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Hyundai’s popular and high-end Palisade SE, SEL, and Limited emit such a strong, foul smell in the cabin it makes some passengers nauseous, a new class action lawsuit claims.
The nationwide class action lawsuit was filed in Minnesota on April 27 by lead Plaintiffs Richard Stucki and Travis Tharpe, who allege that Hyundai continues to install the cars with foul smelling trim and leather seats, despite knowing about the odor issues.
They also say that the car company has failed or refused to provide any permanent solutions to consumers, instead instructing customers to use Febreeze in their cabins.
“In a word, the Palisade stinks,” the class action lawsuit states.
“Some owners cannot drive their vehicles because the smell is so strong it makes them or their passengers nauseous. Other owners, while able to drive the vehicle, have experienced the inconvenience or even embarrassment of driving a brand new car that smells, variously described as rotten seaweed, garbage, garlic, rotten produce, or, in some descriptions, like ‘****’,” the claim states.
The Palisade’s retail price starts at $33,515 and they are marketed as the “the ultimate family vehicle for practical, comfortable daily use and memory making road trips whenever the appeal of the open road should beckon.”
However, the claim says that the vehicles do not hold up to what Hyundai promises, warrants, and discloses to consumers.
Stucki, a Minnesota resident, bought his new Hyundai Palisade Limited AWD in May 2020. He said that he believed that the car would not only be a safe and reliable vehicle, but at its premium price, would be of a quality associated with comparable luxury lines.
However, after only a few hundred miles, Stucki and his wife began to notice a strong foul odor after the Palisade sat in their garage overnight or when it was parked in a sunny location, according to the claim.
In July, he took the car to the dealer who denied the smell, the claim states. He subsequently reported the issue to Hyundai’s customer service. Between July and November he repeatedly tried to contact Hyundai for a resolution, but was told the company was unaware of the issue – despite numerous complaints online, the class action lawsuit states. He still has received no help from the company, the class action alleges.
Tharpe, who lives in Georgia, had a similar experience, purchasing his new Palisade in February 2020.
“Shortly after taking possession of his Palisade, Tharpe smelled a foul odor emanating from inside the vehicle,” the claim says.
Tharpe was also unsuccessful in securing any solution from Hyundai’s customer service and his vehicle is still defective, according to the class action lawsuit.
Some customers describe the smell as “really bad breath,” a “garlicky smell,” “hot garbage,” a “weird greasy electrical odor of sorts,” and “like old worn socks,” the claim explains. However, Hyundai is yet to issue a recall or buyback program, despite the known defect.
In October 2020, the company issued a Technical Service Bulletin telling consumers to use basic household cleaning materials, such as Febreze. “This did not fix the defect,” the claim says.
Stucki and Tharpe want to represent anyone in the country that purchased or leased a Hyundai Palisade beginning with model year 2020, primarily for personal use, and not for resale. They are suing for breach of warranty, violation of state consumer and trade laws, unjust enrichment, concealment, and negligent misrepresentation.
They seek certification of the Class, damages, restitution, disgorgement, fees, and a jury trial.
The smelly cabin isn’t the only issue facing Hyundai vehicles. In December, Hyundai had to recall approximately 130,000 vehicles for stalling and engine fires, in connection with a vehicle defect involving engine failures.
Do you own a Hyundai Palisade? Have you noticed any foul odors in the cabin? Let us know in the comments section!
The vehicle owners are represented by Anne T. Regan, Nathan D. Prosser, and Brian W. Nelson of Hellmuth & Johnson.
The Hyundai Smelly Cabin Class Action Lawsuit is Stucki, et al. v. Hyundai Motor America, Inc., Case No. 0:21-cv-01085, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
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34 thoughts onHyundai’s ‘Memory Making’ Palisade Leaves Drivers With Memories of Rotten Seaweed and Trash, Class Action Alleges
I have a 2021 Limited Palisade and have had nothing but problems with it. The foul odor is obviously the biggest one. It makes us sick to even drive it. Dealership has tried to “remedy” the problem, but they basically blow me off every time we have mentioned it over the past year. I have also contacted corporate and am in the process of filing a claim with the BBB.
Aside from the odor, the car is already starting to rust underneath, I am having electrical problems with the seats, my car locks me out with the key fob still inside, the GPS has never worked, the right front speaker sounds blown, the front camera has already needed to be replaced, and there was a recall on the front door.
I never complain about anything. I understand that nothing is perfect and mistakes happen, but this is all not just coincidence. The odor is obviously a major problem affecting thousands of vehicles and Hyundai is not doing anything about it. I feel like these Palisades may have been made too fast or not inspected properly due to the pandemic and the high demand of people waiting on them.
Please add me to the list! In April 2022 a lady crashed into my driver door of my 2017 Hyundai Tucson and the autobody collision company replaced the door with a new door from the Hyundai manufacturer. When I picked up the car it looked great but the smell was of the door was bad, and when the temperature is hot outside the door smells like a dead animal. Took the car back for an inspection and they said the smell is from the glue used on the door shell. I’m in the process of having the door replaced again. The smell is horrific!
How does the United States allow this to happen. We need to protest these vehicles and stop this from continuing. If that means getting a permit and standing in front of the dealerships..
I bought my 2020 Palisade in February of 2020, it smelled funny when I first got it but around June 2020 when the weather started getting warm it was terrible, I have taken the car in for several treatments ,I have sprayed and hung all types of air fresheners in the car with no resolve and I don’t know what to do next.
My 2020 Palisade Limited FWD has had an odor after the new car smell wore off. Complained to the dealer & they said we needed a new cabin filter. Still smells. Please add me to the list. I also complained about front window noise over 40 mph which they admitted to but said the factory fix did not solve the problem. The noise continues.
add me!!
I have a 2021 palisade calligraphy. my car smells TERRIBLE! the smell seems like it is coming from under the seats.
Add me to the list please.
Yes! Us too!! 2021 LTD Palisade purchased beginning Feb 2021, grey interior. Started smelling in May. Couldn’t find the cause ANY WHERE and we do NOT eat or drink in the car so I knew it wasn’t good though it smells like spoiled food. It’s so embarrassing if anyone else is in the car and just nasty every time we get in the car.
My husband bought a 2021 Hyundai Palisade and it’s been to the dealer twice “to fix the smelly seats” However, nothing has worked. It’s awfuk
Bought a 2021 Limited with 2,700 miles that was on a lot at another make’s dealership. Was traded in after only 4 months. Dealership was 100 miles from home and a cold, rainy day when I picked it up in March. Didn’t notice the smell until the following week when it was sunny and warm and the Palisade was parked outside for a few hours. Fast forward to now, have had the headrests replaced and the smell is worse than ever. Have let it sit for a few days with all of the headrests out, still stinks. This is bigger than a headrest issue and I will be joining the class action, so disappointing…
Add me to the list …2021. just got new headrests in and Hyundai said to strip them and leave them out in the sun for 8 hours. Been without my car for almost 24 hours … ridiculous