What 413 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid Hev

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.

NHTSA ODI 11742363

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.

NHTSA ODI 11735447

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.

NHTSA ODI 11697732

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.

NHTSA ODI 11647919

Sunroof shattered without object impact during cold weather.

NHTSA ODI 11643016

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.

NHTSA ODI 11621775

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.

NHTSA ODI 11597175

The sunroof on our 2021 Hyundai Palisade spontaneously shattered while driving. There were no other vehicles around, it just exploded. Fortunately the shade cover was closed so no glass flew into the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11564760

1) While I was driving, the “Rear passenger door trim” started to come off of my car. My car was not hit and I did not hit anything. Upon further evaluation, the plastic pieces holding the trim on were broken. How they became broken is unknown. I was able to reattach trim to my car, but it is still loose because the plastic pieces holding the trim on are still broken. 2) It was a safety hazard to others while driving on the road. If it flew off my car while driving on the highway, it could hit other cars, potentially causing an accident. In addition, it was difficult for my child to climb out of the car without getting cut by the trim. 3) my dealer has verified that the trim is broken and loose on my car. 4) the Hyundai dealer has inspected to problem. $550 was the verbal quote to replace. Not covered by warranty. 5) no warning messages for the problem. My child told me about it when she tried to get out of the rear passenger door. Problem first noticed July 2023. Looking online, multiple people have complained about this happening to them for no reason on the same exact car. I believe the plastic pieces holding the trim on the car are defective.

NHTSA ODI 11546051

Sun roof glass spontaneously shattered while driving on the freeway without hitting anything else with glass falling on to the Sun shade

NHTSA ODI 11531181

While driving our Palisade on the freeway, the sunroof exploded without warning. Fortunately, the sunroof was closed and we had the internal compartment closed and no one was behind us on the freeway. So the glass did not enter the vehicle or hit another vehicle. But if the indoor compartment was open then glass would have entered into the vehicle and striking individuals in the car. The shattered glass did do damage to the top of our car (i.e. scratches deep enough to take off the paint completely). Based on online forums, and one law firm’s (based in Connecticut) website, this is a known problem with the Hyundai Palisade. It also appears that the NHTSA is investigating the Kia Sorento for this same problem. Thus, the problem has been replicated in other vehicles and Kia/Hyundai are aware of the problem. Our vehicle has not yet been inspected by anyone (we are taking it to the dealer in the near future). There was no warning that this was going to happen, it just sounded like a gun was being fired in our car.

NHTSA ODI 11500475

When i was driving on an interstate suddenly the Sunroof glass bursted and shattered in to pieces. There was nothing fell on to us only because I had the sunroof cover closed. I just heard a huge noise like shotgun fired and found out that the glass shattered and blew out a hole in the sunroof glass about 18" across. I was 6 hours from home and took it the the local dealer for review the following day. The dealer did promptly and professionally address the matter and they are covering it under warranty. Many owners of Palisades reported this issue as well

NHTSA ODI 11451386

I cut my leg, badly, getting out of the car. There is a very sharp edge on the bottom corner of the door. My leg brushed against the door and I got a 2-inch long, deep gash. A review of Hyundai Palisade owner websites show other people have experienced the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11427308

DRIVER SIDE GLASS HAS DEVELOPED A HAIRLINE CRACK APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES LONG, WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11407892

WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. DEALER VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI 11402667

