While driving down the freeway my first row sunroof exploded. Insurance wouldn’t cover it because it is a manufacturer defect, but Hyundai wouldn’t cover it because it “isn’t a manufacturer defect.” The temperature outside when the sunroof exploded was 74 degrees and it was cloudy. Then less than 2 months later my engine got a rod knock even with oil changes every 5k miles. No warning signs for either and no lights on the dash. It just started when I started it to leave for work one morning.
2021 Hyundai Palisade body problems
20 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Body19
- Body: door1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Palisade body problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade body
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2021 Hyundai Palisade owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear Exhaust System How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Fire hazard as it was similar to a blowtorch, melted several rear panels, lights and trim while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealership (Elyria Hyundai) requested a PA from Hyundai and it was authorized, but am having a very difficult time getting reimbursed. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I am not sure what the dealership did with the exhaust. At one point, I had requested to keep it for evidence. There are pictures. I suggested having the manufacturer look at it or at least Hyundai. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warnings. After a 2.5 hr trip, we got out; my children noticed the trim sticking out and melted off the rear right bumper. It was extremely hot to touch and the panels were bulging out from their normal position.
While the vehicle was being driven, the sunroof became inoperable, stuck in the tilt position. The motor could be heard running but the glass panel would not move in either direction. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms before the failure. The dealership disassembled the sunroof and found that a spring on the passenger-side sunroof rail had broken, and that the broken spring damaged the rail itself. The dealer confirmed the failure matches Hyundai TSB 23-BD-003H-1, Sunroof Wind Deflector and Mechanism Replacement, issued April 2023. That bulletin applies to certain 2020-2022 model year Palisade vehicles equipped with a sunroof and produced before 5/4/2022, and describes the wind deflector malfunctioning and damaging the sunroof mechanism, leaving the sunroof inoperable. My vehicle falls within that range and experienced that failure. The dealership was able to move the glass panel into a fully closed, flat position, where it appears normal. However, because the rail is broken, the panel is not harnessed in the rail. It can be pushed upward by hand from the passenger side. The dealership stated the panel could move at highway speed and that the vehicle is not secure against entry in this condition. For that reason the dealership has kept the vehicle since 8/24/2026 and provided a loaner rather than returning it to me to drive. The technician documented no signs of misuse or outside damage and noted that the sunroof is rarely used. The vehicle and the broken component are available for inspection. The manufacturer was notified and declined goodwill assistance, citing the vehicle's time in service and mileage. The repair was quoted at approximately $3,500 and has not been performed. Mileage at diagnosis was 83,069.
I am submitting a safety complaint regarding the panoramic sunroof assembly on my 2021 Hyundai Palisade. The vehicle was purchased as a Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned vehicle in September 2023 with approximately 27,000 miles. The panoramic sunroof had only been opened approximately two or three times since purchase when the failure occurred. During normal operation, the sunroof wind deflector/visor malfunctioned and jammed inside the mechanism. This caused the pulleys and track assembly to bind and pull the glass panel out of position, damaging and breaking the sunroof track/mechanism. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a broken sunroof track/mechanism assembly requiring extensive repair estimated at approximately $4,000. This failure appears to directly match Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 23-BD-003H-1, which acknowledges that the sunroof wind deflector may malfunction and damage the sunroof mechanism on 2020–2022 Hyundai Palisade vehicles. Hyundai issued this bulletin before I purchased the vehicle as Certified Pre-Owned. My concern is that this is a known recurring mechanical defect involving the panoramic roof assembly that could create a safety hazard if the mechanism jams, detaches components, shifts the glass panel unexpectedly, or causes the roof to fail while driving. The failure also caused the panoramic sunroof to become stuck open while driving. This created excessive rattling and vibration noise at highway speeds, which was distracting during vehicle operation and raised concerns about the stability of the sunroof assembly while in motion. Because the roof could not be properly closed or secured, the defect also exposed the interior of the vehicle to possible rain intrusion and additional electrical or interior damage. The sunroof was not abused or damaged externally. The failure occurred during ordinary use and after very limited operation of the sunroof since purchase.
While driving, the vehicle in front of me stopped suddenly. When I pressed on the brake pedal it felt stuck and did not respond properly. The forward collision automatic braking system did not activate. This resulted in a crash. After the incident, the vehicle had fluid leaks and severe front-end damage and is not drivable. I am concerned there was brake system failure prior to impact.
Tried to open sunroof and it came off its track and twisted which caused some pieces to break. It is stuck in an open position. The vehicle has 144,000 miles so it no longer has any warranty coverage. We had to gorilla tape it down otherwise it could fly off while going down the road. I’ve read there has been many of the same incident happening to others.
I tried opening my sunroof and it made a clicking noise and is now stuck partially open. The dealership said that there is a set of Hyundai vehicles that are being covered by this malfunction but that my particular VIN isn't included. A Hyundai dealership is looking at it on Monday 03/17/2025 and is unsure if Hyundai will cover the repair since my VIN isn't included and I am past the bumper to bumper warranty. I only have the powertrain warranty left.
Sunroof shattered without object impact during cold weather.
Paint started chipping… Dealer stated it was from a rock, however a rock chip doesn’t cause a whole section of paint bigger than a quarter to just flake off.. ironically there was another vehicle on the lot having the same issues . Picture is included.. Second issue is the engine It makes a grinding noise when driving almost like the cams or transmission is going to go bad, but i think it’s the timing chain. Lasty the suspension it has clicking noises that cannot be resolved.
While driving down the interstate heard a loud sound, sounding like a shot gun. Looked and the sunroof shattered. Immediately took it into the dealership and they determined it was not hit by anything and they have been seeing a rise of this happening. They are fixing under warranty and had to give me rental car because they don’t know how long it will take. It was extremely scary and thankfully my sunroof cover was closed. I can easily see this causing a car accident.
Questions about the 2021 Hyundai Palisade body
Does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have body problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the body of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Palisade body problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade body?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Palisade have the most body problems?
The Hyundai Palisade model years with the most body complaints are 2020 (26 complaints), 2021 (20 complaints) and 2024 (12 complaints).
Other 2021 Hyundai Palisade problems
Seat belts 113Engine 64Visibility 62Electrical 56Suspension 31Driver assistance 26Transmission 25Seats 13Steering 13Brakes 11Fuel system 11Airbags 10Acceleration 9Lights 4Wheels 3Locks 1Tires 1
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