Three Hyundai owners have started a class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America, claiming that 2023-2025 Palisade SUVs have serious brake problems. The lawsuit was filed in California federal court and focuses on what the owners say are defective anti-lock braking systems (ABS) or traction control systems.
Lead plaintiff Camille Maldonado filed the complaint on May 9, stating that Hyundai has violated both state and federal consumer laws. The lawsuit says Hyundai has refused to properly fix these issues, leaving owners to drive vehicles with potentially dangerous brake problems.
I’ve looked into what’s happening with these Palisades, and the situation sounds concerning. The main issue involves how the brakes work on uneven roads. When Palisade owners drive over rough surfaces and try to stop, the brakes don’t work as expected.
What’s Wrong With the Brakes?
According to the lawsuit, the problem is in how the Palisade’s systems calculate wheel speed. When you press the brakes on a rough road, the system gets confused. This causes the brakes to quickly release and then reapply, which makes your stopping distance longer than it should be.
This isn’t just a small inconvenience – it’s a safety issue. Imagine needing to make a quick stop on a bumpy road, only to find your SUV takes much longer to stop than you expected.
I checked some owner forums and Reddit discussions to see what real Palisade drivers are saying. Many report similar experiences:
One Reddit user wrote: “I thought I was going crazy. Every time I drive down my gravel driveway and need to stop, the brake pedal pulses hard and the car takes forever to stop. My dealer says this is ‘normal ABS operation’ but it doesn’t happen in my other car.”
Another owner commented: “This happens to me on brick streets downtown. The brakes feel like they’re fighting against themselves. Really scary when there are pedestrians around.”
Hyundai’s Response
The lawsuit claims Hyundai knew about these Palisade brake problems before selling the vehicles. How? Through their pre-production testing, early customer complaints, and warranty data. But instead of fixing the issues or warning buyers, they kept selling the cars without mentioning the problem.
Many owners have taken their Palisades to dealerships for repair, only to be told there’s nothing wrong or that this is “normal operation.” Some dealers have attempted fixes, but according to the lawsuit, Hyundai hasn’t provided a real solution that works consistently.
I found several posts from frustrated owners who visited multiple dealerships looking for help:
“I’ve been to three different Hyundai service departments. The first told me nothing was wrong. The second said they’d ‘update the software‘ but nothing changed. The third admitted it’s a known issue but said they don’t have a fix yet.”
What the Plaintiffs Want
The lawsuit aims to represent all New York and Ohio residents who bought or leased a 2023-2025 Hyundai Palisade. The plaintiffs are asking for:
- Compensation for damages caused by the defect
- Restitution for money spent on vehicles with this problem
- A fix that actually works
The legal claims include breach of express warranty, violations of New York and Ohio consumer protection laws, fraudulent concealment, and unjust enrichment.
Trinette G. Kent from Lemberg Law LLC is representing the plaintiffs in this case, officially titled Maldonado, et al. v. Hyundai Motor America, Case No. 8:25-cv-00983, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
What This Means for Palisade Owners
If you own or lease a 2023-2025 Hyundai Palisade and have experienced these braking issues, you might have options:
- You could be eligible to join this class action lawsuit
- You should document any braking problems you experience
- Keep records of all dealer visits and repair attempts
- Consider filing a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
What Real Owners Are Experiencing
I dug deeper into owner forums to find more firsthand accounts of this brake issue. The stories are consistent and concerning:
“I first noticed it on a road trip through the mountains. Going downhill on a rough patch of road, I tried to slow down and the brakes seemed to pulse and grab. It felt like the ABS was activating, but there was no ice or reason for it. My SUV took almost twice the distance to stop than I expected. My kids were in the back and it scared me badly.”
Another owner reported: “The dealer told me this is ‘just how the new systems work’ but that doesn’t make sense. My old SUV never did this, and my friend’s new Toyota doesn’t do it either. Something’s wrong with these brakes.”
Several owners mentioned that the problem is most noticeable in specific conditions:
- Rough or uneven roads
- Gravel surfaces
- Brick or cobblestone streets
- Roads with minor potholes
- Slight downhill grades combined with rough surfaces
One particularly detailed account explained: “The issue isn’t constant. On smooth highways, the brakes work fine. But once you hit any kind of uneven surface, it’s like the computer gets confused. The brake pedal pulsates hard, sometimes pushing back against your foot, and the stopping distance increases dramatically. It’s most scary in emergency stopping situations where you really need predictable brakes.”
Hyundai’s Safety Claims vs. Reality
The lawsuit points out that Hyundai markets the Palisade as having top safety features. Their advertising emphasizes safety as a key selling point. The Palisade even earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
However, these brake issues call those safety claims into question. What good are advanced safety features if the basic stopping function isn’t reliable in all road conditions?
One frustrated owner commented: “I bought this $45,000 SUV partly because of the safety ratings. I have three kids and that was my top priority. Now I find out the brakes don’t work right on anything but perfect roads? That’s not what I signed up for.”
Similar Issues in Other Hyundai Models?
Some forum discussions suggest this might not be limited to just the Palisade. Owners of other Hyundai models have reported similar issues, suggesting there could be a broader problem with how Hyundai calibrates their ABS and traction control systems.
A Hyundai Santa Fe owner wrote: “After reading about the Palisade problems, I realized I’ve been experiencing the same thing. The ABS kicks in on rough roads even when I’m not in a skid situation, and it makes my stopping distance much longer.”
What To Do If You’re Affected
If you’re a Palisade owner experiencing these issues, here are some steps to take:
- Document every instance of the problem (date, location, road conditions)
- Take your vehicle to a Hyundai dealer and get their assessment in writing
- File a safety complaint with NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/report-problem
- Keep all service records related to brake issues
- Consider reaching out to the law firm handling the class action
One owner advised: “Make sure you get everything in writing. When I first complained, the service advisor acknowledged the issue verbally but then wrote ‘no problem found’ on my service receipt. I had to insist they document what they told me about it being a known issue.”
The Bigger Picture: Auto Safety Concerns
This lawsuit highlights a broader concern in the auto industry. As vehicles become more computerized with complex systems like ABS, traction control, and stability control, there are more opportunities for software calibration issues to affect basic safety functions.
Modern braking systems rely heavily on software to interpret sensor data and make split-second decisions. When that software doesn’t correctly interpret real-world conditions, safety problems can result.
An automotive engineer commenting on a forum explained: “These systems are incredibly complex now. The ABS module has to instantly decide if a wheel is actually locking up or if the sensor is just getting bounced around by a rough road. If Hyundai’s calibration is too sensitive, it could be triggering ABS when it’s not needed, which ironically makes stopping distances worse instead of better.”
Looking Forward
As this lawsuit progresses, more information will likely come to light about the exact nature of the alleged defect and what Hyundai knew. For now, Palisade owners should stay informed and take precautions if they experience these braking issues.
This situation serves as a reminder that even modern vehicles from reputable manufacturers can have significant safety issues. Being an informed owner and speaking up about problems isn’t just about getting your money’s worth – it could help prevent accidents and make vehicles safer for everyone.
Questions About This Lawsuit?
MyCarVoice.com is not counsel or the settlement administrator in this class action lawsuit. Our goal is to inform owners of these vehicles of the recent lawsuit. However, this post will be updated when/if new suit information is released.
Managing Editor
Christopher is an automotive technical writer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. Specializes in automotive class action law, industry trends, and automotive maintenance. Email me direct, or learn more about us
