2009 Hyundai Santa FE Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 7%of 359 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Hyundai Santa FE, 7% of the 359 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 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.
“Finally got Hyundai to replace my rusted subframe engine cradle (took almost 8 months to get parts) and after they had the car for 2 days, I went and picked it up. Everything seamed okay, but apon starting the vehicle and shifting out of park into drive, there is a loud clunk when letting off the brake to start moving. Also when backing out of my drive, going from park to reverse the same sound happens. The sound also emits when going from drive to reverse and vise versa.”
NHTSA complaint #11210634, filed 2019-05, 117,000 miles“Takata recall my 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, at approximately 110 miles, developed a problem, which actually results in a serious/safety problem. The problem is with the fuel system fuel gauge displaying the correct amount of fuel available in the tank. I don't know if the problem is with the fuel pumps, or the fuel sensing units in the gas tanks, or with the wiring between the gas tank and the gas gauge, or with the gas gauge itself. It doesn't matter if the vehicle is stationary or moving nor if the vehicle is slanted at an angle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11118792, filed 2018-08, 110,000 miles“I was driving on the highway and went to accelerate around another vehicle. The gas peddle was stuck full open even after letting off the gas. I made sure it was not the carpet holding the peddle down. The engine RPM's was revving very high also as the car kept accelerating out of control. After approximately 15-20 seconds the peddle released and everything was fine. The first occurrence was sep. 2012 and I've had a second occurrence on march 2013.”
NHTSA complaint #10501120, filed 2013-03, 22,000 miles“My 2009 Santa Fe has been accelerating during stopping (around 20-30 miles) I brought it in to dealer and they took it for a test drive acknowledging that it did in fact surge while trying to stop. They did an update and gave it back to me telling me if it does it again bring it back. It not only continues to do this but whatever they did made the transmission switch hard. I'm taking it back today. In my opinion this is a safety issue and something should be done about it.”
NHTSA complaint #10584364, filed 2014-04, 40,000 miles“My vehicle was in the stationary position or was supposed to be in park. I had pulled into my driveway, put my car into park and turned the engine off. Upon exiting my vehicle with groceries in hand my vehicle started rolling (thank god I was able to get out of the way) vehicle rolled out of my driveway, across the street and into my neighbor's driveway where it came to a stop. (thank god no one was injured during this) I started my vehicle to get it out of my neighbor's driveway and noticed that even though the shifter was in park,my dash showed that my car was in reverse! …”
NHTSA complaint #11151248, filed 2018-11, 99,000 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 2009 Hyundai Santa FE
127 complaintsEngine
60 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsBrakes
50 complaintsElectrical system
50 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsSuspension
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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