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We can build rockets that land on barges and fly a helicopter on Mars, but a brand-new SUV can still throw a tantrum in traffic like a toddler at a grocery store.
That’s what happened to Kathleen Beck, a Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy owner from New Jersey. After just 60 miles, barely enough time to smudge the window sticker, her 2026 Palisade began violently shaking on the Garden State Parkway.
She’d driven it home from the dealership on Saturday. By Monday morning, it was shaking so badly she could barely hold the steering wheel.
“Hi all! Hoping for advice. I purchased a new 2026 Palisade Calligraphy on Saturday and traded in my 2021 Calligraphy. I loved my 2021- zero complaints It has been a dream to drive, but 4 years in, I had almost 75,000 miles on it and decided now was the time to upgrade while I still had some equity.
I drove it home at 5 PM on Saturday… It sat in my driveway all day Sunday while I got things done around the house. Today I took it to work. I live in New Jersey, so I was driving on the Garden State Parkway for about 20 minutes, doing about 65/75 miles an hour. Seven minutes in, I started to feel a rumbling, and then the vibrations got stronger and stronger.
By the time I reached my exit, the car was shaking so badly that it was even hard to grip the steering wheel. Even with my foot on the brake at a stoplight, the car was rumbling and vibrating- not normal.
The more I accelerated and the more I drove it (about a half a mile from the exit to my office), the worse the shaking became. I had it towed from my office back to the dealership 25 minutes away. The dealership said they drove the car around and took it on the Parkway again to no avail. They can’t replicate the issue.
Right now, I have a Hyundai Sonata that I’m driving around as a loaner… And I really want to get to the bottom of this. The car is less than 48 hours old to me. It has 60 miles on it. I’m so upset. The dealership is keeping it overnight to run some more tests on it, but so far, they can’t figure out what’s going on. Has anyone experienced anything like this on a recent Palisade?
What would you do in this situation? We’ve had a lot of rain in New Jersey lately… The port near Newark/Bayonne is where we get a lot of cars imported from the ships overseas. I’m wondering if there was any kind of flooding or possible water in the engine or pumps before it was delivered to the dealership on Wednesday in South Jersey. Apparently, it came in on Wednesday, and I bought it on Saturday.
I’m afraid to take it back home and drive on the parkway with my two little girls. It honestly scared the crap out of me, and I’m kicking myself for not taking a video. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated! 
*** Update *** I want to thank you all for your *mostly* positive and supportive comments.
While I agree with pretty much everything you all expressed (minus the fact that I shouldn’t have bought a 2026 because of the new body style… it’s still the same engine/trans/computer as my 2021 that has served me well and technically, Hyundai should be making improvements each year as they receive feedback and measure the issues that arise), I also wanted to let you know that my dealership (despite not finding the issue and doing all kinds of tests and driving it on the Parkway at high speeds for an additional 80 mikes), told me that I do not have to keep this car if it makes me worried or uncomfortable and if I am afraid the issue will present again (which I do feel that way and there’s no way I was going to take the vehicle back).
They have given me a Sonata, which I expressed doesn’t suit my lifestyle with kids and friends and needing the 3rd row and hatchback space, so they are swapping my loaner in the morning. They are searching for the exact color combo and trim I previously had and loved (the blue with the brown interior and those pretty rims), and they are hoping that within a few days, they can find the right one for me and bring it back to NJ for me to have instead.
I know they are working hard to meet my needs and expectations, and I appreciate their kindness; not once have they been rude or not accommodating to me. I am very pleased with Causeway Hyundai of NJ and, in particular, their sales manager, Ken, and Karey and Joseph in the Service Dept. One last thing: I know that the majority of times in a group like this, you’re going to see issues pop up that leave a negative taste in our mouths. No one wants to deal with a car that has issues when we spend so much money, and we need safe, reliable vehicles.
But I also recognize that no matter what brand, no matter what model, we could join any of these car Facebook pages and see the same issues and complaints. We won’t see the majority of positive reviews because that’s the nature of these amazing groups, where we can come to vent, or in my case, try to figure out an issue. Overall, I have been extremely happy with my 2021 Palisade. I have owned 2 Hondas, 1 Acura, and we have a Toyota 4Runner at home as well. I could get a lemon at Toyota… it happens.
I know Hyundai may not be that reliable after 100,000 miles, but I also see the value in someone like me who services early and regularly at the dealer, and I personally know the mechanic who works on my car each time and trust them. They know my car inside and out. That goes a long way in preventing major issues down the road, if they can be avoided. Ultimately, I did not love some of the other competitor cars I was looking at like the Grand Highlander (did you know they don’t even have a button that turns down the 3rd row when grocery shopping and needing quick access to load and unload) and I am not in the market to spend over $900 a month on car payments either. I am happy with my decision to stick with another Palisade.
