Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 8% | 5,000 miles |
| 2025 | 22 | 16% | — |
| 2024 | 45 | 29% | 15,000 miles |
| 2023 | 45 | 21% | 10,000 miles |
| 2022 | 57 | 28% | 61,000 miles |
| 2021 | 51 | 31% | 19,000 miles |
| 2020 | 26 | 12% | 31,000 miles |
| 2019 | 37 | 18% | 16,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 9% | 6,000 miles |
| 2017 | 166 | 17% | 6,000 miles |
| 2016 | 21 | 9% | 50,000 miles |
| 2015 | 22 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 2014 | 36 | 7% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 52 | 9% | 59,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 7% | 23,000 miles |
| 2011 | 21 | 12% | 24,000 miles |
| 2010 | 109 | 42% | 11,000 miles |
| 2009 | 24 | 7% | 95,000 miles |
| 2008 | 24 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2007 | 31 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% | 84,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% | 119,000 miles |
| 2004 | 21 | 7% | 37,000 miles |
| 2003 | 35 | 11% | 57,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 23 | 11% | 58,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The failure occurred mostly while making a left turn and while accelerating from a stop and continued for 10-seconds before self-correcting. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was almost a crash during the failure. The failure was not self-corrected after one failure. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the failure was then self-corrected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failures, and there was no DTC found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 5,100.
After turning off the radio with the push button control the instrument cluster and navigation display panel went completely dead black. After pushing multiple buttons several times the panel came back to life. This has not yet been reported to the dealer. On 12/12/2025 this same vehicle also experienced faulty engine / power train components which required replacement @1199 miles. Throttle body assembly and torque converter assembly which caused loss of power when accelerating onto a high speed parkway attempting to reach @55mph along with excessive vibration when brakes were off. Took dealer 22 days to fix the problem.
I have had issues with my dual-clutch transmission slipping gears in multiple ways while driving; most commonly while in drive and going downhill the tachometer will aggressively rev when just idling and without pressing the accelerator. Also, when trying to reverse out of a parking space on an incline or decline multiple times I have rolled forward as if in neutral and receiving no power to back the vehicle in reverse. Previously owned a 2023 sonata with similar transmission issues and blew a cylinder on the highway within a year of ownership(engine knocked out while driving about 65 and just lost power and had to pull over on side of highway. Went to dealership yesterday for regular maintenance and told them about transmission issues. They checked vehicle for any tcu updates and there were none. Test drove it and said it was driving normal. I know it's not driving normally/safely. …
Vehicle experienced sudden loss of power while driving. Transmission warning and ABS warning lights appeared at the same time. The vehicle would not shift properly and began skipping and dropping gears. Smoke was visibly coming from the center underside of the vehicle near the transmission area. There was a strong burning oil or rubber smell inside and outside the vehicle. This created a serious safety risk due to loss of acceleration and potential fire hazard from smoke and burning odor. The issue has been intermittent since early ownership, including jerky shifting and hard engagement. The dealer documented dual clutch transmission communication faults and ABS faults but returned the vehicle the same day stating it was a loose ground. The problem has continued after repair. Vehicle is available for inspection. The defect involves the powertrain and related electrical systems.
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned on and shifted into park, the vehicle unexpectedly rolled away with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then collided with a tree. The contact also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the crash. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was provided. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where full body repairs were completed. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred, and during the second incident the contact's spouse attempted to stop the vehicle and was almost run over. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was provided. …
On December4th 2024 my car rolled forward into a barrier post. I stopped to get air in my tires and the Parking Allert went off as I got near the barrier post. I then parked my car. I left my car running and driver door partially opened. I dropped the valve cap between the spokes of the last tire being filled. So, I got into the car and backed up about three feet to get the cap. Parked the car got out and it rolled forward into the barrier post. I was completely out of the car but just by my driver door. I tried to get back in but it was too quick. Subsequently, I drove to work to let my supervisor know i would need time to go to the dealership. I was concerned air bags would deploy since that didnt happen. Also because the car didnt stop on its own felt the integrity of systems were questionable. So, I repeated the steps at work like the incident. Except, I stayed in the car. …
I was driving the car moving in reverse to exit my driveway. I placed the car in Park and while the engine was running I exited the car. Upon exiting the car, the car immediately started to roll forward and crashed through my garage door leveling it to the ground. The car continued moving forward into the garage and came to a stop blocked by built in shelving at the back end of the garage. I could have been injured had the car started to roll while I was exiting the car or had some been in front of the car. No warning lamps or messages prior to the incident. The car has a safety feature if moving in Drive or Reverse and the driver door is opened the car shifts into Park. That feature failed. The car was inspected by a Hyundai dealer and claim no error codes found and dismissed any other information as provided in this report
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 50-65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and decelerated to a complete stop with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where several fault codes were reset. The contact continued to experience the failure and returned to the dealer where the dealer replaced the throttle assembly and later replaced a front camera with a hard code. However, the contact stated the failure persisted. The vehicle was with the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number and a case manager to assist with the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,700.
Related recalls (4)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Santa Fe vehicles. A software error in the transmission control unit may result in a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in PARK.
Remedy: Owners are advised to use the emergency parking brake after parking their vehicles. Hyundai will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update for the transmission control unit.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 santa fe 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4l engines manufactured from October 15, 2009 through March 5, 2010. The intermediate shaft May suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during June 2011. Owners May contact Hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission Intermediate Driveshaft
On April 25, 2011, Kia Motors Corporation submitted a defect notification letter to NHTSA regarding a transmission intermediate driveshaft condition in approximately 12,690 model year (MY) 2011 Kia Sorento 2-wheel drive vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4L engines (NHTSA Recall No.
Front Axle Shaft Failure
In a letter dated August 9, 2013, Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center, Inc. (Hyundai-Kia) submitted two Defect Information Reports (DIR) to NHTSA identifying a safety defect related to fracture of the right front axle shaft in MY 2013 front wheel drive Hyundai Santa Fe Sport vehicles built from July 13, 2012 through March 12, 2013 and MY 2014 front wheel drive Kia Sorento vehicles built from January 7 through March…
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (166), 2010 (109), 2022 (57), 2013 (52) and 2021 (51) model years. Transmission complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 24V-529 (software, Jul 11, 2024); 22V-746 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2022); 13V-355 (axle shaft, Aug 12, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles; 59% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (101 mentions), followed by the clutch assembly (8).
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.