Why did my Hyundai Palisade AC stop blowing cold?

Short answer: On 2020-2022 Palisades, owners traced warm AC to the compressor clutch, a blown fuse, the evaporator temperature sensor, or the expansion valve. Check fuses first, then get a proper AC diagnosis before replacing parts.

Symptom: The AC blows warm, the compressor never clicks on, or it works after sitting overnight and quits after a restart.

What to check first

1. Check the AC compressor fuse and relay.
2. Listen for the compressor clutch clicking on.
3. Look for oily spots on AC lines and the compressor that suggest a leak.
4. Ask the shop to check the evaporator temperature sensor reading.
5. Check whether you're still within Hyundai's new-vehicle warranty.

Likely causes

1. AC compressor or compressor clutch failure. The compressor pumps refrigerant, and its clutch engages it. Owners said the clutch or compressor going bad is a common Palisade problem.
2. Blown fuse or relay for the compressor. A fuse that keeps blowing can stop the compressor from engaging. Check the fuse box before buying parts.
3. Evaporator temperature sensor. This sensor tells the system how cold the evaporator (the cooling core behind the dash) is. A bad reading can shut the AC off.
4. Expansion valve or blockage. The expansion valve meters refrigerant into the evaporator. A stuck valve or blockage can cause on-and-off cooling.

What it usually costs

One owner spent over $500 on a diagnosis that didn't fix it, and a second dealer quoted $1,700 for the evaporator temperature sensor. A fuse costs a few dollars.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Yes, it's a comfort problem, but hot cabins can be dangerous for kids, pets and older passengers. Use the defroster setting for fog.

DIY or shop?

Fuses and basic checks are DIY. Refrigerant work and dash sensors are usually shop jobs.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 8 recall(s) for the Hyundai Palisade in these years, and none is for this problem. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 12 keyword-matched complaints for Hyundai Palisade 2020–2022 (of 1309 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-04; keywords: air condition, a/c, \bac\b, compressor, blowing (hot, warm), evaporator). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL V6 3.8L AC compressor on Reddit r/MechanicAdvice, a 2020 Palisade SEL 3.8 owner said the AC compressor and clutch going bad seems common. Their symptoms were no AC and a compressor that didn't click on. They troubleshot it themselves and found a 10-amp fuse in the fuse box kept blowing when the new clutch was connected, and posted their steps for others.
• In 2020 Hyundai Palisade 3.8 Ac not working on Reddit r/MechanicAdvice, a 2020 Palisade 3.8 owner's AC only worked after sitting overnight. They had already replaced the condenser with no leaks found. Replies said with no leaks and a full charge, look for an intermittent part like the expansion valve or a blockage, check power at the compressor, and get it properly diagnosed instead of guessing.
• In A/C Troubleshooting - 2020 Palisade on Reddit r/MechanicAdvice, a 2020 Palisade owner spent over $500 on a first diagnosis without a fix. A second dealer found the evaporator temperature sensor reading 106°F in about 70°F weather and quoted $1,700. Another owner replaced the expansion valve with no improvement.

Quick tip

Start with the fuse and compressor clutch, then pay for one solid diagnosis rather than throwing parts at it.

Vehicle focus: Hyundai Palisade 3.8L V6, 2020-2022.

Safety / mechanic note

Refrigerant can cause frostbite and eye injury. Verify with a mechanic.