At first, I didn’t love the new look (the headlights are a bit different), but wait until you see the interior and the new features (especially on the Caligraphy), and you’ll be sold like me. I can get what I want to get, it feels and looks like a luxury car, I personally enjoy the way it drives over my Hondas (which look basic and have basic features even at the highest trim level) and ultimately, after a few years if I want to trade in again and get equity out of my car, than so be it.
Just wanted to share my thoughts and feelings on why I AM sticking with a Palisade and, in particular, how the dealer did me right and did not give me a hard time. That’s a good dealer in my opinion, and another reason I am very comfortable sticking with them. They kind of feel like family at this point. I will continue to update more as we go- hopefully I have a new Palisade by next week, and again, I sincerely appreciate each and every one of your comments, supportive and not. Have a good night, guys!”
This wasn’t a discount demo or a scratched-up floor model. This was a top-trim Calligraphy, Hyundai’s leather-swaddled, tech-laden answer to the Audi Q7, shaking like a dryer full of cinder blocks. The Palisade has a solid track record, and the Calligraphy trim in particular is supposed to be the smoothest ride south of a Genesis.
2026 Palisade Calligraphy Key Specs: 287 hp V6 GDi, AWD, Three-Row Cabin & Hybrid Option
- The Calligraphy trim comes with the 3.5‑litre V6 GDi engine, delivering up to 287 hp and 260 lb‑ft of torque, mated to an 8‑speed automatic transmission bi-directionally with optional AWD
- Based on Hyundai’s second‑generation LX3 Palisade, which debuted late 2024, the SUV features a longer wheelbase, shorter overhangs, and a sharper LED lighting design, making it larger than the outgoing model
- The cabin space includes three‑row seating, available in 7‑ or 9‑passenger layouts depending on configuration, with second‑row captain’s chairs or bench options
- Hybrid variants of the Palisade include a Smartstream 2.5 L turbo hybrid, driving output around 330 hp and higher torque, though these specs vary by region
That Beck’s vehicle had such an issue so early was jarring, not just because it happened, but because the dealer couldn’t figure out why.
Naturally, the Facebook hive mind responded with everything from technical speculation to philosophical advice. “Never buy the first round of a new model,” wrote one commenter.
“They still haven’t solved half the problems on the last models.”
How The Dealership Made Things Right
“The engine/trans and computer are technically the same as my 2021,” she replied, pointing out that her previous Palisade had run flawlessly for over 75,000 miles. This wasn’t an R&D beta test. It was supposed to be the refined, mature version of a platform she already trusted.
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Then came the most frustrating part of all: the classic “cannot replicate” result from the dealership. After being towed back, the dealer drove it again, hard, on the same highway. They added 80 miles and ran diagnostics. Nothing. No shaking. No error codes.
Just a blank slate and a whole lot of customer frustration. This is where things often go off the rails in modern ownership: when the car is misbehaving, but only when no one is looking. It turns a clear safety concern into something eerily ephemeral; one moment it’s there, the next it’s gone, like a ghost in the transmission.
2026 Palisade Calligraphy Towing Guide: Up to 5,000 lb Capacity & Dedicated Tow Mode
- When fitted with the factory tow package and trailer brakes, the Calligraphy trim can tow up to 5,000 lb
- Standard across trims, including Calligraphy: The Calligraphy (and Night Edition) shares the same towing ratings as other Palisade trims when properly configured
- All-wheel‑drive versions (such as the Calligraphy with AWD) include a dedicated Tow Mode that optimizes engine and transmission settings for improved control while towing
But here’s where the story pivots. Instead of hiding behind procedure or treating Beck like a problematic customer, Causeway Hyundai stepped up.
According to Beck, the dealership assured her that she wouldn’t be forced to take back a car she didn’t feel safe in.
They swapped her loaner Sonata (not exactly ideal for a mom needing a third row) for something more family-appropriate and began looking for a replacement Palisade with the exact specs she wanted, blue with brown interior, “those pretty rims.”
“They told me that I do not have to keep this car if it makes me worried or uncomfortable…
They are hoping that within a few days, they can find the right one for me and bring it back to NJ for me to have instead… I am very pleased with Causeway Hyundai of NJ and, in particular, their sales manager, Ken, and Karey and Joseph in the Service Dept.”
What could have been the origin story of a lifetime grudge instead became a case study in how dealerships should handle edge cases. Beck’s appreciation was clear: she acknowledged the mechanical mystery, expressed gratitude, and doubled down on her love for the Palisade.
She noted that problems like this could happen with any brand, Toyota, Honda, Acura, it doesn’t matter, and emphasized the importance of consistent service and technician familiarity.
Beck’s experience is less about failure and more about follow-through. What matters isn’t just engineering, it’s empathy. Thanks to a sharp dealership and a thoughtful owner, this story might still have a smooth ending.
Image Sources: Hyundai Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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