Vehicle Information: 2021 Hyundai Palisade Limited (3.8L V6 Engine) Complaint Description: While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly began making a loud engine knocking noise, followed immediately by a total and catastrophic structural failure of the engine. A connecting rod bearing seized and the rod broke, punching a hole directly through the metal engine block. This mechanical failure caused an immediate, complete loss of motive power and propulsion while traveling in high-speed highway traffic. The sudden loss of engine power simultaneously disabled the power steering and power braking assistance, creating an extreme and immediate safety hazard as I was forced to navigate a completely dead, non-responsive vehicle across multiple active lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. The vehicle was manually pushed directly to a licensed Hyundai dealership 1/2 a mile, where technicians confirmed a catastrophic internal engine failure with a thrown rod through the engine block. The vehicle had a consistent and documented maintenance history prior to the incident. No warning lights or oil pressure indicators illuminated on the dashboard prior to the sudden knocking and immediate engine destruction. This defect poses a severe, life-threatening safety risk due to the sudden loss of vehicle control on public highways.
2021 Hyundai Palisade engine problems
63 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 63
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Palisade engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Oil consumption 36Engine failure 19Check engine light 15Stalling 12Knocking 9Loss of power 9
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2021 Hyundai Palisade owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I am the original owner of a 2021 Hyundai Palisade SEL AWD (74,225 miles) reporting repeated engine shutdowns in traffic, severe rough idling, and an unresolved safety concern. The problem began XXX. I first brought the vehicle to Hyundai on XXX and have sought service approximately four times since June. Despite technicians stating they could not reproduce the issue, the engine stalled again on XXX after I picked it up from service. The dealership also instructed me to complete a 1,000-mile oil consumption test. When I returned after 750 miles, I was told I had returned too early. The engine subsequently shut off twice on XXX. Documented incidents: XXX 1:53 PM: Engine shut off on [XXX]. XXX, 5:38 PM: Engine shut off on [XXX]. XXX, 5:08 AM: Engine shut off at [XXX] exit, [XXX] XXX 11:35 AM: Engine stalled at [XXX]/[XXX]. XXX, 12:30 PM: Engine stalled at [XXX]/[XXX]; check engine light illuminated. XXX, 10:57 AM: Near-stall with severe rough idling at Los Gatos Farmers Market. After further rough idling, the check engine light remained illuminated. On XXX the dealership service advisor personally experienced severe rough idling and an apparent near-stall while moving my vehicle, with the check engine light on. I heard her acknowledge the issue. The vehicle remains at the dealership. I provided a written incident log and opened Hyundai case #XXX. Repeated engine shutdowns at intersections and freeway exits pose a serious collision risk. I request the federal safety agency investigate this potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Due to a known oil consumption issue the manufacture replaced the engine using a short block swap, they used the old fuel injectors and during the swap one of them failed, becoming stuck open. Now they refuse to fix it without me paying for labor. The failed fuel injector occurred immediately following a mandatory manufacturer engine replacement and poses a thermal/fire hazard.
I have multiple recalls that have not been fixed that are safety issues this is disgraceful I would like help from a higher power than myself to get this sorted this is our family car shame on hyundai
Whatever you do, do not purchase a Hyundai vehicle. Their engines are defective. On XXX, I brought my car in for service at Castle Hyundai, [XXX]. I informed the service representative that I was having issues with my car stopping and automatically applying the braking system intermittently. They looked at the car and said they saw nothing was wrong. They charged me $940.30 for diagnostics and replacing a couple of belts and oil filter housing leak. I started having the same issue in XXX and I brought my car in again. This time they told me that my car was burning oil internally and that I would have to have a Combustion Chamber Cleaning. I was informed by the Service Manager that this was a common problem with my vehicles model year and that if was a requirement to for the Warranty people to initiate changing the engine. I paid $1,094.26 for this service. I was told to bring the car back after driving the car an additional 1,000 miles. I was also told by that service manager that his dealership changes about 200 engines a month due to this issue. I took the car back to the dealership after driving the 1,000 miles. I sent them photos of the 3 oil changes I could find documentation for, and I had one done at this dealership. I was informed by the dealership that the warranty company and Hyundai when asked, refused my claim. I called the warranty company myself and they would not uphold my claim. I then contacted the Regional Case Manager, and they tried to tell me something different. They told me my car was over warranty and that the engine was only covered up to 60,000 miles. I have the Warranty in my hand, and it says lifetime warranty. This is not fair. I am [XXX] old and I bought the car with 31,000 miles on the car. I have consistent and periodic oil changes but could not remember all the places. This is the first Hyundai I have purchased and I am asking that my claim be upheld and executed s INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have been dealing with the oil consumption issues for this vehicle for about 2 years now. There are documented complaints and a class action lawsuit in California about this issue. Bottom line, the engine burns too much oil to be safely driven between oil changes without the owner checking and adding oil. My particular vehicle is burning just under 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles. Hyundai’s owner manual suggests changing the oil every 7,500 miles, but the oil capacity is under 6 quarts. At the current rate, I would run out of oil before the suggested oil change interval. This is a severe safety issue as engines require oil to run correctly, not overheat, and lubricate all the moving parts. The previous generation Hyundai models also had similar oil consumption issues. Those vehicles had a the federal safety agency campaign which resulted in Hyundai being responsible to fix the engines. I believe a recall is proper given the safety concerns noted above. At a minimum, Hyundai should stand by their work and fix the issues as they arise.
