The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5-30 MPH, the transmission failed to shift properly, and the vehicle lost motive power. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: complete transmission failure
7 of the 170 complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 1
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
My transmission failed, even after the #236 recall in 2022. My car was recalled for Recall #236 in 2022. My car was updated and "fixed" and now in 2025 is showing the p1c2d03 code and requiring a new transmission. The same recall, without the fix.The car is in great health and never had issues until I was going 60 miles per hour on a busy highway and it reduced to 26 miles per hour during busy traffic. Causing me to almost get rear-ended multiple times and people swerving off the highway to miss me. My car was not going, even with the gas pedal down. I had no warnings, it happened out of nowhere.
The transmission in my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe has failed multiple times. The first failure occurred within the first two years of owning the vehicle. The car began jerking, hesitating, and struggling to accelerate, and the check engine light came on. The dealership confirmed a transmission issue and replaced the transmission under warranty. After that replacement, the same symptoms returned, and the transmission had to be replaced a second time, again under warranty. The most recent transmission replacement was only a few weeks ago, and the same symptoms are already returning — the vehicle hesitates, jerks, and occasionally loses power when trying to accelerate. These problems create serious safety concerns, especially when merging onto highways or crossing intersections. The hesitation and loss of power make it unpredictable and unsafe to drive. I have two young children who ride in car seats, and I no longer feel confident that this vehicle is safe for my family. Hyundai service employees have acknowledged that this is a known, recurring issue with this model’s transmission design. However, no permanent fix or recall has been issued, and I have been told to continue replacing the transmission under warranty until the coverage runs out. This approach does not address the underlying safety defect. The issue has been confirmed by Hyundai dealerships multiple times. The check engine light has come on before each failure. I am reporting this because repeated transmission failures that cause hesitation and power loss are a clear safety risk, and Hyundai has not provided a lasting solution.
On October 10, 2022, while driving home from the hospital, my car unexpectedly entered limited driving mode (max 15 mph) for 10-15 seconds in the middle of the road and then died totally. Later, I discovered that it was due to a recall that was initiated on October 6th, Manufacturer Recall Number 236 & the federal safety agency Recall Number 22V746000, for which Hyundai did not give me a notice letter until December 8th, 2022. My automobile has been parked at the dealership since October 10, 2022, with no indication of when the transmission will be available to repair it. The Hyundai dealership diagnosed my car with the P1C2D03 diagnostic code and ordered a new transmission to replace it on or around 10/13/2022, but they haven't received it from Hyundai yet. I've followed up with both the dealership and the Hyundai incident case manager numerous times, but nothing has changed.
Vehicle warning alarm activated, car went into limp mode for about 20 seconds, and then lost all drive. Warning message for Transmission Control Unit problem. Several previous temporary failures with no stored codes over past two or three months, one previously reported to the federal safety agency. Drive would not engage even after multiple restart attempts. The short amount of time and reduced speed could cause a serious accident. Very fortunate that I knew what I was happening and reacted quickly to get vehicle to side of highway. Dealer service has confirmed problem. Awaiting new transmission.
While on a high speed highway in New Jersey the transmission suddenly lost power and the car was unable to move. It had to finally be towed to the Hyundai dealer on 7/26/2022 where it remains awaiting a new transmission. Neither dealer or Hyundai Corporate has any information as to when new transmission will arrive and be installed.
Got stuck at a traffic light when the idle stop and go never came back. Diagnosed as a transmission problem and the dealer’s going to replace the transmission.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some...
- Some Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require replacement of the...
- DTC U028700 (Lost Communication With Trans Fluid Pump Module) set by the transmission Electric Oil Pump...
- One of the DTCs listed below, related to the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP). Follow the...
- This bulletin provides the procedure for updating the automatic transmission TCU and ECU software (Santa...
- This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation.
- If you are servicing an 8-speed front-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with automatic transaxle with one or...
- The Shift-By-Wire (SBW) buttons have been made available as separate service parts for the SBW lever
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 22V746000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
7 of 170 owner complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe (4%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
There is 1 recall and 30 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
Check engine light 20Stalling 14Loss of power 13Hesitation 10Adaptive cruise 6Sunroof shattered 6Backup camera 5
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