Hyundai Santa Fe transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
606 of the 3,688 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Santa Fe 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2017 (205), 2022 (75), 2023 (62). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Santa Fe transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2026 | 3 | 6% | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2025 | 40 | 18% | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 51 | 28% | — | 4 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2023 in depth | 62 | 22% | — | 28 TSBs | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 75 | 29% | — | 47 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 57 | 31% | 21k | 44 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2020 | 26 | 12% | — | 13 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 35 | 16% | — | 22 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 28 | 7% | — | 40 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 205 | 16% | 8k | 49 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 24 | 8% | — | 34 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 34 · 2017: 39 · 2018: 20 · 2019: 19 · 2020: 15 · 2021: 16 · 2022: 56 · 2023: 85 · 2024: 102 · 2025: 78 · 2026: 142
Across the model years, half of the 158 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 2,000 and 33,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I was pulling onto I75 at 6:00am when my car started shuttering, making a clicking/ knocking noise and slowing way down. Thankfully I was able to make it onto the shoulder before causing an accident. I was unable to accelerate enough to go anywhere so I called a tow truck. My car is burning oil at an extremely fast rate.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle struggled while accelerating before there was an abnormal bang coming from the engine compartment. The contact was able to coast to the side of the roadway and received Roadside Assistance; however, the vehicle failed to restart.
The car was shaking alot but the engine light was off. Started it the next dat and the check engine light came on. Went to auto zone to see what the codes were. The 1st and 3rd cylinder are misfiring. The car was just serviced for the 60,000 mile tune up in june 2026. This problem started August 14, 2026.
The vehicle has suffered a catastrophic structural manufacturing defect involving a transmission case half seal failure. The transmission is actively seeping/leaking fluid directly from the factory-mated case assembly line seal. This presents a severe, progressive safety hazard.
Two issues with powertrain/transmission: 1- The powertrain/transmission fails intermittently- vehicle RPM goes sky high but vehicle receives no power, seems to fail/lose power. Has happened in very dangerous road conditions where unexpectedly was struggling to get the motor to engage/get power to the vehicle.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 24V529000 HighJul 11, 2024 · 12,349 vehicles
- 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.
- 22V746000 HighOct 6, 2022 · 56,148 vehicles
- 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.
5 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 27, 2026
- Certain Santa Fe Hybrid (MX5A HEV) vehicles may experience a condition where a DTC triggered in the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU) cannot be cleared, even after the cause has been corrected. This bulletin provides instructions to perform an HPCU software update to correct this condition.
- Jun 5, 2026
- This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT). The software update revises the touch point learning variation, improving drivability and judder symptoms. Some 8WDCTs (indicated by a new part number) received an updated clutch spring. The correct TCU software update must
- May 19, 2026
- Some Santa Fe (MX5A) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may exhibit a low idle or excessive vibration while in Drive or Reverse, or DTC P050600 (Idle Air Control System – RPM Lower than Expected) caused by the one-way clutch sprags being misaligned. This bulletin provides instructions to remove the automatic transmission and replace the torque converter.
- Mar 3, 2026
- Some Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require replacement of the 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT) when the vehicle sets one of the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTCs listed below. This bulletin provides instructions to replace the 8WDCT.
- Feb 21, 2026
- Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic transmission may have DTC U028700 (Lost Communication With Trans Fluid Pump Module) set by the transmission Electric Oil Pump (EOP). This DTC can cause the Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system to become inoperative. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the Electric Oil Pump on affected vehicles.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Santa Fe
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Santa Fe problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Santa Fe years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2017, 205; 2022, 75; 2023, 62. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (31%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 24V529000 (2024), 22V746000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 10,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 2,000 and 33,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.