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 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Park N Fly Mississauga Canada. Vehicle in parked position. Vehicle reversed from position and driven for 50-75 feet. Driver made a left turn and within two seconds the vehicle started accelerating on its own. Driver's head and hands bounced off the steering for a brief moment and then returned. Engine could be heard revving continuously in an increasing manner. Nothing on the gas pedal nor was it manually depressed. The pedal felt stuck with no recoil like what is usually felt when ones foot is taken off the accelerator. Driver attempted to depress brakes to maximum capacity but the system would not override the acceleration and the motion the car was travelling. Car continued to pickup speed to about 70 km/hr. Attempted to slightly turn into a side lane. Cars were parked in facing each other position. …
Check Engine Light was lighting up on and off sporadically and fuel gage was showing E with light on and now both are not working properly. The check engine light stays on and fuel gage always shows empty even when it is full.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While attempting to shift the vehicle into drive from the park position, the vehicle would not shift. While at a completed stop, the contact was informed by another motorist that the vehicle's brake lights were not illuminating. The contact also stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic), 09V122000 (service brakes, hydraulic) or 11V472000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
The Hyundai Santa Fe was parked without the key in the ignition on a slight incline. My 7 year old grandson got in the vehicle first. He knocked the vehicle out of park. When the vehicle started rolling, I tried to get in but I couldn't with it rolling. It hit a van and my drivers door caught on the front of the van pushing my drivers door completely back. I was caught between the two vehicles. My 4 year old grandkids (twins) could have been behind the Santa Fe or another child since we were at a ball field. Now we notice the Santa Fe can be easily pulled out of park without the key in the ignition.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the brake ESC warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake solenoid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shifter failed to go into reverse or park and the ESC brake light illuminated. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH and drove slowly. The vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the electronic stability control warning indicator illuminated. The contact called napleton Hyundai (3703 north lake blvd, lake park, fl 33403, [phone]), but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started to make an abnormal noise. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and turned off and restarted the engine. The vehicle failed to accelerate forward and would only move backwards. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and caused the vehicle to lose power. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Hyundai Santa fea. The contact stated that while parked, a child shifted the gear shifter from park to drive and the vehicle crashed into a wall. The contact expressed concern because she believed the vehicles gear shifter should not have moved without the brake pedal being depressed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Exiting from a parking lot onto 7th st in phoenix az, vehicle suddenly accelerated and, despite brake application, entered the roadway, hitting a Mercury grand marquis in the side. Nobody was injured and airbags did not inflate. Once stopped, it was impossible to move the gear shift from neutral into park to release the key. Vehicle towed and, as frame was damaged as well as front end and radiator, insurance are writing the vehicle off.
'intermittently' hesitates to almost stall on moving forward from stop, and 'bucks' while moving steadily at constant speeds below 40mph. Average gas mileage has deteriorated from 19 - 20 to 15 - 16. Car has always run on mobile one and regularly serviced. Car has stalled while in motion on open road!
Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, 5% of the model year's 684 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 7 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 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 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.