2003 Hyundai Santa FE Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 11%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,448miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 11% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,448 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since buying my car used in 2006, my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe slips out of gear and violently jerks. On the highway it scares one half to death. And I see that there are many other complaints of this problem along with the vehicle stopping altogether. This problem happens so intermittently without an engine check light, that I knew a dealership would not be able to find a problem. Now the vehicle won't shift out of first gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10275597, filed 2009-07, 46,000 miles“I bought a used 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe about two years ago. The vehicle jerks when changing gears, actually lurches forward. I looked online to see if anyone else had this problem and there was a huge list. I think there needs to be a recall done for the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10215560, filed 2008-01, 85,000 miles“Recently, my 2003 Santa Fe has had a grinding/whinning/rubbing noise when I take off at low speeds. Sounds like might be transmission, wheel bearing or pulley, but not sure. Took vehicle to dealship and his analysis was that the noise was coming from the idler pulley. Ordered new pulley and will replace when it comes in. This noise would come and go at speeds between 5 - 25 MPH and would last for several seconds up to a minute.”
NHTSA complaint #10111977, filed 2005-02, 33,000 miles“My 2003 santafe has an idle problem. It feels like it might stall when I'm sitting at a red light. This happens intermittenly and their is no code in the computer so they say they can't replace any parts. The car has bucked about 5 or 6 times over the last 2 months while I'm driving down the interstate at about 70mph. It's been to the dealer 3 times and they can not find the problem. I'm ready to get rid of the car because of frustration.”
NHTSA complaint #10128836, filed 2005-07, 57,000 miles“3 times this happened on said day. Driving on freeway. With cruise control on car lurched forward jerking all three of us. A couple days later sitting at an intersection waiting for the light to change green. The car lurched forward again. Tossing me back causing my foot to come off the brake! Luckily I was able to get my foot back on the brake before I moved too many feet into the crosswalk. I spoke to beaverton Hyundai and they said they were unaware of this... I mentioned it was out on the internet and on the Hyundai forum. I was told it was not their forum therefore they don't look at it.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10568654, filed 2014-03, 126,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10128154Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128153Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128119Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128118Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10032908Oct 1, 2009Hyundai: ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0741, p0742, p0743, p0746, p0748, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. Incorrect operation of the transaxle solenoids may…
- 10030984Jul 1, 2009Hyundai: automatic transaxle range switch diagnostic trouble codes p0705 (range switch signal problems), p0707 (range switch open circuit), and p0708 (range switch short circuit…
- 10020912Dec 1, 2006Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) list.
- 10019638Mar 1, 2006Oil leak at reduction brake piston cover.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 8% |
| 2025 | 22 | 16% |
| 2024 | 45 | 29% |
| 2023 | 45 | 21% |
| 2022 | 57 | 28% |
| 2021 | 51 | 30% |
| 2020 | 26 | 12% |
| 2019 | 37 | 18% |
| 2018 | 10 | 9% |
| 2017 | 166 | 17% |
| 2016 | 21 | 9% |
| 2015 | 22 | 9% |
| 2014 | 36 | 7% |
| 2013 | 52 | 9% |
| 2012 | 24 | 7% |
| 2011 | 21 | 12% |
| 2010 | 109 | 42% |
| 2009 | 24 | 7% |
| 2008 | 24 | 4% |
| 2007 | 31 | 5% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 21 | 7% |
| 2003 | 35 | 11% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 23 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE
56 complaintsBrakes
43 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsWheels
13 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology