2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 50 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, 30% of all complaints filed for the year. Median mileage at failure was 17,050 miles, and a related recall (22V746000) covers transmission fail-safe drive mode issues.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 50
- 30% of 166
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 17,050 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Vehicle fails to shift out of first gear unless slowed to near a stop, then accelerates again, a problem reported to begin within the first month or two of ownership.
- Sudden loss of throttle response at highway speed, with RPM climbing but no corresponding acceleration.
- Vehicle unexpectedly shifts into or moves in reverse after being placed in drive, sometimes requiring multiple attempts to engage drive properly.
- Hesitation or delayed acceleration when pressing the gas pedal, described as a safety hazard when merging into traffic.
- Hard, jarring downshifts when stopping that push the vehicle forward and require extra braking effort.
- Vehicle fails to move at all after being started and placed in drive, with the dashboard indicator showing drive engaged despite no motion.
When 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 1, 2021, latest Jun 29, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
- NHTSA 22V746000Oct 6, 2022Transmission & Powertrain56,148 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Santa Fe model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
- NHTSA lists 50 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2021 Santa Fe, making up 30% of all 166 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Yes. Recall campaign 22V746000, reported in October 2022, covers the transmission's fail-safe limited-mobility drive mode. Dealers inspect and replace the transmission as necessary and update the transmission control unit.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2021 Santa Fe?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 17,050 miles for transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2021 Santa Fe.
- Have transmission problems caused crashes or fires in the 2021 Santa Fe?
- No. NHTSA records zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries linked to the transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2021 Santa Fe.
- How does the 2021 Santa Fe compare to other years for transmission complaints?
- The 2021 Santa Fe's transmission complaints made up 30% of its total complaints, higher than the 2020 Santa Fe's 12% share but close to the 2022 Santa Fe's 29% share.