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Hyundai Palisade engine failure problems

85 of the 2,513 owner complaints about the Hyundai Palisade describe engine failure, most of them for the 2020 model year.

owner complaints
85
worst model year
2020
typical mileage
70,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Engine · FL

I am filing an immediate safety complaint regarding a severe engine defect on my vehicle and the manufacturer's dangerous diagnostic protocol. The vehicle is experiencing active engine failure symptoms, including [insert symptoms here, e.g., severe knocking, sudden hesitation, intermittent stalling, or a flashing check engine light]. I have clear video evidence of the failure, and the dealership's Shop Foreman inspected the vehicle and diagnosed it with an internal engine problem. Despite a formal diagnosis from their own Shop Foreman and video proof of the failure, Hyundai Techline is attempting to deflect liability by blaming a previously installed aftermarket oil filter. The dealership has since replaced the aftermarket filter with an OEM filter. However, instead of repairing the diagnosed internal engine defect, they are forcing me to drive this malfunctioning vehicle for an additional 1,000 miles to "duplicate" the issue. Operating a vehicle with a known, documented internal engine failure on public roads poses an immediate and severe safety hazard to myself, my kids, and other drivers. The vehicle is at imminent risk of sudden engine stalling, complete power loss, or catastrophic mechanical seizure at highway speeds, which could cause a serious collision. The manufacturer is actively demanding that I operate a dangerous vehicle as a condition of their warranty process, shifting extreme physical liability onto the consumer.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · NE

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.

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · FL · crash

On September 21, 2026, at approximately 9:20 AM, while attempting to turn off the engine of the parked vehicle, the engine failed to shut down as commanded. Due to severe ECM misfire and erratic anti-stall compensation, the engine surged uncontrollably and propelled the vehicle forward. The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) completely failed to detect the obstacle, alert the driver, or apply emergency braking, resulting in an unavoidable low-speed collision and slight front-end body damage. The following day, on September 22, 2026, at approximately 2:49 PM, the vehicle abruptly triggered a powertrain fail-safe mode in traffic, forcefully restricting speed to roughly 20 mph (limp-in mode), when my wife found it when trying to running faster from a STOP mode, to prevent catastrophic catalytic converter damage caused by persistent combustion misfires. It is impossible to be the wrong operation of my wife since limp-in mode cannot be activated during low speed running. On September 23, 2026, the vehicle was taken to an authorized Hyundai dealership to apply pending TSB 26-01-068H (Campaign 9D6). While the dealer completed the software update and reported no active DTCs remained afterward, Hyundai Motor America has flatly denied manufacturer liability for the property damage incurred directly prior to this safety remedy. Hyundai's ECM software logic flaw poses a critical safety risk involving unintended acceleration, complete shutdown failure, and active safety system non-intervention. I request the federal safety agency investigate this defect and Hyundai's refusal to remediate related incident damage.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

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.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Electrical · GA

My 2020 Hyundai Palisade experienced repeated instances of the engine cooling fan continuing to operate after the vehicle was completely shut off. In one instance, the fan ran for about 90 minutes after shutdown. After the vehicle was driven again, it ran for approximately another 45 minutes after shutdown. On a subsequent occurrence, the fan continued running until it discharged the battery enough that the vehicle would not start. Southtowne Hyundai in Newnan, Georgia subsequently diagnosed the cause as an internal PCB block failure and replaced the engine-room PCB block pursuant to Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin 26-EE-007H, which addresses battery drain caused by continuous cooling-fan operation after the vehicle is turned off. The dealer installed PCB block part number 91959-S8000-FFF. The failure was intermittent and did not occur every time the vehicle was shut off. My concern is that the defect could unexpectedly discharge the battery while the vehicle is parked, leaving it unable to restart. I am filing this complaint so the federal safety agency has a record of the failure and can determine whether similar failures are occurring in other Hyundai Palisades.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Seat belts, Seats · CA

1. Component or System Failed Seat Anchor/Restraint System: Driver's seat mount bolts left hand-threaded following Campaign 283 recall service. (RO available for inspection) Suspension & Steering Geometry: Alignment/subframe failure causing severe tire wear under 6k miles across 2024, 2025, and 2026. (RO's available for inspection) Dealer Documentation System: Falsified "Recall Declined" entry in WebDCS and on RO, omitted and undocumented flagged safety recall on RO (Oct 28, 2025), unrecorded oil leak inspection findings, withheld technician notes and VIN and repair records. (RO's and Webdcs,- Warranty History available, technicians notes possibly available). 2. Safety (Me, Husband, and 2 Children) Put at risk Seat Anchor / Restraint System -Loss of Control: Loose seat bolts allow the driver's seat to shift unexpectedly, impairing pedal and steering control while driving. -Restraint Failure: Unsecured bolts risk complete seat detachment during a crash, rendering seatbelts and airbags ineffective. Suspension & Steering Geometry -Tire Blowout Hazard: Severe tire wear under 6k miles drastically increases the risk of a high-speed blowout. -Unstable Handling: Continuous misalignment causes vehicle pulling, reduced braking efficiency, and compromised control during emergency maneuvers. Dealer Documentation System -Forced Operation of Unsafe Vehicle: Logging safety recalls as "Declined" and omitting flagged recall alerts in WebDCS and on Repair Orders hides known safety hazards from official records, leaving uncorrected recall risks active while driving. -Concealment of Mechanical Hazards: Suppressing oil leak inspection results and withholding technical VIN notes hides active fluid or mechanical defects, creating sudden engine failure, loss of power in traffic, or fire hazards without the driver's awareness. 3. Problem reproduced confirmed most(yes), some(no) 4. Manufacturer inspected = yes to most UNKNOWN to some 5. No, seat moving, big+uneven tire wear under 6k

