Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
There's a reall on this vehicle that I just purchased the description says: front coil spring protector installation how can this issue be resolved? This issue should been taking care of and reported to you guys but obviously it hasn't. So I need to know is it still available to be free of charge or do I have to come out of pocket to get this repaired? Or can I still go to a hyandai dealer for free repairs? I'm not sure of the notification date. So in the box below I'll put this year and date
Tl contact had a 2001 Hyundai sante. The contact was driving 35 MPH down a 60 degree incline when the 4 wheel drive shifted out of gear on its own. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guard rail and light pole. The seatbelt did not lock and the air bags did not deploy. The contact is concerned about the safety risk since the seat belts and air bags malfunctioned when the crash occurred. The failure mileage was 154,000.
Suspension /check engine light /lower ball joint: dealer replace @54,353 miles, lower arm in 2004 and 8/2006 replacement is needed I have taken my 2001 Santa Fe to dealer 8 plus times for check engine light and was told found tether on gas cap not letting cap close tight enough /moved tether and ran EVAP test and check out OK . I was told cap loose 8 plus times this problem is on going. Return to dealer for jerk transmission issues I have to push the accelerator pedal to the floor and it takes off slow and once gets power the car jerks starts as if the gears or not switching over. Dealer said do the pressure in gas cap and gas cap not closed tight enough eval test was done. …
Oil light came on .so I carry to the people that did my oil change they checked it out they did not see where it was leaking from. They refill it and then the light came on again ,so this time I carry it to the dealer on that Monday they gave me an app. For that Wednesday the 13th kept it overnite and returned back the 14th man in parts dept said it was blowing out the tail pipe. No leaks on the ground. Oil light came on again and now they said the b.b.b.said my car is to old and that the people that did my oil change did not put oil in ,which is a lie. Start to burn oil at little over 85000 mile. I carry it to the dealer and they said they fixed it but they did not.
I have the same complaint as many Santa Fe owners. Problems of acceleration at 40, along with shifting issues. On several trips to the dealer, leaving the car there for sometimes 7-15 days at a time. It has had 4 throttle position sensors, an alternator and 2 batteries. My mileage is 100,386 and the vehicle needs 3000.00 worth of transmission work. Hyundai simply states my vehicle is out of warranty and these issues do not have anything to do with my transmission. I have a signed statement from the transmission shop manager that states a tps problem absolutely will affect the transmission.
Complained of clutch not being right 10-3-01 15000 miles, no problem found, always felt wrong, clutch/pressure plate/flywheel in pieces now at 64000 nothing covered under "America's best warranty" car only 3 yrs old. Was told flywheel cost is $1114. + $975 +tax to repair at dealer but didn't trust sales pitch sevice rep was giving about flywheel not being able to be resurfaced before car was even looked at only can be replaced. Decided to have car fixed elsewhere for a cost of approx. $2000.
My car is a 2001 4-cylinder 5-speed manual transmission. The engine is too small for the car's weight. I had to have the clutch replaced after only 24,000 miles, which was not covered under the warranty (cost was over $1000). The dealer insisted that I caused the problem by "bad driving". I have driven a stick for well over 12 years, and never had to replace a clutch on any other car.
Dt: 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe has automatic/standard transmission which would downshift on its own. The consumer first noticed this problem when getting onto the highway and the vehicle wouldn't shift out of third gear. When consumer exited the highway he noticed he only had second and third gears. He shut the vehicle off and restarted it and the vehicle operated normally.
While driving at 25 MPH, the consumer heard a screeching sound that was followed by a loud bumping noise. The vehicle soon stalled and would not restart. The dealer examined the vehicle and determined that the four wheel drive transfer case needed replacement. The ball joint and the front wheel bearing was replaced.
Vehicle- Hyundai Santa Fe 2001 2.4l 58000 miles sudden clutch failure due to excessive slippage caused by hydraulic problem in the clutch slave cylinder. Internet research indicates this is a pervasive problem with Hyundai clutches in general. Manufacturer apparently is ignoring the problem. In excess of $2000 in quoted repairs.
Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe, 11% of the model year's 209 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.