On [XXX], Laguna Niguel Hyundai performed Service Campaign 9C2 (ECU software update for Theta II emissions improvement, Hyundai TSB 26-01-013H) on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Immediately after the update, the vehicle developed drivability problems that did not exist before: rough/harsh shifting, hesitation, and loss of power during cold-start operation (the first 1-3 minutes after engine start), plus intermittent infotainment and navigation system failures. Hyundai's own dealer notice dated 05/18/2026 acknowledges vehicles may exhibit 'hesitation or rough shifting' after the 9C2 update and states the matter is 'currently under review' — no permanent fix has been released. The dealership that performed the recall has since refused to service my vehicle again. I opened case #[XXX] with Hyundai corporate; my inquiries on 09/03/2026, 09/11/2026, and 09/17/2026 asking for a corrective action have gone unanswered. The hesitation and power loss are a safety hazard when merging into traffic or crossing intersections. I request the federal safety agency investigate this pattern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Hyundai Santa Fe harsh shifting problems
91 of the 7,720 owner complaints about the Hyundai Santa Fe describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 91
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,800
- typical mileage
- 58,000
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 11Hesitation 11Loss of power 10Check engine light 10Engine failure 9Steering noise 8Jerking 6Sudden acceleration 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P0111 1
What owners say
On XXX, [XXX] Hyundai performed Service Campaign 9C2 (ECU software update for Theta II emissions improvement, Hyundai TSB 26-01-013H) on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Immediately after the update, the vehicle developed drivability problems that did not exist before: rough/harsh shifting, hesitation, and loss of power during cold-start operation (the first 1-3 minutes after engine start), plus intermittent infotainment and navigation system failures. Hyundai's own dealer notice dated XXX acknowledges vehicles may exhibit 'hesitation or rough shifting' after the 9C2 update and states the matter is 'currently under review' — no permanent fix has been released. The dealership that performed the recall has since refused to service my vehicle again. I opened case #XXX with Hyundai corporate; my inquiries on XXX asking for a corrective action have gone unanswered. The hesitation and power loss are a safety hazard when merging into traffic or crossing intersections. I request the federal safety agency investigate this pattern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Cold-Start Hesitation & Rough Shifting: Following the 9C2 ECU update, my vehicle is experiencing a brief period of throttle hesitation, rough shifting, or jerky transmission behavior specifically during cold-start operations.
Symptoms are those described in Hyundai recall 236 (delayed shifting,hesitation, stalling). Vehicle has had multiple TSP services at Hyundai but symptoms persist intermittently. Software updates do not fix issue. Hyundai dealer has no other remedies.
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe was brought to dealership on 3/27/26 for an oil change and a computer update was completed for Emissions Improvement. Upon picking the vehicle up after service, it was noticeable that it was not shifting correctly. I spoke to the service department and asked if the memory was cleared with the update an if it was having to relearn how I drive and the said it should not be affected. This went on for a few days and I left the car with them to duplicate as there were3 no stored codes. After a few weeks, the Teck Line recommended a new transmission, which Hyundai offered goodwill assistance. As we were waiting for the transmission to arrive from being on backorder, a bulletin for Service Campaign 9C2 was release on 5/18/26 that described my experience with shifting issue almost exactly. The transmission was replaced and the drivability issues still persist. Hyundai says that I must let my car warm up for 1-3 minutes to allow a catalyst to reach temperature and not cause rough shifting. This rough shifting is the effect of the update and thus te reason that my transmission needed to be replaced. Further investigation showed that this update is a known issue and cannot be reversed once installed. Currently, I must start my car in 90 degree weather to warm it up as a result of this update which is not logical in any thought process. I have asked Hyundai to cover the balance of the new transmission as this is a result of thier faulty software update with no success.
A Hyundai recall 9C2 update was applied to my vehicle. Ever since that update my vehicle hard shifts on cold starts which I fear is damaging the transmission. Hyundai dealer was able to replicate this and keeps advising us that concern is ‘under review with Hyundai’. I have the service order that states this. This problem has been ongoing for Months! I think Hyundai needs to find a resolution to this as my research indicates it is impacting a lot of customers.