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · GA

My 2020 Hyundai Palisade (3.8L V6) suffered an engine failure at approximately 108,000 miles. On September 3rd,2026 , while driving at about 65 mph, the engine began knocking loudly. There was no warning before this happened and the engine light had not come on. The vehicle was taken to Shottenkirk Hyundai, an authorized Hyundai dealer, which diagnosed a connecting rod bearing failure. The repair order states: "Replace engine assembly due to piston slap on front bank caused by rod bearing failure." The dealer says the entire engine must be replaced. The vehicle has been maintained with regular oil changes. The failure was internal and was not caused by a crash, impact, or outside damage. I believe this is a safety defect. A connecting rod bearing failure can cause the engine to stall or seize without warning while driving, including at highway speed, creating a risk of a crash. A failed rod can also break through the engine block and leak oil onto hot engine parts, which is a fire risk. The vehicle is past Hyundai's 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. I have opened a case with Hyundai Consumer Affairs (case # 43347615) and am waiting for a decision. The vehicle and failed engine are available for inspection at the dealer. I am asking the federal safety agency to investigate connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.8L V6 engine in the 2020 Hyundai Palisade.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine · TN

Defect & Safety Hazard: Severe internal manufacturing defect causing catastrophic engine oil consumption and sudden, un-warned engine stalling. The vehicle completely shuts down at highway speeds, on inclines, and at stops. This sudden loss of motive power deactivates power steering and braking assists, creating an immediate multi-vehicle collision risk. No low-oil or dashboard indicators illuminate prior to stalling, stripping the driver of any ability to take proactive safety measures. Indisputable Failure Data: Between 99,xxx miles (under warranty) and 103,xxx miles, the engine consumed 5.5 quarts of oil over a 3,000-mile interval. This equals an extreme burn rate of 1.83 quarts per 1,000 miles. Hyundai’s maximum corporate failure limit (1.0 qt/1,000 miles). Secondary diagnostics indicate this massive volume of un-combusted oil is actively pushing into the exhaust system, creating restrictive backpressure that induces stalling. Timeline & Dealer Obstruction:Rusty Wallace Hyundai: Inspected vehicle under 100,000 miles and initiated the first 1,000-mile consumption test, but subsequently refused documentation and further warranty services. A corporate national claim and customer service complaint were filed against them.Grayson Hyundai: Completed a second 1,000-mile test documenting a definitive failure. They confirmed this is a common, known systemic issue and recommended full engine replacement.Federal Violations: Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, because the defect was reported to a dealer before warranty expiration, Hyundai is legally required to cover the defect. Forcing a vehicle that burns 5.5 quarts of oil onto public roads also violates strict EPA Clean Air Act emissions compliance standards. Hyundai's current demand for out-of-pocket payment must be rescinded for full corporate coverage.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Engine · LA

I am filing this safety complaint regarding excessive oil consumption in my 2020 Hyundai Palisade, which presents a direct vehicle stalling and engine failure hazard while driving at highway speeds. My vehicle is currently consuming approximately 5 quarts of engine oil every 3,000 miles. This severe oil loss occurs rapidly between scheduled maintenance intervals without any illuminated dashboard warning lights, low oil pressure indicators, or visible oil leaks on the ground. The oil is burning internally within the combustion chamber. This creates an extreme safety risk. If the oil level drops dangerously low before the next service, the engine is at risk of sudden catastrophic failure, severe overheating, or immediate stalling while in motion. A sudden loss of propulsion while driving in heavy traffic or at highway speeds places myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk of a serious collision. Furthermore, the lack of an early warning sensor or dashboard indicator for low oil volume means the driver is left entirely unaware of the hazard until the engine begins to fail. Hyundai is well aware of this widespread oil-burning defect in their V6 engines, yet because my vehicle has reached 160,000 miles, they refuse to provide any diagnostic support, remedy, or warranty assistance. I am requesting that the federal safety agency open a formal investigation into the 2020 Hyundai Palisade engine oil consumption defect to compel the manufacturer to issue a safety recall before a catastrophic stalling event causes a fatal accident.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I do not understand how Hyundai can approve its required testing process, have the vehicle fail that test, and then deny the engine replacement resulting from those findings. This is unfair and raises serious concerns about how Hyundai is applying its warranty procedures.Hyundai’s published oil-consumption procedures establish a process for diagnosing excessive oil consumption and determining when further repairs, including engine replacement, may be warranted. I am requesting that Hyundai explain exactly what requirement my vehicle allegedly failed to meet and provide documentation supporting the denial.I am requesting that Hyundai reverse the denial and fully cover the necessary engine replacement under warranty. I also request a complete review of my maintenance history, repair records, oil-consumption test results, diagnostics, and the dealership’s submission. This vehicle has been properly maintained and has only approximately 80,000 miles. I purchased it expecting a reliable vehicle that would last many years. An engine developing excessive oil consumption at this mileage is unacceptable, and I believe Hyundai should stand behind its product and warranty obligations.

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalReported February 13, 2024 · 4,245 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundia Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Palisade vehicles. The engine valve springs may break while driving, which can result in a loss of drive power and possibly create a hole in the engine block.
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. A hole in the engine block increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by December 6, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 255.

Recall number 24V106000 · Recall details

Questions about the Hyundai Palisade engine failure

Which Hyundai Palisade years have engine failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2020 (48 complaints), 2021 (19 complaints) and 2022 (10 complaints).

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