Hyundai is recalling 167,085 Palisade SUVs from the 2021 model year through 2023. An estimated one percent may have a windshield wiper system that could fail completely under certain conditions. Last year, the Korean automaker recalled 126,081 Palisades from 2020 and 2021 for the same exact problem.
The Palisade has been a big hit for Hyundai as its flagship SUV. Despite that, it’s not without its share of imperfections. In August of 2022, Hyundai recalled the above-mentioned 126k units because the accumulation of snow and/or ice at the bottom of the windshield could cause the wiper system to function only intermittently or to fail altogether. Clearly, or perhaps in this case, not so clearly, a windshield wiper that doesn’t work makes visibility a major safety concern.
In December, the NHTSA announced that its internal Office of Defects Investigation had received similar complaints about newer models not included in the original recall. Today’s recall addresses those complaints. Hyundai said previously that external forces like accumulation could cause the wiper motor’s gear to be stripped and subsequently fail.
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In this new filing, it also mentions that the same accumulation can cause a circuit breaker activation which itself can temporarily disable the wiper arm. According to the automaker “Wiper operation resumes once the circuit breaker resets and/or the windshield is cleared of obstructions.”
Interestingly, the problem seems to be contained in the driver’s side windshield wiper arm. Affected models are getting a new one to remedy that concern at no cost to the customer. Buyers who own a Palisade made after November 22, 2022, have nothing to worry about regarding this issue as that’s the date when Hyundai implemented a fix.
Those concerned that they might have an affected unit can contact their local Hyundai dealer or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236. They can also search for active recalls using their VIN number at NHTSA.gov. Hyundai’s number for this recall is 243.
