Hyundai Santa FE Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 933 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Hyundai Santa FE across 26 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (166).
- 933power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 29mention a crash
- 19mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $3,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Hyundai Santa FE at $3,300, and half of them between $2,100 and $4,600.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 480 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 933 complaints, 29 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 19 an injury.
Hyundai Santa FE power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa FE | 3 | 8% | 5,100 |
| 2025 Santa FE | 22 | 16% | — |
| 2024 Santa FE | 45 | 29% | 15,000 |
| 2023 Santa FE | 45 | 21% | 9,500 |
| 2022 Santa FE | 57 | 28% | 35,000 |
| 2021 Santa FE | 51 | 31% | 17,050 |
| 2020 Santa FE | 26 | 12% | 27,823 |
| 2019 Santa FE | 36 | 18% | 13,739 |
| 2018 Santa FE | 10 | 9% | 3,008 |
| 2017 Santa FE | 166 | 17% | 5,350 |
| 2016 Santa FE | 21 | 9% | 50,109 |
| 2015 Santa FE | 22 | 9% | 106,000 |
| 2014 Santa FE | 36 | 7% | 40,000 |
| 2013 Santa FE | 52 | 9% | 48,427 |
| 2012 Santa FE | 24 | 7% | 21,825 |
| 2011 Santa FE | 21 | 12% | 22,701 |
| 2010 Santa FE | 109 | 42% | 10,500 |
| 2009 Santa FE | 24 | 7% | 84,000 |
| 2008 Santa FE | 24 | 4% | 65,000 |
| 2007 Santa FE | 31 | 5% | 80,000 |
| 2006 Santa FE | 5 | 5% | 83,801 |
| 2005 Santa FE | 11 | 5% | 107,592 |
| 2004 Santa FE | 21 | 7% | 37,000 |
| 2003 Santa FE | 35 | 11% | 52,448 |
| 2002 Santa FE | 13 | 8% | 76,650 |
| 2001 Santa FE | 23 | 11% | 58,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Model years: 2024
Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the dual clutch transmission, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 263.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: 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.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 236.
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Model years: 2013
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Hyundai's recall number is 112.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2010
Problem: 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. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition leads to the development of a whirring/whining noise and can eventually cause damage to the automatic transmission.
Risk: Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On [XXX], Laguna Niguel Hyundai performed Service Campaign 9C2 (ECU software update for Theta II emissions improvement, Hyundai TSB 26-01-013H) on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Immediately after the update, the vehicle developed drivability problems that did not exist before: rough/harsh…
the ongoing safety defect affecting my leased 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. This summarizes the facts as discussed, the danger this defect presents, and the urgent need for resolution. Summary of the Defect Since leasing the vehicle, it has intermittently and without warning decelerated to a complete stop…
On September 20, 2026, my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy suffered sluggish acceleration while operating on a public roadway due to an internal dual-clutch transmission (DCT) failure. The Malfunction indicator light illuminated, and a diagnostic scan revealed stored history code P1C2D03…
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, after the light turned to green, the vehicle stalled and became inoperable. The contact waited for several seconds and depressed the accelerator pedal before the vehicle returned to normal operation. The…
Ref: Case Number with HYUNDAI USA #43287419. On 11th September 2026, my car (2024 Hyundai SANTA FE AWD, Limited trim - just covered 24,000 miles) suddenly shown an error/problem on the cluster as 'SHIFTER SYSTEM MALFUNCTION), while driving on road, which caused panic, that the car was behaving…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Hyundai Santa FEs have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 933 owner complaints about power train for the Hyundai Santa FE. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Hyundai Santa FE power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Hyundai Santa FE?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,300 (half paid between $2,100 and $4,600), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Hyundai Santa FE problems
- Engine problems (2,428)
- Electrical System problems (851)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (756)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (588)
- Air Bags problems (506)
- Service Brakes problems (439)
- Suspension problems (436)
- Steering problems (408)
See all Hyundai Santa FE problems.