Hyundai Palisade Odor Issue: Causes, Fixes, and Consumer Options

Understanding the Hyundai Palisade Odor Problem

The Hyundai Palisade has been praised for its spacious interior, luxury-like features, and competitive pricing. However, some 2020 and 2021 models have been plagued by an unpleasant odor that has frustrated owners. Described as a mix of body odor and decaying produce, this issue has been widely reported, particularly in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The source? A manufacturing defect in the imitation-leather head restraints, leading to an unpleasant off-gassing process.

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Hyundai's Investigation and Initial Fixes

Hyundai acknowledged the issue after numerous complaints and launched an investigation, which included testing affected vehicles, including a long-term test unit owned by MotorVero. The automaker traced the problem to the specific manufacturing process of the imitation leather used in the head restraints, distinct from the rest of the vehicle’s upholstery.

In response, Hyundai provided a warranty-covered replacement of the head restraints. Unfortunately, some owners, including those at MotorVero, reported that the odor persisted even after the replacements.

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Ongoing Odor Issues and Environmental Impact

Despite Hyundai's corrective actions, many owners continued to notice the odor, particularly in warmer temperatures when the vehicle was exposed to direct sunlight. This suggested that the scent had permeated other porous materials in the car’s interior, including the seat cavities. The unpleasant smell, though diminished, still lingered in some cases, raising concerns about the overall effectiveness of Hyundai’s solution.

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Further Attempts to Eliminate the Smell

As part of continued efforts, Hyundai recommended applying deodorizing treatments within the head-restraint mounting holes, a process performed multiple times in affected vehicles. Despite these treatments, residual odors remained noticeable to more scent-sensitive individuals.

MotorVero’s evaluation found that while the issue had improved, it had not been entirely resolved. The smell intensity, which once ranked a 10 on a 10-point scale, was now around a 3 or 4. While significantly less pungent, it still posed a nuisance to sensitive individuals.

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Hyundai’s Official Response

Hyundai has maintained that replacing the head restraints with defect-free parts resolves the issue for most owners. However, some vehicles may continue to exhibit residual odors due to previous contamination of interior materials.

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What Can Affected Owners Do?

For those still experiencing the issue, there are a few options:

• Ensure Proper Repairs: Confirm that all Hyundai-recommended fixes, including replacing head restraints, have been completed.
• Consider Interior Deep Cleaning: Professional cleaning, including ozone treatment, may help remove lingering odors.
• Monitor for Recurrence: Keeping track of odor intensity and conditions under which it worsens can be useful if further action is needed.
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Legal Options: Warranty Disputes & Lemon Laws

If the problem persists, owners can pursue a warranty dispute through the Better Business Bureau Auto Line, a third-party dispute resolution program recommended by Hyundai. Additionally, affected consumers in states with strong lemon laws may qualify for a buyback or replacement vehicle.

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Final Thoughts: Is the Hyundai Palisade’s Odor Issue Resolved?

While Hyundai has addressed the issue with revised head restraints and deodorizers, the lingering smell remains a concern for some owners. For those sensitive to odors, the problem may never fully disappear. If you own a Hyundai Palisade and still experience this issue, following Hyundai’s official recommendations is the first step. If that fails, exploring legal options might be necessary.

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