The well-rounded midsize 2020 Hyundai Palisade offers plenty of desirable class-leading features. There is enough space for seven to eight occupants in all three rows of the spacious SUV. 

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade shares the same platform as the industry’s besting selling Kia Telluride SUV. Its distinct upscale styling and on-road performance make it appealing to modern families looking for a comfortable ride.

Despite the many positive attributes of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, there is one annoying feature that is frustrating current owners.

Do you hear what I hear?

The most common complaint with the 2020 Hyundai Palisade is an irritating wind noise. Owners have reported that when driving, the whistling sound comes from around the driver and passenger doors.

New car owners are starting to notice the issue at around 1,750 miles of ownership. Most people find the sound the loudest when driving over 50 mph.

Others report hearing it when the car is in the 35 to 40 mph range. The sound is either a low hum or high-pitched whistle that typically worsens when drivers are on the highway.

It seems the doors aren’t the only place the sound is coming from. Palisade owners with sunroofs say the wind sound that comes through the roof is terrible. Keeping the sunshade closed is the only way to block the noise, but owners complain they can’t use the sunroof for its original intention because of the wind noise.

Distracted driving

Drivers of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade took to an online forum on Car Complaints to express their frustration with the wind noise. It is not only annoying but distracting as well.

One owner was quick to point out that he “worries about not being able to hear emergency sirens because of the frustrating wind noise.” He notes that the ongoing situation “could be fatal or cause traffic violations.”

It appears that even though the doors are properly sealed and shut tight, the sound continues. Another owner explained, “a decrease in speed mitigates the noise, but it can be rather deafening while driving on the highway.” A Palisade owner that took a long road trip said his ears were still ringing and that he may “have hearing loss.”

The wind noise has not gotten any better in the current 2021 Palisade model. It’s so prevalent that YouTube has many videos from drivers complaining about the wind noise issue. 

Car and Driver even noted in a recent review, “Noise from the road is suppressed; however, a large amount of wind noise penetrates the doors.”

What is causing the problem in the award-winning Hyundai Palisade?

Hyundai Motor Company is aware of the issue and, in November 2020, issued a Technical Service Bulletin to address the wind noise. The suggested fixes were to install a piece of high-density foam around the doors, replace weather stripping as needed, install a new mirror assembly, and adjust the door alignment.

Tire Meets Road reported that the “inner and outer weather stripping around the doors and mirrors does not perform as engineered.” If they are not perfectly aligned, the gaps in the inferior sealant allow air to seep in, causing the noise. It is clear evidence of a body structure that could have been put together better.

An unsatisfied owner contacted Hyundai directly about the wind noise in her brand-new Palisade. She was infuriated by the official response that stated, “The wind noise is a characteristic of the vehicle and is not covered per your 2020 Owner’s Handbook and Warranty.”

Owners that are still experiencing problems have taken the issue into their own hands. Online forums are recommending the use of a $3 Poly Foam Caulk to lessen the excessive noise. Tire Meets Road is quick to point out that this “is an embarrassment on Hyundai’s supposed legendary warranty, their engineers and their local service departments.”

Despite this common complaint, the 2020 Hyundai Palisade is overall a solid vehicle, this minor issue aside.