Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Hyundai Palisade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, he heard an abnormal popping and hissing noise. The contact stated that he started to smell a burning odor. The contact was losing forward momentum. No warning lights illuminated. When he applied the accelerator pedal, the vehicle continued to slow down. The contact pulled off the highway, stopped the vehicle, and turned off the engine. The contact stated that almost immediately, smoke was issuing from under the front end. The contact stated that the vehicle burst into flames. The police and fire department were called. The fire was extinguished using chemicals. The police and fire departments issued reports. The vehicle was towed away to an impound lot. The contact stated that he had the transmission replaced in 2024. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
I had just pulled into a (handicapped) parking space at my bank in Marana Az. as I prepared to stop with the brake still depressed, the car suddenly surged, with the tach going to 5000rpm. The vehicle jumped the sidewalk (with rear wheels making drag marks on the sidewalk. Vehicle shot up the slight rise , hit and demolished a concrete bench and some plants and was heading toward the main entrance when I shut the engine off with the ignition key. The car stopped less than 10 feet from the bank entrance. the car came close to going through the entrance shattering the glass doors and possibly injuring bank customers and employees. There was no warning, but this car has had 3 or 4 sudden engine surges before - about one every 1 1/2 years. Hyundai service has checked and denied any problems. On line queries indicate the surging problems are not uncommon. …
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, and the engine seized. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred several times. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was almost involved in three crashes due to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
I bought this car as a certified pre-owned, picked it up on January 18, 2023. This is our family car and we took it on a 350 mile each way road trip on Jan 27. Upon arrival to our destination, driving around the city I noticed a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust. I checked the oil and there wasn't oil registering on the dipstick, so I added 5 quarts of oil to the car to get us home on Sunday Jan 29. Upon returning home, I got the car back to the dealer and they had it for a couple days but "couldn't replicate the smoke". The dealer began an oil consumption test based on Hyundai's instructions. Now I have to take the car back in every 1,000 miles to be checked. …
I am having 2 issues with my 2020 Palisade. First off, for the last 7 months I can feel some sort of slip in my transmission when I am between 40-60 mph. I took in in back in November to the dealership and they claim they didn't find any issues that I could reschedule and drive it with one of the techs at another appointment. Fast forward, took it to a different dealership this week for a second opinion because it's still happening and more frequent. They told me they felt it happen once. My car is still under warranty. They suggest a transmission flush, but it wasn't covered under warranty. My second problem is I've been caught in heavy downpour storms. Two times my car check engine light comes on and my car goes in limp mode. Basically puts me stranded because the car won't run. After a day of letting it sit and dry out, it will run and check engine light goes off. …
Car began giving us an issue while driving several months ago : driving up hills at a speed of 20 mph or less, the vehicle begins to jerk and pulse. There is also a knocking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Much of this also happens in parking lots at speeds of less than 10 mph. Driving at a speeds of greater than 60 mph / highway the car will pulse as well. This does not change with driving modes: ECO, Comfort, Sport or SMART mode. The engine is the same throughout modes- jerking and hesitating. When driving from highway to get gas or stop the car will have trouble when pressing on the gas pedal after being stopped then trying to enter the highway. The car is slow to respond to the gas pedal and will not accelerate matching your foot on the pedal. After some time the car will jerk forward and will not slow down when you take your foot off the gas. …
Safety Complaint Summary: I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL AWD, ~96,000 miles). This vehicle has suffered three major powertrain failures under 100,000 miles: - Full engine replacement (due to excessive oil consumption, unresolved for months) - AWD system repairs - Now requires a full transmission replacement When my engine began burning oil, Hyundai's service department charged me ~$500 and sent me back on the road without disclosing that this was a known issue. I continued running out of oil multiple times until an independent mechanic diagnosed the defect. My family was unknowingly placed at risk while Hyundai delayed resolution for 8 months. Diminished Value: The repeated nature of these failures not only raises safety concerns but has also destroyed the market value of the vehicle. …
The GDI v6 motor that's in it shudders and rattles when at idle. There's metallic shavings and gas smell on the dipstick. It's always low on oil and smokes a little at idle aswell. It's completely ran out of oil and been to the shop 3x so far in a years time. Add oil to it every 2-3 weeks at this point ,It's not leaking oil it's definitely burning it. Once the dealership even had to come tow it to the shop the car shut off in the middle of the road and then again in the driveway as my wife was trying to turn into the driveway she lost all power and steering she ended up in the middle of the front yard, thank god she was just getting home at the time of the incident. I've heard of the same engine giving problems and having an open recall for similar issues pertaining to a bearing and or rings being damaged or broken allowing for the oil to be dripping or being burnt. …
This vehicle has suffered two identical, catastrophic electrical failures causing an immediate and total loss of engine power while traveling at highway speeds. The first incident occurred after the engine was replaced under a Hyundai extended warranty. The dealership service department blamed that failure on a loose engine ground strap and released the vehicle back to me. On August 3, 2026, the exact same failure occurred for a second time while driving at high speed on the highway. The vehicle lost all propulsion, leaving me exposed to oncoming traffic with zero engine power. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership. The dealership identified a blown "Sensor 4" fuse causing an intermittent dead circuit, but they have been unable to locate the short circuit after two weeks of troubleshooting. …
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. …
Transmission complaints in other Palisade years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, 7% of the model year's 541 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Hyundai Palisade transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Hyundai Palisade transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.