My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy has experienced transmission problems since it was new and currently has approximately 20,000 miles. I brought it to the dealership approximately three to four times for these concerns, but I was told they could not find a problem or any diagnostic codes. Recently, while driving on the highway, the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate even with the accelerator pedal pressed all the way down. I had to pull over to the side of the highway. Without turning off the engine, I shifted into Park and then back into Drive. The vehicle began moving again, but the transmission continued slipping. On [XXX] I brought the vehicle to Key Hyundai of Manchester for scheduled maintenance and again reported the recurring transmission problems. The dealership requested a diagnostic fee of more than $200, which I declined because I had repeatedly reported this problem since the vehicle was new. They completed the scheduled maintenance without performing the requested transmission diagnosis. After leaving the dealership that same day, the vehicle repeatedly malfunctioned while I was driving, and the check engine light came on. I returned to the dealership. A scan showed three fault codes related to the transmission, clutch, and a sensor. I asked to leave the vehicle and receive a loaner because I feared another loss of power on the highway could cause a rear-end collision. I was told the person who could authorize a loaner had left for an appointment, could not be contacted, and that I should return Monday. On [XXX], I called and spoke with Anthony, whom I was told was in charge. He told me I needed to bring the vehicle in and would have to join a waiting list for a loaner. On [XXX], I brought the vehicle back, and it is currently at the dealership being evaluated. My primary concern is safety: recurring transmission slipping and a loss of acceleration that left me unable to maintain speed on the highway. IINFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe: sudden loss of power
11 of the 216 complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
Subject: Formal Dispute: Warranty Breach and Failure to Repair – 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Timeline & Facts:11/2/25 (~52,000 miles): I officially reported an intermittent loss of power and severe engine revving (up to 7,000 RPM). This created a severe safety hazard when merging and accelerating from an idle stop.3/28/26 (Under 60k miles): After months of diagnostic delays, Hyundai confirmed the Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) needed replacement under the 60,000-mile warranty. A Hyundai Case Manager tracked the issue.Service Delay: Hyundai delayed repairs due to a lack of loaner vehicles, which were grounded for recall updates. Commuting pushed my mileage to 60,218. The Case Manager assured me coverage was locked in because the defect was documented before 60,000 miles.4/8/26: Due to corporate protocol, they ordered a valve body installation instead of a new transmission.8/11/26: The valve body failed. Hyundai delaership resubmitted the transmission replacement request. Corporate denied 100% coverage because the odometer was now over 60,000 miles (60,218). They are offering only 80%, leaving me with a $1,000 plus out-of-pocket expense.Legal & Contractual Position:Hyundai is contractually and legally obligated to cover 100% of this replacement. Under federal and state consumer protection laws, any defect reported prior to warranty expiration must be fully repaired by the manufacturer, even if the final repair occurs after the mileage threshold. The current mileage is a direct result of Hyundai’s internal diagnostic and loaner delays.Demanded Resolution:I demand that Hyundai cover 100% of the transmission replacement costs immediately. I am hoping this escalation to the federal safety agency will help in bringing this matter to a positive end result, otherwise I have no choice but to pursue formal legal remedies.
I was driving, and the SUV all of a sudden lost power. I was trying to press harder on the gas pedal to keep up with the traffic, but the SUV was stalling. The SUV would not move, and as I kept trying to press on the gas pedal, a roaring noise like something was trying to turn but the engine kept trying to move the car. It felt like something in the car was trying to move but something kept slipping. I had to turn the car off in the middle of the street and restart it before it would move. Cars were blowing their horns. This is a safety issue and a dangerous Problem. The SUV just did the same thing a few days ago. I am calling the dealer to see what is wrong. I brought this car new 2023. It is under 12,000 miles
Vehicle stalled while driving — unsafe loss of power. While driving at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning and the electrical system malfunctioned. I had to pull over and restart car. This created a dangerous situation and could have caused a collision. Prior to this incidenct, the vehicle had intermittent electrical issues during startup (flickering electronics). This is the first time the car has experienced during driving, and is now at the Hyundai dealership. The car has been reported as unsafe to drive. This appears similar to other Hyundai stalling/power loss issues and may indicate a developing safety defect. Requesting investigation.
While driving on the interstate at 70mph the vehicle’s fuel injectors failed causing the vehicle to lose power suddenly.
Component/System Failure: The electronic throttle control system malfunctioned. The vehicle is reporting powertrain diagnostic trouble codes P2118 and P2101 through the Hyundai manufacturer mobile application (Bluelink), indicating an electronic throttle actuator / throttle control motor issue. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This malfunction poses a safety risk because it can cause sudden loss of throttle response, reduced engine power (limp mode), or stalling while driving. Loss of throttle control increases the risk of a crash, especially in traffic or at intersections. Reproduction / Confirmation: The issue is ongoing. The check engine light remains illuminated and the fault codes continue to be displayed in the Hyundai mobile application. The problem has not yet been diagnosed by a dealership due to lack of immediate service availability. Inspections Performed: The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a Hyundai dealership or the manufacturer due to delayed service appointments. No inspections have been performed by police or insurance representatives. Warning Indicators / Symptoms: The check engine light illuminated and remains on. Diagnostic trouble codes P2118 and P2101 are displayed in the Hyundai mobile application. The warning light first appeared in late January 2026. Current Vehicle Condition: The vehicle is considered unsafe to drive due to the active electronic throttle control fault and risk of sudden loss of power.
On two occasions, once at 70mph and once at 45mph vehicle suddenly lost power and displayed warning to check collision system, there were no vehicles close enough to warrant this. I had to limp the car to the side of the road as safely as possible and shut car off, wait a few minutes and restart vehicle to clear error and allow proper power/ acceleration again.
At 22000 miles wheel speed sensor went out, all control system shut down and car became unstable. At 44000 miles fuel injector went out, was driving on freeway and car started shaking and losing power, then in parking lot would not start at all, had to be towed to dealer. This is way to many breakdowns for a car with such low mileage.
Transmission caused vehicle to loose speed on grade posted speed 70mph I could not get over 35 Transmission stuck in 3 gear or would stay in 8th gear unable to gain speed almost got rear-ended vehicle has a 8 speed automatic transmission it will not shift properly loss of power account improper gear for speed
My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have a recall to fix the trailer hitch, since that I notice some issues with the shifting with a loss of power while driving, my car is 15k miles and showed a check-engine light. I made an appointment for the dealership the next morning. After two days, I was told that the car needs a new transmission. After 3 days still waiting for the car to be fix.
My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy with 14k miles showed a check-engine light. I had noticed some strange behavior in the shifting with a loss of power while driving at low gears. I made an appointment for the dealership the next morning. Was told today that the car needs a new transmission.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Higher-than-expected engine oil consumption
- Difficulty starting in cold weather
- DTCs P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance) set in the Electronic Control Unit...
- This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission...
- Warning lamp illumination for a diagnostic trouble code P2181 that is related to the Integrated Thermal...
- Been produced with a damaged oil level sensor during assembly
- This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
11 of 216 owner complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe (5%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe?
There are 0 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
Sunroof shattered 20Check engine light 15Adaptive cruise 12Stalling 11Collision warning 9Engine failure 9Won't shift 9ABS 8Transmission failure 7Jerking 6Shudder 6Brake failure 5Fire or smoke 5Hesitation 5Slipping 5
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