2004 Hyundai Santa FE Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 7%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Hyundai Santa FE, 7% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My oil changing place thought I had a power steering fluid leak, so I took it to the dealer to check. The real problem was the front right axle boot was leaking badly (covered by the power train warranty), but they found that the right and left control arm bushings had collapsed and the sensors were frozen in place. After they fixed these, the mechanic took it for a test drive, and during the test drive, the right front coil snapped. I am told that I must now replace both left and right front coils and have the car re-aligned. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593200, filed 2014-05, 88,770 miles“The night I took delivery of the vehical I had electrical problems this was to be fix by dealership, well now 8/15/2004 there are more elec. Problems the fuses are blowing and the brakes are not stopping as should be.also the trasmission when appling the gas pulls to the right, and between 40/60 MPH jecksing sensation to the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10086919, filed 2004-08, 5,000 miles“As I approached a stop light and my car began to slow, it didn't shift all the way into first gear. While stopped at the light, it remained at a high RPM while the brake was pressed. When the light changed, and the gas pedal was pressed, my car kicked down into first and immediately back in to second. A few days later while at a stop light, my car died. After a few minutes, it started back up. After bringing it to the dealer (it had died on my three times at this point) to have it serviced, I was told that they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10692230, filed 2015-03, 155,000 miles“Dear NHTSA - my Santa Fe had a malfunction at 65 MPH that causes the car to abruptly slow down and run in only third gear. This is a huge distraction to the driver and could easily cause an accident. The codes are p0121 and p0733 which have to do with a throttle/accelerator position sensor and a third gear ratio mismatch. I believe the way this works is the accelerator position sensor sends a signal to the electronic throttle system module which activates an ets motor on the throttle body which opens/closes the throttle butterfly damper based on a computed error signal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10576819, filed 2014-04, 72,000 miles“Few weeks after the purchase of my Santa Fe, the car began to shudder during acceleration. I have been to the dealership twice for this problem. The first time they could not duplicate the problem. The second time they duplicated but they could not figure out what was wrong before the three day rental car rule. So they gave it back to me sayings it still is bad. We are currently waiting for the service sheet from that time.”
NHTSA complaint #10113869, filed 2005-03, 100 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.
- 10015866Dec 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
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 2004 Hyundai Santa FE
69 complaintsAir bags
43 complaintsBrakes
43 complaintsFuel system
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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