We were notified there was a recall and to schedule an appointment to get the update. We did and it was updated. It hesitated when we drove it the next day and everyday after. WE took it in a second time and was told by our dealer that following the completion of service campaign 9c2 certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting conditions and to let it warm up for 1-3 minutes. We were told that Hyundai is working on it. It has been over a month and it still does it. I now own a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicle with less than 38,000 miles that is a lemon in my opinion. I am paying for gas to let it run for the 3 minutes and cant sell it or trade it in without a major reduction in price. I feel Hyundai is not being responsible for the damage they have caused to my vehicle.
I have had my vehicle inspected twice for an intermittent issue with the rear driver's-side brake light. The brake light continues to go in and out even though the issue has not been identified during inspection. Multiple people have informed me that the brake light was not working, but when checked later, it was functioning again. Because the problem is intermittent, I am concerned that it has not been properly diagnosed. In addition, I have experienced ongoing transmission and drivability concerns. While stopped at traffic lights, the vehicle has occasionally accelerated unexpectedly or surged, and it can be difficult to shift into gear to proceed. I have also experienced hard shifting when moving from Park or Reverse into Drive. These symptoms continue to occur despite being told that no problems were found during inspection. I am requesting a more thorough diagnosis of both the brake light issue and the transmission/drivability concerns, as these problems are ongoing and may present a safety risk.
We have had several transmission issues with this vehicle for over a year. On March 5th we dropped the car off for an oil leak, a malfunctioning middle row seat belt, and an on going transmission clunk and roll. The dealer repaired the oil leak, replaced the seat belt, (damaged the interior of the vehicle while doing so, then denied it) and said they were unable to replicate the transmission problem. The car went back to the dealer again on March 26 for the transmission clunk and roll. They kept it for 8 weeks, and said they couldn’t replicate the issue. I have confirmation that they didn’t even start the vehicle for 4 weeks. We picked up the Vehicle on May 22, and the issue persists. Yesterday, when pulling out of a gas station, the vehicle accelerated on its own until I intervened stepping on the brake pedal. When I typed in the issue to Google, I was made aware that the vehicle now has a front seat belt safety recall from April 6, which the dealer didn’t even advise us on or offer to repair. I am finding out about this on an interstate family drive and we are of course terrified of driving our vehicle now, based on the unintended accessories and now faulty front seat seat belts. I have asked Hyundai serval times for a buy back which they have refused. Corporate has asked us to bring the car back to the dealer this week, and we are about to sign papers with a lemon law lawyer tomorrow. I wanted to at least file this complaint so that it is in writing should something happen to us in our travels this week. This has all been so unacceptable with Hyundai. We bought this car new and it is paid off.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle experienced hard shifting while attempting to change gears, and the vehicle hesitated, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired; however, DTC: P1C2D03 was retrieved. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where the same diagnostic trouble code was confirmed. The dealer diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 99,700.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle roll away increases the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to use the emergency parking brake after parking their vehicles. Hyundai will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update for the transmission control unit. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the dual clutch transmission, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 26, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 263.
Recall number 24V529000 · Recall details
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
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
- Risk
- A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's recall number is 112.
Recall number 13V355000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 santa fe 2wd vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and 2.4l engines manufactured from october 15, 2009 through march 5, 2010. The intermediate shaft may suffer from noise and excessive wear due to a misalignment of the intermediate shaft with the right side output gear. Continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition leads to the development of a whirring/whining noise and can eventually cause damage to the automatic transmission.
- Risk
- Damage to the transmission may cause loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the right side output gear and intermediate shaft free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact hyundai's customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 11V261000 · Recall details
Questions about the Hyundai Santa Fe harsh shifting
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (21 complaints), 2017 (17 complaints) and 2013 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix harsh or hard shifting on the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,800 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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