2007 Hyundai Santa FE Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 5%of 684 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2007 Hyundai Santa FE, 5% of the 684 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 4 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.
“2007 Santa Fe limited 6 cyl 3.3l. Oil is leaking from valve cover gasket killing the alternator and battery and the motor. Lights flash on dash seat belt light, battery light, ESC , TPMS. Replaced battery in the dark at first. I saw the same issues with a new battery. Then researched and saw similar issues pointing to valve cover gasket leaking oil onto alternator. I checked the valve cover in the light and saw the leak immediately and the alternator covered in oil. …”
NHTSA complaint #10638837, filed 2014-09, 94,000 miles“The Hyundai Santa Fe was parked without the key in the ignition on a slight incline. My 7 year old grandson got in the vehicle first. He knocked the vehicle out of park. When the vehicle started rolling, I tried to get in but I couldn't with it rolling. It hit a van and my drivers door caught on the front of the van pushing my drivers door completely back. I was caught between the two vehicles. My 4 year old grandkids (twins) could have been behind the Santa Fe or another child since we were at a ball field. …”
NHTSA complaint #10511388, filed 2013-05, 67,694 miles“I had just gotten on the interstate and the car started and continued accelerating on its own. I had the wipers going; cruise was not turned on or set, there was nothing obstructing brake or accelerator petals. I turned the lights to auto then down to running lights then to the on position. Just at that moment when I put the lights in the on position is when it took over the accelerator. I tried stepping on the break and it did nothing as the vehicle continued to accelerate. I made it to the off ramp to get off the interstate immediately. I tried turning cruise on then off and down shifting. …”
NHTSA complaint #11084245, filed 2018-04, 99,450 miles“While traveling on the interstate at approximately 70 MPH, I attempted to deactivate the cruise control by tapping on the brake pedal. The cruise control did not turn off even with holding the brake down harder. I was able to shut off the cruise control using the off switch on the steering wheel. Upon exiting the interstate and reaching my destination, I could not get the shifter to go into park. After shutting the car off and on several times, I got it to go into park. It has only done this one time and never happened since then. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509276, filed 2013-04, 69,000 miles“As I was driving the clutch pedal suddenly dropped to the floor from underneath my foot. Then the car started to accelerate, even though my foot was on the brake and over the clutch. I was luckily able to get it back under control without hitting anyone, and get it pulled over, but it wasn't easy. Having a friend and 2 babies in the car with me, it was fairly terrifying. We got it pulled over and stopped, and finally got the clutch moving up to put the car in neutral and turn it on and off again, but we never did get it back into gear so we had a tow truck come clear it from the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10595357, filed 2014-06, 68,308 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253274Apr 9, 2024Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankâs valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator…
- 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:
- 10170899Jan 2, 2020This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10163279Jun 4, 2019This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10160098Apr 15, 2019This bulletin provides the procedure to write the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during the replacement of the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module…
- 10138240Apr 6, 2018If you are servicing a vehicle with a harsh and/or delayed shift, use the GDS as shown in the Service Procedure to measure shift engagement time.
- 10082455Aug 9, 2016"the pcm or tcm contains logic to adjust solenoid duty and line pressure as needed to compensate for normal clutch wear over the life of the transaxle. This bulletin provides the…
- 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…
- 10031906Sep 1, 2009Hyundai: rear hub bearing replacement 4wd. The procedure to replace the rear hub bearings on certain santa fe vehicles. The procedure includes installation instructions for dust…
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 2007 Hyundai Santa FE
157 complaintsAir bags
102 complaintsElectrical system
97 complaintsBrakes
87 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
79 complaintsElectronic stability control
68 complaintsVehicle speed control
58 complaintsEngine
54 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsExterior lighting
43 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsSuspension
30 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2007 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