THE DESIGN OF THE SHIFTING MECHANISM IS BACKWARDS SO THAT DRIVERS MEANING TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE (AND GO FORWARD) WILL EASILY CONFUSE THE BUTTONS AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE (SENDING THE VEHICLE BACKWARDS). THINKING ABOUT A SHIFT KNOB ON A STANDARD VEHICLE, ONE THINKS OF THE KNOB IN "REVERSE" AS BEING BACK TOWARDS THE REAR WINDSHIELD. SAME WITH A MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR: TO GO FORWARD YOU SELECT THE POSITION IN THE FRONT, AND TO GO BACK, YOU SELECT THE POSITION IN THE BACK. THE CONFUSION HAPPENED TO ME OFTEN ENOUGH THAT I ALWAYS LOOK AT THE BUTTONS CAREFULLY BEFORE GOING FORWARD TO MAKE SURE"D" HAS LIT UP. MY HUSBAND, WHO USUALLY DRIVES ANOTHER CAR, DROVE THIS VEHICLE AND PRESSED "" BY ACCIDENT TWICE AND THE CAR OBVIOUSLY WENT BACKWARDS WHEN HE MEANT TO GO FORWARDS. EVERYONE I ASK HAS AGREED WITH US THAT THE NATURAL (AND THEREFORE MOST SAFE) ORIENTATION WOULD BE TO HAVE THE MOST FORWARD BUTTON BE DRIVE, AND THE BOTTOM TOWARDS THE BACK BE REVERSE. ALTHOUGH WE AVOIDED CRASHES, I THINK THIS DESIGN CREATES THE REAL POSSIBILITY OF MANY ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI 11374318

TOXIC GASEOUS CONTAMINANTS,. DEALER UNDER THE DIRECT GUIDANCE OF THE HYUNDAI CORPORATE TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT. DEALER AND HYUNDAI CORPORATION HAS MADE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE GASEOUS TOXIC SMELL FROM THIS VEHICLE AND SOLUTIONS ARE NOT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. I MUST SAY I AM DISAPPOINTED HYUNDAI CORPORATION AND STIVERS HYUNDAI OWNER AND REPRESENTATIVES FAILED TO INFORM US OF THE ONGOING GASEOUS ODOR DILEMMA OF THE PALISADE LIMITED PURCHASED /DEL DAT 11AUG2020 'SICK HOUSE SYNDROME', NAUSEA, OR FATIGUE FROM EXPOSURE TO VOCS. SOME VOCS MAY EVEN CAUSE CANCER WITH A HIGH EXPOSURE CONCENTRATION. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CLOSED UP FOR OVER 24HOURS WE OPENED THE PALISADE AND RECEIVED A GASEOUS CHEMICAL ODOR EMANATING FROM ALL FOUR DOORS AND THE REAR HATCH WHICH WAS BOTH DEBILITATING AND FRIGHTENING. MY WIFE IMMEDIATELY HAD AN ASTHMATIC ATTACK AND CAUSED A HEADACHE WITH BOTH EVENTS REQUIRING MEDICATION . I PERSONALLY WAS CHOKED BY THE ODOR AND ALMOST VOMITED . I IMMEDIATELY OPEN ALL DOORS AND STUPIDLY TRIED TO LOCATE WHICH AREA OF THE VEHICLE THE TERRIBLE ODOR CAME FROM . IT WAS TOO STRONG AN ODOR TO DETECT ANY ONE AREA AND IT PERMEATED FROM ALL THE DOORS AND REAR HATCH. "WHAT I DID ACHIEVE WAS ENOUGH OF THE GASEOUS CHEMICAL COMPOUND IN MY MOUTH'S MUCOUS MEMBRANE AND MY AIRWAY THAT MY TASTE AND BREATH HAD THE RESIDUAL ODOR FOR OVER FOUR HOURS. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE THAT WE CANNOT WITHSTAND AGAIN. MY WIFE CERTAINLY CANNOT WITHSTAND LIFE THREATENING ASTHMATIC ATTACKS CAUSED BY OUR BRAND NEW HYUNDAI VEHICLE, THE PALISADE I HAVE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA CANNOT DISCLOSE TO ME WHAT CONTAMINANTS ARE CAUSING THIS TOXIC ODOR. WHAT IS IT AND WHAT LEVEL OF WHATEVER IT IS WOULD BE POISONOUS ? TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 20-BD-018H IS NON SCIENTIFIC AND NON ENGINEERED COVER UP OF HAZARDOUS HEALTH ISSUE TO ALL CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ODI 11372349