2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Transmission · ME

Our vehicle does this all the time and has done so for almost two years. After starting the vehicle and then shifting to a gear, either drive or reverse. The vehicle does not always go into gear. When you take your foot off the brake to push on the accelerator, the vehicle will start to roll in the opposite direction if you are on a very small incline in the opposite direction. If you are on flat ground, the car will not move for a few seconds. If the incline is in the direction of your selected gear, you start rolling in that direction with no power from the transmission. In one to three seconds you get power to the transmission. This happens at any time of the day, from the very first start up, to anytime during the day when in use. If you stop to get gas and when you restart the vehicle it can happen. We have almost hit other cars and people several times from rolling backwards when we have drive selected because the transmission does not properly engage. Everytime it happens I say to the car, why are you doing this? The only reason we haven't hit anyone or another car is because I hit the brakes again very quickly once we start rolling backwards after we do not start going forward. Not sure if it is associated or not, but driving through the parking lot a few times in drive. We have lost all power to the transmission. You are driving along and without any visual indications or sounds, you just start slowing down. If you press on the gas more, it does nothing to increase the speed of the vehicle. It has only happened once to us on a road going 45 mph. The power came back after a few seconds.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · MN

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe VIN [XXX], June 2024 build, 62k miles. Vehicle experienced total loss of power and drive, matching the federal safety agency recall 24V‑529 / 263 for DCT failure. Dealer is refusing to perform recall, refusing to provide diagnostic codes via email, and demanding title and all service records before any work. Dealer claims new engine needed but won’t provide proof. This is a safety defect and dealer is violating recall law." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 24, 2026 · Transmission · NH

The vehicle has experienced repeated transmission-related failures beginning at approximately 5,000 miles. The dashboard warning “Transmission System Error – Check Transmission Oil Immediately” first appeared while driving and was accompanied by sudden loss of power. When this occurs, the vehicle loses acceleration and drivability while in motion, creating a safety risk in traffic. The only way to temporarily clear the warning is to pull over, shut the vehicle off, and restart it. Photographs of the warning message were documented at approximately 6,738 miles on [XXX] and again at approximately 12,664 miles on [XXX]. The vehicle was returned to the selling dealer in Massachusetts multiple times for the same issue. During the first visit, the dealer drove the vehicle approximately 19 miles but stated they could not duplicate the problem. During the second visit on or about 3/25/2025, the dealer kept the vehicle for approximately six days while providing a loaner vehicle, but again stated they could not duplicate the condition. The vehicle was later inspected by another Hyundai dealer in New Hampshire on 8/19/2025 for the same dashboard warning and loss of power condition while driving. That dealer found the transmission fluid level below specification but stated they could not duplicate the warning message during inspection. Following that visit, the transmission warning did not reappear until [XXX], when the same “Transmission System Error – Check Transmission Oil Immediately” warning returned again while driving. On [XXX], the situation escalated into a possible rollaway event. While at an auto detailing facility, the vehicle was reportedly placed in Park with the engine running after being repositioned. The operator stated the vehicle indicated it was in Park. Moments later, after the operator exited the vehicle, the vehicle moved from its parked position and rolled into a building. The event was documented in writing by the detailing facility. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Transmission · TX

On November 18, 2025, at 24,370 miles, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic powertrain failure, triggering a dashboard warning: "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." The vehicle suffered a loss of reliable motive power. This sudden failure is a severe safety hazard that presents a high risk of stalling or stranding in active traffic, which is especially dangerous as this vehicle is used for a 40-mile round-trip school commute four days a week on local highways. The dealership replaced the transmission, keeping the vehicle out of service for 27 days. However, the exact same critical failure occurred a second time on December 24, 2025, at 24,878 miles. The vehicle was once again completely incapacitated and required a second transmission replacement as well as a new TCU, resulting in an additional 50 days out of service. Two catastrophic transmission failures within a 500-mile span on a brand new vehicle demonstrate a highly dangerous defect that puts the driver, passengers, and other motorists at unreasonable risk of a crash due to sudden loss of power.

Filed Nov 8, 2025 · Body, Electrical · NY

I was riding on a suburban street and ran over a branch I did not see due to rain and darkness. I went back and looked at the incident and the branch did not seem like it was that big but I quickly lost power and my car stalled and I could not get it restarted. I later found out that that branch took out my hybrid battery connection under the car which rendered the car useless. It is a 5000 fix. I don't know why such an important part is exposed under the undercarriage of an AWD SUV. I was traveling at 27 MPH. If I had been on a highway it would have been very dangerous to have stalled out so fast. Once it was stalled the battery drained very fast from me running my hazards so that the tow truck driver had to jump it to get it to go from neutral to park and my parking brake is electric so I couldn't activate the parking brake either. I would also like to say that the headlights on this car are severely underpowered.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · DE

My vehicle was in for repairs at both a collision shop and a dealership following a minor accident. When I got the vehicle back, I found that the seat controls were not working, preventing me from moving the seat backward or forward. During a test drive, the car lost power despite the gas pedal being fully pressed; it wouldn't accelerate and then suddenly jerked forward. This could have caused an accident if I had been on a busy highway. Further testing revealed an abnormal noise at 1500 RPM in multiple gears. The vehicle has been towed back to the dealership, but there's no word yet on when it will be fixed. Hyundai has been contacted multiple times, as the car has been awaiting parts and undergoing repairs for over four months. They don't seem to be taking these safety issues seriously nor helpful in resolving the issue.

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Fuel system · TX

Our 2024 Santa Fe while traveling 70mph on the freeway suddenly lost power and went into what Hyundai warranty described as "limp mode'. This happened 2x. The 1st time was June 26, 2024 and the 2nd time was June 29th 2024. Both times the high pressure fuel pump was diagnosed by 2 different Hyundai dealership service facilities.Both times were highly potentially serious risk situations- traveling at highway speeds in traffic when suddenly losing engine power, and having to navigate off freeway/highway with no acceleration, basically rolling/drifting off.