2021 Hyundai Santa Fe reported problems

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“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 NHTSA 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.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“My check engine light came on, and my car was also feeling "sluggish" and slow to accelerate. I scheduled a service appointment at my local dealer 4 days later. At the appointment, the technician stated everything checked out okay and the check engine light was likely an "anomaly" or "outlier" but otherwise nothing to be concerned about since everything checked out "okay" and no problems were identified during their test drive. However, that very afternoon, I was driving down the interstate, where the posted speed limit is 70mph, when my check engine light came on again and suddenly lost power, drastically reducing my speed and could not accelerate faster than 39mph. Luckily, the interstate was not busy at the time (about 10:30-11:00 a.m. Saturday morning) and there were only less than 4 cars behind me that were able to easily switch lanes and pass me. I moved over to the shoulder to a complete stop and restarted my car. My check engine light remained illuminated and was still slow to accelerate and "sluggish" but was able to (slowly) reach interstate speed (60-70mph) until I reached an acceptable exit and safely made it to my destination. I have since used roadside assistance to tow the vehicle from my home to the the same dealership for inspection and service (again).”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“First instance at 50-55 mph the transmission violently shook the car when downshifting to accelerate on multiple occasions. Dealership diagnosed the problem as a faulty transmission and replaced it at 44064 miles on March 18, 2025. Second time the car failed to accelerate when merging into traffic while the engine revved very high. Again it was taken to the dealership and the diagnosis was faulty transmission. A second transmission was in stalled at 51331 miles. Second transmission began downshifting hard upon accelerating at highway speeds. Retuned to dealership and diagnoses was faulty fuel injectors and all four were replaced on April 7 at 52960 miles. On April 10, 2026 the car displayed a check engine light after the car began shuttering at highway speeds and was immediately returned to dealership where it’s pending a diagnoses. Failure to safely accelerate when merging make this vehicle a safety risk.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“-shift lever in transmutation stopped working so car would go into auto shut off and then would not drive once I took my foot off the break. Would not switch gears or drive. Had to shut car off then turn back on to get it to switch gears. -safety was put at risk majorly. Car did that in 5 lanes of traffic with me and kids in car and couldn’t drive. We almost got hit. -dealership said no issues found until I took it in a second time for the same issue then they said it was the translation shift leaver. -Briggs Kia inspected it -no warnings at all -This happened MULTIPLE times. Put the most current date”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“I was about to turn into a 2 lane road and a warning came on my dash, "shifter system malfunction service immediately " my vehicle was in Drive I was unable to move my vehicle, unable to shift into any other gear. It was sudden with no warning or loss of power prior to the warning and loss of movement.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Vehicle has now had several incidences of completing losing all acceleration power while driving at both high and low speeds, resulting in need to turn on hazards and abruptly pull to side of road. Pushing on gas pedal does nothing and vehicle will even roll backwards if I pull over on a hill and take my foot off the brake. I have to put vehicle in park and turn off. Sometimes I have to restart the vehicle a few times before it will drive forward after putting it back into drive. The vehicle does not lose electrical power and will sometimes display the master warning light on dashboard and other times have no dashboard indicator of a problem. This is an extremely dangerous situation and my VIN is not listed under safety recall 22V-746 despite exhibiting the same behavior. I have contacted my local Hyundai dealership service in past and they recommended a transmission flush which did nothing to alleviate the issue. It is now happening frequently so we are reaching out to the local Hyundai dealer service center again.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Code P1C2D03 is popping up on my 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe after the dealership "fixed" the recall in 2023. My car is going into limp mode, failing while driving, and unsafe. Dealership and corporate won't help me. The transmission was never replaced with the recall and they are claiming they aren't relatable and can't do anything unless a recall is reopened.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Loss of Motive Power The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“This TSB applies only if Recall 236 or Service Campaign T8N has been performed and the 8 speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT) replacement is necessary related due to high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTC’s P1C2D03 (HP EOP Motor Position Sensor), P193B79 - HP EOP Performance, P0868 - Transmission Fluid Pressure (TFP) Sensor – Low. Replace the 8WDCT under this bulletin.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“This TSB applies only if Recall 236 or Service Campaign T8N has been performed and the 8 speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT) replacement is necessary related due to high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTC’s P1C2D03 (HP EOP Motor Position Sensor), P193B79 - HP EOP Performance, P0868 - Transmission Fluid Pressure (TFP) Sensor – Low. Replace the 8WDCT under this bulletin.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is within original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is within original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within this TSB to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is within original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within this TSB to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is within original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-BE-001H-1 to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is with original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Some vehicles may have an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the horn replacement under this condition to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. If a horn needs to be replaced, follow the instructions within this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-BE-001H-1 to install the latest design. Please note that any vehicles under 10 years/120,000 miles are covered by this TSB, even if vehicle is with original warranty of 5 years/60,000 miles.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Certain 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe, 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the horn assemblies under these conditions has been extended to 10 years/ 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Certain 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe, 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2022 – 2023 model year Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid vehicles may experience an inoperable horn that may be caused by foreign substances causing internal parts to oxidize. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the horn assemblies under these conditions has been extended to 10 years/ 120,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.”