5.5

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
37,100 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. software update available at dealer (1 reports)
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems

transmission problem

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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #4

Nov 202019

Santa Fe Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,500 miles

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

I just want some info if anyone has it. I bought it new 2 years ago. 139,000 miles but 90% are interstate driving to and from work. Other than miles, a wonderful car. My 4th Santa Fe.

Here's my issue. When I start the car and begin to accelerate, there is a jump and a sound like a slippage from low gear to the next higher gear. Once I have gotten up speed, no problems. Now this only happens once every few days or so. I have learned that when it does that knock, I just stop and turn the car off and restart and no problems. Knock and slippage is gone. Then it might reappear in two days. I stop, turn the car off and restart, and it's gone.

No other issues, but I really don't trust the dealer service departments. Any ideas?

- Randle F., Williamsburg, US

problem #3

Feb 052018

Santa Fe Ultra V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,500 miles

2017 Santa Fe (Ultra, AWD) when downshifting from 6th to 5th has a hard shift. It doesn't do it all the time, but at times it feels like it is going from 6th to 4th gear. I've had the car back several times, and the last time they put the computer on it while we went out and drove. We did duplicate the problem several times while the computer was attached. This info was sent to the Hyundai tech group who couldn't find anything wrong. Now they want the dealership to test drive another car like mine to see if that car will duplicate the problem.

I live in FL and my dealership never gets AWD vehicles in. Mine was found in Ohio and brought down for me. The dealership now says there isn't anything we can do since we don't have an AWD vehicle. He sent my information to the district service manger, with no reply back. Not sure what my next steps are going to be.

- Ralph Y., Port Charlotte, US

problem #2

Sep 072016

Santa Fe Ultimate V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,075 miles

Purchase New Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate V6 Aug 17, 2016. Within the first 500 miles the vehicle began to lurch when downshifting at about 40 MPH. I began to write down mileage and condition of weather to see if I could find a pattern. It was random. Switched transmission between ECO, Sport and normal ( it does it randomly in any setting)

I called the Hyundai dealer where I purchased the vehicle and service tech reported that they hadn't had any other complaints. When I took it in for the 1st oil change, I reported it again and they said they couldn't find any problems. They did however, "reset the computer to adjust to my style of driving"?. I am a 54 year old female, have been driving a 2004 Nissan Murano for the past 10 yrs (bought used). I loved my Murano with its CVT tranny. I knew I would have to adjust to a traditional transmission again but the jolt/jerk that happens is unbelievable! This is my FIRST NEW CAR PURCHASE EVER! I wish I would have went with the 2016 Honda Pilot.(my 1st choice). It seems every time I call the dealership, they just tell me to bring it in again. We are going in circles. No one has time to have a car in the shop continuously.

I have read other complaints about the hesitation on acceleration when between 1 & 2nd gear (and have experienced that a little) but my biggest complaint is the downshifting ( and its always at about 40 MPH) lurch that occurs. I have had several passengers in my car ask me (did you feel that?) when it happened.

I will continue to monitor when it happens, and pray that Hyundai will address the issue. Making me wish I would have leased.

- Chris B., Sylvania, US

problem #1

Mar 262016

Santa Fe Limited Ultimate 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles

The transmission shift pattern on this car at low speeds SUCKS! When slowing down and NOT coming to a complete stop the transmission lugs and struggles to select a gear in Normal and ECO modes. Does not seem quite as bad in Sport mode.

Update from Aug 31, 2016: The transmission shifting on this car was AWFUL when we first got it, particularly from a rolling stop or at slow speeds. I learned a few weeks ago from another CarComplaints.com user that Hyundai released a TSB and software update for the car. Took it to the dealer and had software loaded, shifting now seems perfectly normal.

- logie231, GRESHAM, OR, US

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