2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1063%
• 25k–50k
  425%
• 50k–75k
  00%
• 75k–100k
  213%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

My 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe (approx. 153,000 miles) developed a new stalling and engine-dying-at-idle condition immediately following a knock sensor replacement performed by a Hyundai dealership. Prior to this repair, the vehicle ran normally with no stalling or idle issues. The vehicle was originally brought in for diagnosis related to code P1326, which is covered under Hyundai Service Campaign T6G (engine rod bearing / knock sensor campaign). The dealership replaced the knock sensor but subsequently claimed my vehicle's P1326 condition did not qualify under Campaign T6G. Immediately after the knock sensor replacement, the vehicle began stalling and completely shutting off at idle - a condition that did not exist before the dealer's service. I returned the vehicle to the dealership to address this new issue. …

Bought the Santa Fe used with 96046 miles on it. Shortly after buying it it began making a loud banging noise in the rear end when first starting out especially starting out on an upgrade. Also makes the noise when backing up in wet grass or muddy conditions. Sometimes sounds like the whole back end is going to fall off the car. Unfortunately no warranty. There are plenty of complaints regarding the transmission. Needs addressed before someone gets hurt.

The car stalls completely for seconds while doing slow speed turns, particularly during right hand turns. And when the gas paddle is pressed it regains speed. There a a lot more people who has similar problem. There is a complete thread at the website link provided below about the problem people have faced. Https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-t39009_ds785550

I backed out of a parking spot and made contact with something which I could not see from my rear view or side view mirrors. Later, when the emergency workers were loading me into the ambulance, I would see that the object was a low, cement pole, which protected a fire hydrant directly behind the parking spot I pulled out of. As I put the vehicle in gear (drive) with my foot on the brake, to pull away from whatever I backed in to, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle lurched forward (the best way to describe it is the way a pinball bounces off of a bumper on a pinball machine) and continued moving forward, even though my foot was still on the brake pedal. …

This complaint is similar to a complaint I already filed in December 2012 and is a recurring issue. On 3/18/13, was traveling approx 55 MPH up a steep hill when the check engine light came on and immediately the gas pedal ceased functioning as well. The engine remained running, however pressing the gas pedal did nothing. This created an extremely dangerous situation as the traffic behind me was not aware my vehicle was slowing down and I had no ability to safely pull over to the side of the road. I brought the car to a stop, turned off the engine, waited a minute, and restarted it. At this point the gas pedal was functioning as expected, but the check engine light remained on. Went to the dealer, however they indicated the fix for the issue (technical service bulletin, #12-fl-004) had been applied after the 12/2012 incident and they found nothing new wrong this time. …

I purchased a Hyundai, not even one month ago. December 12th 2010. VIN [redacted] Hyundai Santa Fe 2011 it is supposed to get 20-26 miles per gallon. While driving the highway from florida to nc it got 15 miles to the gallon. On the way back the same thing. In addition the transmission was not right, the car would not shift and made a horrible noise several times. We did not think we would get home. It would not shift at all. I took it to the local Hyundai service center and reported it to Hyundai. They claim there is nothing wrong and that the car just needs to be broken in. I went on line and saw many consumers had the same complaints and Hyundai ignored theirs as well. I don't know where to turn. I never heard of a car needing to be broken in. The mileage is a lie. The car is not getting what they claim it should and others have reported the same thing to Hyundai. …

Driving slowly in traffic down a hill my steering wheel, gear shift and brakes locked up. Immediately my generator light came on my dashboard. I managed to pull over and somehow get the car in park. I turned the car off and realized through my manual my generator light was on. I opened the hood and couldn't see anything. When turning the car back on the light went off and everything was fine. That Monday I took the car to my dealership where I bought it and they told me they checked everything. Put the car up to a computer, drove it around, test everything couldn't find anything. I haven't had a problem since but something had to occur for this to happen. I am please with my car otherwise. Just hope this never happens again. It couldn't be weather related because it was neither super warm or super cold it was approximately 50 degrees fahrenheit. …

While traveling approx 55 MPH, I hit a fairly significant pothole. The check engine light immediately came on and, at the very same instant, the gas pedal ceased to function. The engine remained running, however the gas pedal had no affect - e.g. Pressing the gas pedal did nothing. I immediately pulled onto the shoulder and brought the vehicle to a complete stop. The engine continued to idle and, after letting up on the brake, the vehicle moved forward on its own at approx 20 MPH, more than expected under normal idle conditions. This condition lasted for approx 5 min until I could pull into a parking lot. I shut the engine off, waited a moment, then restarted it. At this point the gas pedal was functioning as expected, but the check engine light remained on. The vehicle was repaired at the dealer who notified me of an existing technical service bulletin, #12-fl-004, from Hyundai. …

2011 Hyundai Santa Fe v6 limited traveling at a speed of approximately 15 MPH, in the process of making a left hand turn the engine experienced a stall condition. Immediately lost the ability to safely control the vehicle, complete loss of the braking system and power steering. Engine light was illuminated. Once the vehicle had coasted to a stop, shifted the vehicle from the drive position to the park position. Turned the ignition to the off position. Immediately turned the ignition to the start position and engine restarted. Engine light indicator in dash panel was no longer illuminated. Took vehicle to dealership to have them locate the root cause. Dealership was unable to determine the root cause. Filed an incident report with Hyundai USA.

When accelerating from a stop the vehicle slightly begins to move but no acceleration coming from the engine. This results in a very slow 1-2 MPH movement. This has happened on a handful of occasions and is very dangerous. Often when pulling out into a highway when acceleration is needed the vehicle just creeps into traffic. Appears that the engine is just idling without any increase in RPM when the accelerator is depressed. Eventually when pulling off to safe area and stopping with trans in neutral, the engine acts normal with proper acceleration. Shifting into drive will return to the same problem. Problem will eventually slowly dissolve after "playing" with the accelerator when stopped and then shifting into drive to begin acceleration.

Transmission complaints in other Santa Fe years