My 2023 Hyundai Palisade Doesn't Let Me Get Inside. Some Dealers Want To Change The Door Handle. Other Owners Are Also Experiencing Issuea With The Keyless Entry

As someone who owns a Hyundai, I am quite well-versed in the problems these cars give as they get older. Especially when it comes to owning and maintaining a used sports car. Apparently, newer models aren't completely exempt from this. Not long ago, I reported on a weird “quirk” found on a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, and it was a really annoying one, seemingly allowed due to a design oversight.

I decided to scout out the Palisade forum as it is a model I am interested in (normally, I am not an SUV person). While there, I stumbled upon a post about another annoying issue that plagued the Korean brand's largest SUV. The thread itself was started two years ago, but is still relevant as shown by the latest comments, some of which were posted less than a day ago from the writing of this article.  

Initially, I thought it is an issue that only now becomes apparent as these Hyundai SUVs are beginning to age, but this particular feature was not present on the Palisade until 2023 (at least, not in its current form). The issue relates to the keyless entry system on a 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy, but apparently, there could be a few different ways to go about fixing it, most of which do not require you to go to a Hyundai dealership, but so far, nothing that is 100 percent guaranteed to fix the issue. Here's what the owner says:  

“Hey, just wanted to ask if anyone else has had this issue happen lately? On my 23 Cal.... over the weekend I noticed that I now cannot unlock the driver's door by just placing my hand behind the handle. To get in that door now I have to use the key fob to unlock the doors. I checked the passenger side and it's working correctly. 
 
Anyone know of a way to reset or is this a trip to the dealer to possible replace?” 

As another forum member remarked, the 2023 update no longer features buttons on the door handle for the keyless entry. Instead, there is now a sensor on the inner side of the door handle, which detects whenever your hand makes contact with it and unlocks it. On this particular Palisade, the driver-side keyless entry has ceased to function.  

My personal experience with such electrical gremlins is that most of them can be fixed by performing a software calibration, with a specialized diagnostics tool. But here are a few testimonies from other forum members, who had experienced similar problems. 

Hqh5011 says: “Check to see if any dirt or anything stuck behind the handle that would block the sensor. If the passenger side works as normally, but not the driver side, then maybe some faulty sensor on the handle. 
 
Maybe the handle was wet as well? I noticed sometimes when it's raining hard, it's harder for me to touch the small square area to lock the vehicle.”  

While highly uncommon, it is possible for the keyless entry sensors to malfunction due to moisture intrusion. Usually, the culprit is a degraded plug seal. I am yet to see anything similar documented as a common issue on the Hyundai Palisade.

Another forum thread reveals the most common Hyundai Palisade complaints, but those are mostly trivial things like lack of rear bench seat for the higher trims (they get captain's chairs instead), no power-folding mirrors, and no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (on pre 2024 models), to name a few. 

According to this 2023 Palisade owner, moisture or dirt cannot be the cause of the issue since the car is garaged. Could the culprit then be cold weather, given the forum discussion was started in January, and other Palisade owners have also reported experiencing this in the coldest season?  

Dratnov says: “Hey, I've just noticed exactly the same issue in the end of December just when it was freezing, and I consulted with the official service. They told this is supposed to be fixed by changing the door handle. This new door handle has already come to the dealer (yeah, it was too long), and I'm waiting for an appointment for the replacement...” 

ChuckM says: “Good info. Mine just started to act up this week.” 

An interesting, but plausible theory comes from another forum member.  

Medallione123 says: “Kia/Hyundai are one of the last to have walk-away auto lock feature for their doors (Mazda, Buick, and Honda. for example, have had these for some time now) I suspect this is coming as Kia already has walk-away auto close for their liftgate in the telluride (which, incidentally the new Honda Pilot now offers in their top trim). The lack of these features has spawned a booming third-party industry to fill the void.” 

A less likely assumption comes from GR8VEDIGG3R, who says: “But the palisade doesn’t have power folding mirrors. According to the link you posted, if your vehicle doesn’t have power folding mirrors, the auto-unlock doesn’t work. Have you found this to be untrue? This would be a great purchase, in my opinion". But why have the feature in that case? 

A new solution to the problem? 

Can $134 part fix the issue? Apparently, it depends on what features your Hyundai Palisade has. One forum member recommends a proximity smart door lock module, but the product description suggests that only vehicles with power-folding mirrors can make use of all the features. This, however, is valid for "some models”. If you own a Hyundai Palisade it means you may be out of luck. The group member doesn't clarify whether he tested the part or not. 

A valid question comes from GR8VEDIGG3R, who says: “But the palisade doesn’t have power folding mirrors. According to the link you posted, if your vehicle doesn’t have power folding mirrors, the auto-unlock doesn’t work. Have you found this to be untrue? This would be a great purchase, in my opinion". But why have the feature in that case? 

Final thoughts 

Hyundai and Kia seem to be late to the keyless entry game, at least when it comes to utilizing sensors instead of physical buttons. 2024 is the first model year in which the Hyundai Palisade features keyless entry with sensors, and it is too early to tell whether it will become a common issue (it would appear so).

If the handle, itself, is faulty, it should go under warranty. I doubt Hyundai will have the audacity to charge you for the door handle ($118) and possibly the inner handle ($69), along with the outside door handle pocket film ($46), plus labor. But only those having gone through the process can tell at this point. Despite this, the Hyundai Palisade is still one of the best non-hybrid V-6-powered SUVs you can buy new.

If you have a similar experience, feel free to hit the comment section below. 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Images are sourced from the official manufacturer press release for the 2024 Hyundai Palisade