2003 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission problems

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Body, Engine · 62,450 miles · IL

We purchased this vehicle used in june of 2014 with 62,450 miles on it. The exterior and interior were in great shape. The vehicle was taken to a hyundai dealer in july for an inspection of the rear suspension per a recall. At that time a complete inspection was done, with only a small oil leak found on one axle shaft. Two months later the vehicle was take back to the dealer for a recall for a broken spring. At this time a second inspection was completed. This time several issues were found from corrosion including leaking transmission lines, leaking engine oil pan, leaking boots at the front drive axles requiring them both needing to be replaced. The service manager at the hyundai dealer stated he had never seen a vehicle with this level of corrosion. All components under the vehicle have extensive corrosion with apparently a rapid rate of deterioration. The vehicle is used only on-road being driven by our son to and from college. The dealer has no explanation as to what could be the cause of the rapid deterioration. All under body components appear to be vulnerable to this high level of deterioration. The dealer is willing to repair the vehicle but the dealer stated there is no way to tell what or when other components could possibly fail, such as the brake lines etc. Hyundai was contacted regarding the concern but stated there was no action they would take at this time. They did reluctantly agree to call the dealership to inquire with them about the extent of the corrosion.

Filed May 7, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 197,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that when ignition key was removed, the engine would not shut off. The gear was in park but the vehicle continued to slowly move forward. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who stated that the ignition pin controller needed to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 197,000. Updated 7/7/14*cn updated 07/14/2014

Filed Mar 11, 2014 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · OR

3 times this happened on said day. Driving on freeway. With cruise control on car lurched forward jerking all three of us. A couple days later sitting at an intersection waiting for the light to change green. The car lurched forward again. Tossing me back causing my foot to come off the brake! Luckily I was able to get my foot back on the brake before I moved too many feet into the crosswalk. I spoke to beaverton hyundai and they said they were unaware of this... I mentioned it was out on the internet and on the hyundai forum. I was told it was not their forum therefore they don't look at it... I have owned the car for 10 years. This has happened several times through the years I have driven this car but it is getting worse and scarier!!

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 201,000 miles · KY

The passenger from sub frame broke dropping the lower control arm bending the wheel out. This was at big o tires checking alignment. I see there was a class action law suit on this matter covering 2001-2003 santafe's. The front sub frame must be replaced.

Filed Oct 17, 2011 · Transmission · 107,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the gear shifter would not move into gear, causing the vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated there were no recalls and any repairs would be at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2011 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · CA

Car jerks violently when at highway speed even though it has new shocks, struts, and front drive axles. The transmission also seems to engage suddenly when moving forward from complete stop. Regular maint. And transmission inspection performed.

Filed May 5, 2011 · Transmission · 64,400 miles · CA

I purchased a used 2003 hyundai santa fe in december 2008. The vehicle operated well for six months. Suddenly, while driving on the freeway one day, the car began to jerk. The problem went away for two months, then returned more violently with the vehicle turning off while at stops and driving in traffic, even at 35 to 40 MPH. I noticed the RPM's drop suddenly when the car jerks. However, the check engine light doesn't come on, and neither do any other indicators that something is wrong with the vehicle. I have paid to get the crankshaft sensor and coils repaired on the car, but the problem still persists. After almost three years of having the vehicle, which I am still paying off to the finance company, the car still jerks while driving even at 30 MPH within in a 2 mile radius of my home. I have to drive the vehicle slowly, without accelerating and sudden stops to keep the jerking to a minimum. I have called hyundai USA about the problem, but they cannot do anything because I no longer have the warranty, since I am the second owner. The hyundai dealership cannot pinpoint the problem and neither can other mechanic shops. I am practically paying for a car that doesn't work! I have seen that there are several other owners who have this problem, and have heard that there was a recall in canada about the same issue on the car jerking, but not in the united states. I seriously believe there needs to be a recall for this same problem here in the u.s. Before a serious accident occurs, such as with toyota vehicles.

Filed Jan 8, 2011 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · TX

From time to time, my 2003 hyundai santa fe with an automatic transmission jerks violently while under normal operating conditions. Sometimes this occurs while traveling at a steady speed (around 40 MPH) and sometimes it happens just after I resume acceleration after lifting off of the accelerator (coasting). I really have to 'baby' the accelerator all of the time or this would happen much more often. There is a definite problem here, which could potentially cause harm to myself and others on the road. Unfortunately, I know that nothing will ever be done to correct or address this problem.

Filed Nov 13, 2010 · Transmission · 37,000 miles · FL

I have a 2003 hyundai sante fe and I have had continual transmission problems since I bought it in 2004. My first encounter started around 37,000 miles,the vehicle began to slip/hesitate while driving on the road. The dealer couldn't find the problem three separate times. I tolerated the nuisance for about a yr until one day I was driving and the transmission 'got stuck'! I had to drive home in first gear for 15 miles! The dealer couldn't re-enact it, but definitely charged me $1800 to flush the transmission, amongst various other 'part replacements'. The problem seemed to 'disappear' for about 4 mths and it started again! Transmission would jerk, skip and miss no matter what speed I was going, but then disappear.. It was moody and intermittent, not constant and dangerous. The dealer still couldn't find the problem! Then one day I placed the vehicle into reverse and it jerked back hard!! My head was close to hitting the steering wheel. At first I thought the vehicle was struck by another vehicle, but soon realized that it was the transmission because it began to squeal and whine! The serpentine belt and the crankshaft pulley were replaced and the problem seemed to be corrected. Just two months later, I was stranded on the highway, again, without any forewarning! I was driving my son to school and all of a sudden, the tranny didn't want to go into gear, again, and it jerked a few seconds after it slipped. I had to creep my way home by driving about 500-750 ft and then the tranny slipped and violently jerked, put vehicle in reverse a few times and then tried again. Ever since I began to have these problems when I first bought the car I have been searching online and following the large amount of similar and worse complaints regarding the same problems. I am surprised that this problem has not been addressed and further looked into. Please, research this.. Please investigate this type of problem, please.

Filed Feb 12, 2010 · Transmission · 28,546 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked and he attempted to accelerate, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle lunged forward; the duplicate failure occurred when he shifts to reverse gear. The failure occurred intermittently after the vehicle was parked and then restarted. The dealer stated that the diagnostic test did not indicate any error codes. He called the manufacturer three times and was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealer and if there were no codes, he would have to pay the repair expense. The current mileage was approximately 32,100. The failure mileage was 28,546.