2020 Hyundai Palisade: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own
Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data
First model year of the acclaimed three-row SUV; loved for its value, comfort and roomy cabin, but it drew the most owner complaints of the generation, led by 3.8L V6 oil-consumption reports, plus open seat-belt and third-row airbag recalls. Mid-tier insurance. 5 known issue patterns are documented below, with frequency and the mileage windows where they typically appear. New, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade ranged from $31,975 to $45,125 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).
This listing
Context from the listing you were viewing, not a market-price judgement.
First model year of the acclaimed three-row SUV; loved for its value, comfort and roomy cabin, but it drew the most owner complaints of the generation, led by 3.8L V6 oil-consumption reports, plus open seat-belt and third-row airbag recalls. Mid-tier insurance.
Sources (3)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=palis…
- cargurus.comhttps://www.cargurus.com/Cars/articles/hyundai-palisade-buying-guide
- autoblog.comhttps://www.autoblog.com/reviews/2024-hyundai-palisade-review
Known issues
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Excessive engine oil consumption on the 3.8L V6 (owners report burning roughly a quart every 1,000 miles) with no warning light; most frequently reported on the earlier 2020-2021 build years and in severe cases leading to stalling or engine replacement.
commonly reported · 150 NHTSA complaints · typically 40k–100k miles · engine
-
Third-row side-curtain airbag / ejection-mitigation defect addressed by a safety recall; owners report no remedy parts available, raising occupant-protection concerns in a rollover for third-row passengers.
occasional · 120 NHTSA complaints · other
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Front and rear seat-belt buckles fail to latch or release on their own while driving; the subject of a safety recall whose replacement parts have been on extended backorder, leaving some owners unable to safely secure occupants for months.
commonly reported · 230 NHTSA complaints · other
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Premature rear shock-absorber and self-leveling suspension failure, with knocking or clunking noises, sometimes recurring after warranty replacement.
occasional · 45 NHTSA complaints · typically 10k–40k miles · suspension
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Panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shatters or explodes without any external impact, sometimes at highway speed; a service bulletin acknowledges a deflector defect.
occasional · 25 NHTSA complaints · body
Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.
Sources (5)
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=palis…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=palis…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=palis…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=palis…
- api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=hyundai&model=palis…
Recalls & safety
Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.
Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Spacious, premium-feeling cabin with high-quality materials and a third row that comfortably seats adults.
- Quiet, composed and comfortable highway ride that owners consistently praise.
- Generous standard safety and driver-assist technology, backed by Hyundai 5yr/60k-mile basic and 10yr/100k-mile powertrain warranties.
- Outstanding value: delivers near-luxury features and finish (especially the Calligraphy trim) well below the price of comparable luxury three-row SUVs.
Cons
- A single aging 3.8L V6 powertrain with no hybrid option; real-world fuel economy is thirsty (around 19 mpg) versus newer hybrid rivals.
- Engine oil-consumption reports on the 3.8L V6, most prominent on the 2020-2021 model years, are the dominant durability concern.
- Multiple open safety recalls (seat-belt buckles, third-row airbag) with documented parts-availability delays.
- Consumer Reports rates predicted reliability below the class average for several of these model years.
Trims & original pricing
| Trim | Original base MSRP | New today | Engine | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | $31,975 | $39,435 | — | — |
| SEL | $33,925 | $41,940 | — | — |
| Limited | $45,125 | $49,770 | — | — |
Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.
Sources (2)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2020-hyundai-palisade-price
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/hyundai-palisade-price
Depreciation
Move your cursor along the line to see the estimated value for any year.
This listing sits above the typical depreciation curve. Common for heavily-optioned cars and for 2021-2023 model years (pandemic-era pricing); the curve is anchored at base MSRP, which excludes options.
Curve anchored at the entry-trim base MSRP ($31,975). Higher trims started higher (up to $45,125), and options added more.
Curve outlook: a typical 2020 loses roughly another 29% of its value over the next 3 years. These are estimates from public data, not a market-price claim.
Sources (1)
- iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/hyundai-palisade/resale-value
Cost to own
| Insurance (medium tier) | ≈ $2,300–2,400/yr |
| Expected lifespan | ~200k miles |
National-average estimates based on public data. Your costs vary by region, driver, and condition.
Sources (2)
- moneygeek.comhttps://moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/hyundai-palisade-insurance/
- repairpal.comhttps://repairpal.com/reliability/hyundai/palisade
Frequently asked questions
What problems does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have?
Documented issue patterns include: Excessive engine oil consumption on the 3.8L V6 (owners report burning roughly a quart every 1,000 miles) with no warning light; most frequently reported on the earlier 2020-2021 build years and in severe cases leading to stalling or engine replacement; Third-row side-curtain airbag / ejection-mitigation defect addressed by a safety recall; owners report no remedy parts available, raising occupant-protection concerns in a rollover for third-row passengers; Front and rear seat-belt buckles fail to latch or release on their own while driving; the subject of a safety recall whose replacement parts have been on extended backorder, leaving some owners unable to safely secure occupants for months; Premature rear shock-absorber and self-leveling suspension failure, with knocking or clunking noises, sometimes recurring after warranty replacement. Frequency is based on public NHTSA complaint data: patterns, not guarantees.
Is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade reliable?
First model year of the acclaimed three-row SUV; loved for its value, comfort and roomy cabin, but it drew the most owner complaints of the generation, led by 3.8L V6 oil-consumption reports, plus open seat-belt and third-row airbag recalls. Mid-tier insurance.
How much did the 2020 Hyundai Palisade cost new?
Between $31,975 and $45,125 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.
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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.