerns. Rear coupling assembly failures recur after warranty replacement. The pattern across complaints: dealerships cannot consistently diagnose or fix these failures. Hyundai recall 23V526000 (Powertrain) remains hampered by unavailable parts months after notification. Owners report spending thousands in financial losses and trading vehicles in after Hyundai denied buyback requests despite logged fault codes and safety incidents.
Same Hyundai Palisade powertrain reports on nearby years: 2020 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Engine misfire and power loss
Engine misfires with loss of acceleration and pulling power, often accompanied by check engine light. Owners report the engine feeling as if it's about to stall or shut off, with one dealer confirming misfire diagnosis. One case involved engine damage requiring replacement.
When: Occurs at various mileages from 1,700 to 50,000 miles; one case involved repeated failures over a year
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Loss of acceleration; Engine sputtering; Vehicle lurching or hesitating; Difficulty increasing speed; Engine sounds like it's about to shut off
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had injectors replaced, then was told engine is blown requiring engine replacement on back order for 3+ months. Other owners had dealerships refuse diagnosis or provide inconclusive troubleshooting.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V526000 (Powertrain) issued, but recall parts unavailable for extended periods. Multiple owners reported parts unavailable and exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall repair.
Complete loss of power and inability to accelerate
Vehicle suddenly loses all power and will not accelerate beyond 10-20 mph despite accelerator input. RPMs do not respond. Events occur at traffic lights, during highway merging, and in traffic situations, creating serious safety hazards. Can be intermittent or recurring multiple times.
When: Occurs at low mileage (2,300 to 5,000 miles) and beyond; intermittent but recurring multiple times for some owners
Symptoms owners cite: No response to accelerator pedal; RPM gauge does not move; Vehicle slows or does not move forward; No warning lights or messages (in most cases); Vehicle stalls or sounds like it's stalling; Loss of propulsion during highway speeds
Codes mentioned: C161608, C181287, U012687
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to replicate issues during brief test drives. Repairs attempted but problem recurred. One owner also experienced same issue with loaner vehicle (Santa Fe). No permanent fix identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships state 'cannot replicate' despite fault codes logged. One case entered BBB Auto Line Arbitration; Hyundai contested claim and attempted to manipulate defect start date to avoid Lemon Law.
Stalling and power loss in Snow Mode
Vehicle stalls or loses all torque to wheels when accelerating in Snow Mode, with engine remaining on but unable to produce power. Does not occur in other drive modes (Comfort, Eco, Sport). No warning lights display. Safety issue when pulling into traffic or merging.
When: Occurs when vehicle is in Snow Mode; affects multiple 2023 models across different owners; one case on dry pavement but in Snow Mode
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or dies in Snow Mode only; No acceleration response despite flooring pedal; Loss of torque to wheels; No warning lights or chimes; Clunky or hesitation sound while turning and accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships state they cannot replicate intermittent issues and cannot resolve. Switching to different drive mode (Eco, Comfort, Sport) restores function.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership at Great Lakes Hyundai stated they 'basically can't do anything since this issue is intermittent.' No recall or fix identified for this specific mode-dependent failure.
Transmission shudder and hesitation with delayed upshift
Transmission shudders and hesitates during acceleration with 3-5 second delay when upshifting. Dealer claims this is 'normal' operation, but owners report it is a recent development not present from day one of ownership, raising safety concerns.
When: Occurs during acceleration; reported at various mileages including 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shudder or shaking; 3-5 second delay during upshift acceleration; Hesitation in acceleration; Bouncy feeling in steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claims 'normal' operation despite owners reporting this is a new development. No repair attempted or recommended.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai dealership diagnosed but dismissed as normal operation.
Rear coupling assembly failure
Vehicle exhibits clunky sound and hesitation in acceleration, extremely noticeable while turning and accelerating. Rear coupling assembly was replaced under warranty at 17,000 miles, but the same issue recurred after an additional 18,000 miles of driving (at 35,000 miles total).
When: First occurrence at 17,000 miles; recurrence at 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clunky sound; Hesitation in acceleration; Bouncy/clunky feeling in steering wheel; Noticeable while turning and accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Rear coupling assembly replaced at 17,000 miles. Same issue recurred 18,000 miles later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair covered under warranty initially; no information on response to recurrence.
Phantom braking and automatic safety system interference
Vehicle brakes spontaneously engage on their own during normal driving, stalling the vehicle in traffic. Additionally, forward collision warning system engages violently and inappropriately, causing abrupt stops that prevent normal driving. One case involved simultaneous failure of headlights and horn during phantom braking event.
When: Multiple recurring incidents reported; one owner documented at least 4 separate events over several months
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous brake engagement; Vehicle stalls in path of traffic; Headlights fail during event; Horn fails during event; Violent and abrupt stops from safety sensors; Complete loss of propulsion during event; Vehicle freezes and will not drive after sensor activation
Codes mentioned: C161608, C181287, U012687
Repairs/costs cited: One case required 'violent' surge to clear intersection. Vehicle brakes fail and also freeze preventing further driving.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership and Hyundai repeatedly returned vehicle stating they 'cannot replicate' despite 16 distinct fault codes logged. Case in BBB Auto Line Arbitration as of January 2026.
Excessive brake vibration and ABS malfunction
ABS system activates with excessive sensitivity at low speeds, causing violent brake vibration and chattering with diminished braking response. Owners report this is not normal operation per dealership; one case triggered by loose gravel. Another case involved ABS being 'over-sensitive' during normal braking at slower speeds.
When: Occurs at low speeds; one owner with 35,000 miles has avoided public road testing
Symptoms owners cite: Violent ABS activation; Brake vibration and chattering; Diminished braking response; Vehicle shaking during braking
Repairs/costs cited: One case addressed at dealership; symptoms confirmed by service advisor as abnormal operation. No permanent fix described.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership acknowledged issue is not normal operation but no repair details provided.
High RPM holding after accelerator release
Engine RPM shot up to 5,000 and remained at high RPM for 5-6 seconds after accelerator was released at highway speed (82 mph). Engine was very loud during this period. Required rapid re-engagement of gas pedal to lower RPM back to normal.
When: Single incident at highway speed (82 mph) after accelerating during freeway merge
Symptoms owners cite: RPM held at 5,000 after accelerator release; High engine noise; Engine did not downshift normally; No warning lights or messages
Repairs/costs cited: Owner managed issue by pumping gas pedal twice to reset. No dealer or service center inspection.
Engine Control Unit and electrical fault codes without replication
Diagnostic scans reveal multiple fault codes related to Chassis Control Module, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and communication buses, but dealerships cannot replicate issues during test drives. Codes are logged and documented but manufacturer uses inability to replicate as reason for vehicle return.
When: Codes logged at various times; one case with initial occurrence August 2023
Symptoms owners cite: Fault codes logged by diagnostic scan; Multiple simultaneous failures of unrelated systems
Codes mentioned: C161608, C181287, U012687
Repairs/costs cited: Codes confirmed present during diagnostic scans. Dealerships refuse to address based on inability to replicate during brief test drive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai and dealerships dismiss logged fault codes if unable to replicate during test drive. Used as rationale for refusing warranty repair.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2023 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 2023 Hyundai Palisade?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 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/2023/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.