8.1

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,798 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Hyundai Santa Fe drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #45

May 012024

Santa Fe

  • 41,122 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating after a cold start. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The contact's husband restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 41,122.

- Groesbeck, TX, USA

problem #44

Jun 062024

Santa Fe

  • miles
I was driving on the freeway and the transmission suddenly went out, causing me to quickly lose speed. The car was on, my foot was on the gas, but I wasn't moving forward. I maneuvered to the side of the road as best I could, with a semi on my tail and almost rear-ending me. I put the car in park, then in reverse and again in drive, put my foot on the gas, and still no movement. I turned the car off, and back on, and it worked fine. I had the car towed to the dealership where they stated they could not recreate the incident, and that no codes had been alerted. At my request, they also checked to make sure the system that records codes was working and I was told it was fine. The dealership couldn't help me. I am fearful of driving this vehicle, especially on the freeway as this could happen again at any time, putting myself and others in danger.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

problem #43

Aug 232023

Santa Fe

  • miles
When I press the pedal to acelérate it has no power to move on drive or reverse and other problem power off when I drive on the road.

- Aguadilla, PR, USA

problem #42

Nov 292023

Santa Fe

  • 31,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle lost motive power. A message indicating that there was no power was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, a red Hybrid warning light with a stop safely message was displayed. The contact stated that the Hyundai App displayed the Power Train and Chassis indicated the contact needed to schedule a service. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined the vehicle had either bad fuel or the vehicle was refueled while the engine was running. Additionally, the gas cap was left open. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the rocker cover gasket and oil gasket to resolve a leak. The vehicle was at the local dealer awaiting Field Technical Engineer inspection. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number 22V746000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #41

Dec 242023

Santa Fe

  • 15,600 miles
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated received notification of Hyundai Recall Campaign Number: 236, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (DCT) TCU software update was performed. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off temporarily and almost came to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was stated that he continued driving the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment for a diagnostic test; however, the contact decided to trade the vehicle due to safety concerns. The vehicle was traded for another vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,600.

- New Bern, NC, USA

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problem #40

May 132023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Transmission goes out of gear while driving. It was taken to Hyundai for inspection 5 times. Goes out of gear when driving. Making a turn at a light, the car stopped in the intersection, I could have been hit by another car. Car was taken in for a transmission recall on 02/07/2023, ever since they reset the transmission, the car goes out of gear again. It didn-??t happen before recall and computer reset. The car has been back to the Hyundai dealer on at least 5 times and has been there for a full week now. They still have the car. The dealership said they can-??t reproduce the problem. No warning lights when taken for recall, however, transmission warning light came on the last 2 times taken to the dealership.

- Hayesville, NC, USA

problem #39

Sep 222023

Santa Fe

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) and linked the recall to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the recall or warranty. A case was filed, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #38

Aug 152023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Once again on 7/18/2023 (P1C2D03) and 8/15/2023 (P1C2E92) DTC for TCU issues VERY DANGEROUS condition, fails to accelerate from stops at signs and traffic lights, then nearly stalls in traffic lane bogging down, and cuts out decelerating when accelerator pushed to floor, risking being rear-ended by following cars. By the time car is ready to take to dealer for analysis the fault has corrected and there is no active code for diagnosis -?" been repaired twice but continuing TCU codes. SEEMS to be same issue as Recall 236, don't believe the fix is effective

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #37

Apr 132023

Santa Fe

  • miles
I have been taking my 21 Santa Fe hybrid limited into the dealership for a year and a half for the same code. Powertrain code P040B00, and to this day they can not repair this issue. I looked it up and a ton of us are having issues with this same code. It should be investigated, and customers should be warned. Hyundai needs to recall these vehicles or provide a solution. A year and a half is unacceptable

- Glenwood Springs , CO, USA

problem #36

May 272023

Santa Fe

  • miles
24 Jan 2023 I had this Santa Fe repaired at the dealership for Recall #236, oil pump transmission code DTC P1C2E92. They claimed the software update fixed the issue. On 27 May 2023 the same code was transmitted and the vehicle entered a safety mode preventing driving it. Hyundai towed the vehicle to a Dealership in Florida (Hampton Hyundai, Fort Walton Beach). They did the same corrective action - the transmission "relearned" the software. Hyundai USA claims it "could" be for a different issue. I sounds to me like their recall repair did not correct the issue. Having a vehicle shut down with 20 seconds to pull over every 4 months does not seem like an effective recall correction.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #35

Nov 012021

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When turning at low speeds especially sharp turns and accelerating, a cracking sound occurs.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #34

Dec 022022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

problem #33

Feb 272023

Santa Fe

  • miles
When driving on the highway the suv would not change gears. It felt like it was stuck in 1st gear, reving very high. Was unable to move the suv to the side of the road. Came to a stop with heavy traffic blowing there horns. Put the suv into park, switched it over to sport mode and was able to get going. This is the third time the suv has lost power. Also have noticed the transmission has been taking to long to change gears.

- Junction City, OR, USA

problem #32

Feb 192023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Gas pedal stops working while driving down the road. Happened 3 times. Will work again after awhile. Dealership can't find what's wrong with it and so hyundai and the dealership said they can't fix it.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #31

Feb 052023

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #30

Sep 022022

Santa Fe

  • 13,483 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was stalling with the transmission, check engine, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer on two occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer, where it remained awaiting parts for the repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,483.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #29

Jan 302023

Santa Fe

  • miles
On January 26th, 2023 at 9:57am the vehicle was unable to shift into reverse, drive, or neutral. The vehicle's system sent automatic messages indicating to have the transmission control system checked. We had the vehicle towed to a Hyundai dealer to be serviced. The dealership advised they performed a software update and that nothing else needed to be done. Then on January 30th, 2023 at 7:44pm the vehicle's check engine light came on and the vehicles system sent us another notification to our phone and email that there was a transmission control system issue. The vehicle shakes abruptly when accelerating after a stop. I have photos of the warning messages as well as video of the car shaking.

- Queen Creek, AZ, USA

problem #28

Jan 182023

Santa Fe

  • miles
This happened on 18th January 2023, a day after I received a transmission related recall notice (Recall 236) from Hyundai. My car did not move when I put the transmission in "Drive". I restarted the car and then drove the car a short distance when the car stopped moving again. Then, there was a few seconds of mobility in which I managed to park the car in a parking spot. By this time, the "check engine" light switched on. I had the car towed to the dealership. The tow truck driver also tried to drive the vehicle, but at this point in time, the car just did not move in "Drive". The dealership inspected the car the next day and informed me that the transmission would need to be replaced and they had placed an order for the same, but the part won't come in before February. My car is currently parked at the dealership parking lot, and we are waiting on the replacement transmission to arrive from Hyundai. The transmission on this vehicle has always been jerky from the beginning, especially at lower gears. The car shudders when the transmission is shifted from Park to Drive. I read in online forums that this was because of the design of the transmission, so did not report. But this sudden breakdown of the transmission has gotten me worried.

- Hillsborough, NJ, USA

problem #27

Oct 062022

Santa Fe

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #26

Sep 192014

Santa Fe

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH with the Adaptive Cruise Control mode activated, the contact heard three beeping sounds, and the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle made the beeping sound again while driving 50-55 MPH however, the vehicle had not lost motive power. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was safe to drive because there was no warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure reoccurred 2 weeks later while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the transmission fluid was refilled; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) for which the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

- Whitney, TX, USA

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