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.
I am reporting a potential safety defect involving my 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy AWD. The vehicle has experienced repeated engine and drivability problems and multiple breakdowns following replacement of the engine by Hyundai. The original engine developed excessive oil consumption and was ultimately replaced by Hyundai with a new engine. Following the engine replacement, the vehicle experienced numerous additional mechanical problems and repair attempts, including engine rattling/pinging, intake-manifold replacement, oil valve-seal replacement, multiple cylinder misfires, ignition-system problems and an ignition-coil failure. Most concerning are repeated incidents involving severe shaking/lurching, loss of engine power, stalling and failure to restart. During one incident following repairs, the vehicle ran extremely rough, stalled and would not restart after approximately 20 miles of driving and had to be towed back to the dealership. During another incident, the vehicle experienced heavy shaking on startup, stalled and had severely limited power. Diagnostic history showed misfires involving multiple cylinders. On June 29, 2026, at approximately 103,671 miles, I was driving at approximately 50 mph when the vehicle began to lurch and shake, lost power, stalled and would not restart. The vehicle had to be towed back to the Hyundai dealership. The unexpected loss of propulsion and stalling while traveling at approximately 50 mph created a serious safety concern because I could no longer rely upon the vehicle to maintain power in traffic. The dealership subsequently identified an ignition-coil short/failure and replaced an ignition coil. The vehicle has nevertheless continued to experience additional mechanical problems. The vehicle is currently again at the Hyundai dealership. It has generated diagnostic code P0430 for Bank 2 catalyst efficiency below threshold, and Hyundai has recommended replacement of both catalytic converter/manifold assemblies. Th
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.
In the past two weeks, our 2021 Hyundai Palisade has shut off completely when driving. It has around 110,000 miles on it and was just purchased used (second owner) three months ago. At that time, the dealership had to fix a leak in the engine and did a complete oil change. Based on internet searches, we just checked the oil dipstick and it is COMPLETELY empty. We have NOT driven more than 3,000 miles since purchasing the vehicle and there is absolutely no oil left. Based on searches, it appears this is a fairly common, known issue and nothing is being done. It is incredibly dangerous that the car shut down while driving (on the highway, in the middle of a right-hand turn). Every single warning light lit up at once then the car completely shut off within a matter of seconds. Thankfully my husband was able to get to the side of the road and no accidents occurred, but this is terrifying and completely unacceptable. The car is going to be towed to the dealership to check for excessive oil consumption, but again, based on research, it appears that this is a known issue but Hyundai says it is "within acceptable limits." PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
Questions about the 2021 Hyundai Palisade engine
Does the 2021 Hyundai Palisade have engine problems?
Owners have filed 63 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Palisade engine problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Hyundai Palisade engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Palisade have bad engine?
The Hyundai Palisade model years with the most engine complaints are 2020 (140 complaints), 2021 (63 complaints) and 2022 (55 complaints).
Other 2021 Hyundai Palisade problems
Seat belts 113Visibility 62Electrical 56Suspension 31Driver assistance 26Transmission 25Body 20Seats 13Steering 13Brakes 11Airbags 10Fuel system 10Acceleration 9Lights 4Wheels 3Locks 1Tires 1
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