2020 Hyundai Palisade problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
32%
153 of 479 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 32% of relevant complaints.
Better than 67% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 58 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 28%).
Does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 153 of 479 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Palisade concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (32%). For comparison, the 2021 scores 24%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
What owners reported
ENGINE09/24/2026
My 2020 Hyundai Palisade (3.8L V6) has a persistent engine defect causing sudden stalling and severe oil consumption. Since mid-2019 the engine has stalled without warning when coming to a stop, idled roughly, and made loud puttering noises under light acceleration — a loss-of-power hazard in traffic. In 2026 the deale…
ENGINE09/23/2026
Defect & Safety Hazard: Severe internal manufacturing defect causing catastrophic engine oil consumption and sudden, un-warned engine stalling. The vehicle completely shuts down at highway speeds, on inclines, and at stops. This sudden loss of motive power deactivates power steering and braking assists, creating an imm…
ENGINE09/18/2026
I am reporting severe and recurring oil consumption in my 2020 Hyundai Palisade that could cause engine damage, engine seizure, stalling, or a sudden loss of power while driving. On April 14, 2026, at approximately 89,950 miles, an authorized Hyundai dealership documented that the engine had consumed approximately 1.3 …
Three of 153 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Recall campaigns on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade (5)
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Palisade vehicles. The mounting bolts used to secure the side curtain air bags may damage the side curtain air …
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
TRAILER HITCHES
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling 2020-2022 Palisade vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an…
This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.
Before you buy a 2020 Hyundai Palisade
No elevated drivetrain pattern for this model year. That describes the model, not the car in front of you.
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
5 recall campaigns on this model year. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on the VIN; the report checks that.
Ask for service records. A engine already replaced under warranty is a different car from one that was not.
Questions people ask about the 2020 Hyundai Palisade
Does the 2020 Hyundai Palisade have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 153 of 479 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Palisade concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (32%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2020 Hyundai Palisade. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Hyundai Palisade years are better?
Among the Hyundai Palisade years we track, the 2023 (21%), the 2021 (24%) and the 2022 (26%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2020 (32%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2020 Hyundai Palisade?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2020 Hyundai Palisade shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history
report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition
of any individual vehicle.