Palisade Brake Issues

Hyundai Palisade Safety Concerns

The Hyundai Palisade has been on fire in the U.S. market, ranking fourth in Hyundai’s lineup, only behind the Tucson, Elantra, and Santa Fe, with over 44,500 units sold in just the first five months of this year. Yet, this popular SUV is caught in the headlights of a class action lawsuit due to concerns over its Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and traction control.

Lawsuit Details

Three plaintiffs have stepped up, claiming that the Palisade’s brakes intermittently fail on rough and uneven roads, causing the SUV to skid or slide rather than stop effectively. This lawsuit is aiming to represent Palisade owners from New York and Ohio, and seeks restitution for these alleged issues.

The problem reportedly stems from the vehicle’s ABS and traction control systems misinterpreting wheel speed when braking over bumps. This results in the system rapidly engaging and disengaging, leading to longer stopping distances than anticipated. Now, imagine trying to stop a heavy SUV, and instead, it feels like it’s got a mind of its own, almost sliding just beyond your reach, a bit like trying to grab the last cookie from a jar just out of reach.

Customer Experiences

The experiences of the plaintiffs, Camille Maldonado, Shlomo Vizel, and Terrance Rubin are concrete examples of the issues. They reported that their Palisades felt like they were skidding across uneven surfaces, with one of them even being reassured by a dealer that this shaky ABS performance was “normal,” while another was told the problem was beyond the dealership’s knowledge.

Company Awareness and Historical Complaints

Allegations also suggest Hyundai knew of these issues during pre-production testing and from early customer complaints. Some SUV owners have even shared their concerns on online forums since February 2023, with one NHTSA complaint illustrating an instance where the vehicle’s emergency system had to take action after a brief failure during a meager 5 mph drive.

The Driving Experience

Despite the legal issues, when the Palisade is not grappling with these alleged braking challenges, it provides a ride often praised for being smooth and composed. Its spacious interior makes it a family favorite, offering a substantial amount of technology, comfort, and the flexibility to engage in long journeys without much fuss. Yet, what makes it stand out, or perhaps not stand out enough, are the positive reviews it usually gets for an urban SUV of its size, drawing parallels to the likes of the Kia Telluride or even the Honda Pilot.

For prospective buyers or current owners, the safety concerns highlighted by this lawsuit emphasize the importance of staying informed and tuned into customer feedback and official manufacturer updates. Hyundai has yet to comment publicly on the legal proceedings, but as the discussions evolve, keeping a close eye on further developments is key.