MODEL
Hyundai Palisade
NHTSA safety across every Hyundai Palisade model year we cover.
Across the 7 model years of the Hyundai Palisade we cover (2020 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2022 at 82 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2026 at 77. 32 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Hyundai Palisade is a three-row family SUV that competes directly against the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride in the mainstream midsize segment. Launched for 2020, it targets families who want genuine eight-passenger capacity, a composed highway ride, and a premium-leaning interior at a non-luxury price. It has become one of Hyundai's most visible volume sellers in North America.
The Palisade enters our evaluation with a mixed but meaningful safety record across the 2020 to 2025 model years. On the positive side, its best NHTSA Safety Index reaches 82 out of 100 for the 2020 model year, and peak crash-test scores are genuinely strong: five stars in both frontal and side impact testing, with four stars in rollover protection, which is a typical result for a tall, heavy three-row SUV. Those numbers reflect a structure that performs well in the scenarios most likely to cause serious injury. The recall picture, however, demands attention. Across the covered model years, the Palisade has accumulated 29 recalls, a notably high figure for a model this age. Most concerning among them are six campaigns serious enough to carry park-outside or do-not-drive advisories, signaling that NHTSA and Hyundai identified risks significant enough to pull vehicles off driveways entirely. Shoppers must verify their specific VIN is clear of open recalls before purchase or continued operation. Owner complaints total 2,165 across the generation, with 50 alleged crashes, 11 alleged fires, 53 alleged injuries, and 1 alleged death reported. These are unverified allegations and do not constitute confirmed findings, but the fire-related complaints in particular are consistent with the severity of some recall campaigns. The Palisade offers real crash-test strength, but its recall volume keeps its overall safety rating in the Average band for several model years. Verify your VIN. That step is non-negotiable here.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Palisade as one of the more refined entries in the midsize three-row SUV class, praising its well-appointed cabin materials, composed ride comfort, and strong value proposition relative to near-luxury competitors. Driving dynamics are described as smooth and confidence-inspiring for a vehicle of this size, and interior space draws consistent praise across all three rows.
- The Palisade has accumulated 29 recalls across the 2020 to 2025 model years. Six of those campaigns carried park-outside or do-not-drive directives, meaning NHTSA considered the risk serious enough to prohibit normal use until the repair was completed. Always run your VIN through NHTSA's recall database before buying or driving a used example.
- Peak crash-test performance is genuinely strong, with five stars in both frontal and side impact testing in the best-performing model year. However, the rollover rating holds at four out of five stars, which is common for tall three-row SUVs but worth noting if rollover risk is a priority concern for your family.
- The 2020 model year achieves the highest NHTSA Safety Index in our coverage window at 82 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. Later model years have landed in the Average band, so the model year you choose matters when comparing safety scores within this generation.
- Owner-reported complaints include 11 alleged fire incidents across the covered model years. These are unverified allegations, but combined with the severity of some recall campaigns, shoppers should confirm all open fire-related recalls are fully resolved on any specific vehicle before finalizing a purchase.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Hyundai Palisade with 6 recalls.