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.
Hyundai Palisade knocking problems
41 of the 2,509 owner complaints about the Hyundai Palisade describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 41
- worst model year
- 2020
By model year
Often reported together
Oil consumption 9Check engine light 7Stalling 6Engine failure 6Harsh shifting 4Loss of power 3Premature wear 2Misfire 2
What owners say
Hyundai palisade calligraphy 2024 at 14k miles I heard clunking, thumping, knocking noise at low speed The problem from bad Rear Self-Leveling Shocks and Upper Shock Mounts & Isolators and im not the only one has that problem i got 2 more family members with the same issue And hyundai doesn't not fix the problem and make recall
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.
Component Affected: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HIGH PRESSURE PUMP Description of the Safety Hazard: My 2022 Hyundai Palisade has developed a catastrophic failure of the engine-mounted High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP). The insulating foam cover is completely saturated and leaking raw, liquid gasoline directly on top of the engine block. The fuel system is unable to maintain rail pressure, causing severe pre-detonation engine knock ("pinging") and mechanical stumbling during acceleration. Furthermore, there are visible electrical flashes/short-circuit arcs occurring in the engine bay directly adjacent to the high-pressure liquid fuel leak, presenting an imminent vehicle fire hazard. Active dark fluid puddles contaminated with fuel are dripping past the splash shields onto the ground. Dealer/Manufacturer Actions: Despite clear photographic evidence of a pressurized fuel leak on a powertrain-covered component, multiple authorized Hyundai dealerships (Fred Beans, Harrisburg, and Chambersburg) have refused service or grossly misdiagnosed the life-threatening safety issue as a 'gas cap' or 'water hose.' Hyundai Motor America Corporate Consumer Assistance has failed to intervene or provide emergency towing remediation for this severe fire risk.
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.
On August 14, 2026, while driving and decelerating, I heard a knocking sound from the engine and the vehicle had difficulty downshifting. As the transmission shifted from second gear to first, the engine stalled immediately and the vehicle dropped into neutral while on the roadway. I lost propulsion in traffic. The vehicle behind me nearly rear-ended us due to the sudden stall. My children were in the vehicle. All dashboard warning lights illuminated at the moment of the stall. I was able to restart the engine and move the vehicle slowly, in first gear only, into a nearby parking lot. The check engine light came on at that restart and has remained on since. The vehicle sat parked and off for approximately 90 minutes. Before restarting, I checked the engine oil level and it was within the normal range. On startup, my children and I both heard a loud knocking sound and noticed an unusual smell, and the engine idled roughly while in Park. I drove approximately 15 minutes home with the rough idle continuing. On arrival the vehicle smelled hot, with a burning odor, although the temperature gauge read approximately mid-scale and was not in the high range. The check engine light remained on and the oil level was again confirmed to be within range. The vehicle has been out of service since the incident and is currently at a dealership awaiting diagnosis. This is a 2020 Hyundai Palisade with approximately 93,000 miles at the time of failure. A sudden loss of motive power in a travel lane is a safety defect.
Two simultaenous problems happened: 1) loud clunking/thudding during low-speed turn. 2) Clunking/knocking/rattling noise from suspensions when going through uneven grounds. This both things happened before 20,000 miles. Had AWD coupling and rear differential unit replaced under warranty regarding problem 1). Had rear shocks replaced under warranty regarding problem 2). Found there has bben TSB issued related to 2), for older models, TSB 25-SS-004H but not for this year of models. Those two exact problems started again at about 40,000 miles. Had vehicle checked at 50,500 miles recently. Regarding problem 1), the dearship found issue with AWD coupling, stating faulty parts, drive shaft seal was 1/8" off and materials are fused. Replaced AWE coupling, and ECU program update. After program update, I do not see the power distribution monitor anymore from my dash. The program update should turned it off for some reason that I do not know. I have no clue that AWD module is working normal as I cannot see the power distribution action anymore. Regarding problem 2), they replaced both rear shocks again. The problem went away for now. This vehicle has been only 50,000 miles and had 4 major issues (2 times of two major identical issues) that alongside with many owners' compaints, and seems highly related to one of Technical Service Bulletin that was previously issued for older models. I would like to request investigation on these services.
Cylinder 1 and 6 rod bearing failure, plus complete destruction of piston number 6. On highway engine failed, sudden loss of power to move vehicle.
My 2022 Hyundai Palisade recently blew the engine due to very little oil (6 quarts). My wife stated that she was driving when it started to act weird. Very shortly after that she heard the vehicle making a loud knocking / banging sound. She stopped the vehicle and turned it off in the nearest parking lot. We had the vehicle towed to our certified mechanic to have it looked at. 6 quarts of oil was put into the engine before it was full. Both him and my wife stated the vehicle never showed a check engine light, low oil light or oil pressure problems. He stated the vehicle had no leaks. He advised us that Hyundai/Kia was having problems burning oil. This is a high risk and safety concerns since there was no warning, happened suddenly and could cause problems for people to find a safe place to pull off the roadway and interstate. So many things can happen if someone didn't hear the noise or have lights indicating a problem, therefor if this happened on the interstate people could struggle getting to the shoulder when engine locks up. Also, a piston or connecting rod can be ejected from an engine risking the safety of pedestrians on foot or driving down the road.
2020 palisades oil was changed ON TIME by my husband and at valvoline but has had extreme oil consumption after hitting around 90,000 and before oil change was due my engine is now ticking and is essentially blown.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- 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 knocking
Which Hyundai Palisade years have engine knocking or ticking problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (22 complaints), 2021 (9 complaints) and 2022 (3 complaints).
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