NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Hyundai Palisade Safety Ratings
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade scores 82 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 507 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 82/100, placing it in the Strong band. Five NHTSA crash-test stars overall and a full avoidance-tech score anchor that result, though five recalls and a defect-record subscore of only 6/20 are meaningful cautions for buyers.
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade received a five-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 82/100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade ranks 61 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 82 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 14.3% |
| Recalls on file | 5 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 507 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 61 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
The 2020 Palisade launched with no prior-year Safety Index on file, making this inaugural score of 82/100 the baseline against which later model years are measured. The crash-protection subscore of 66 out of 70 is the primary driver of that Strong-band result, reflecting a sweep of five-star ratings in frontal and side disciplines and a clean dynamic tip-test outcome. The avoidance-tech subscore is a perfect 10/10, reflecting forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all standard on this configuration. What pulls the overall Index down is the defect record subscore of just 6/20, a direct consequence of five recall campaigns. Two of those campaigns involve curtain air bag systems, one specifically flagging mounting bolts on 2020 Palisades only. A third targets rear seat belt buckles across a broad production range that includes this year. The park-outside tow hitch harness recall, tied to a fire risk, is the most operationally urgent item for any used buyer. The 507 owner complaints, while unverified, show concentrated allegations around engine and wiper systems, the latter aligning directly with the wiper motor recall campaign. Taken together, the crash-test performance is genuinely strong, but the defect record demands active follow-through.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Hyundai Palisade perform in crash tests?
NHTSA awarded the 2020 Palisade AWD five stars overall, five stars frontal, and five stars side. The one area that steps back is rollover protection, rated four out of five stars, with a measured rollover risk of 14 percent and a dynamic tip-test result of No Tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 14545
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have any recalls?
Yes, five recalls cover this model year. Components include side and window curtain air bags (two separate campaigns), rear seat belt buckle assemblies, and windshield wiper motor failure. One campaign, involving a tow hitch harness with a potential fire risk, carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation and warrants immediate VIN verification.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN26V034000
Risk: Improper side curtain air bag deployment increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective film over the rear window and remove padding, as necessary free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning March 13, 2026. Final remedy owner letters will be mailed in phases, beginning in June 2026 and expected to continue through December 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Reported 2026-01-23
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY25V607000
Risk: Seat belt buckles that fail to latch may not properly restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Passengers are advised to insert the belt firmly into the buckle with a quick and direct motion, pulling on the belt to confirm the seat belt is fully secured, until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assemblies, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed beginning October 23, 2025. Final remedy owner letter
Reported 2025-09-12
TRAILER HITCHES22V633000
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 235.
Reported 2022-08-18
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR22V627000
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 233.
Reported 2022-08-15
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW19V802000
Risk: Damaged side curtain air bags may not inflate properly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover on the mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 186.
Reported 2019-11-07
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
Owners have filed 507 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported components are Engine (116 alleged reports) and Visibility/Wiper systems (114), followed by Unknown or Other (82), Suspension (60), Seat Belts (47), and Electrical System (41). These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
507 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
The 2020 Palisade was subject to multiple significant safety campaigns. Any shopper considering a used model should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before purchase. The "park outside" tow hitch harness campaign and both curtain air bag recalls each require confirmed remedy completion, not just dealer assurance, before the vehicle changes hands.
- A 2020-only recall campaign addresses mounting bolts securing the side curtain air bags, a defect distinct from the broader 2020-2025 curtain air bag deployment recall issued later.
- The tow hitch harness recall carries an explicit park-outside or do-not-drive advisory due to fire risk, making it the highest-urgency open item for this specific model year.
- The defect-record subscore of 6/20 is the single largest drag on the 82/100 Safety Index, meaning the strong crash-test scores alone do not tell the full safety story for this year.
- Visibility and Wiper systems rank as the second-most-alleged complaint category with 114 unverified reports, a pattern consistent with the wiper motor recall that specifically names 2020-2021 Palisade production.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Hyundai Palisade places
The 2020 Hyundai Palisade qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Hyundai Palisade safety questions
Was the 2020 Hyundai Palisade crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 82 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Hyundai Palisade crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 14.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 507 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Palisade years
Rivals in SUV (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 14545), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Palisade 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 61 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.