2011 Hyundai Santa FE Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 12%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,700miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Hyundai Santa FE, 12% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,700 miles. 1 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.
“After light turned green, I pushed on the pedal and the car did not move for seconds. Car hesitates all the time. Afraid to make left turn from a stopped position because I am not sure if the vehicle will move. Vehicle also hesitates when accelerating to pass slow moving vehicles. Reported issue to dealer and dealer would not acknowledge problem. Read and heard of other Santa Fe acceleration issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10467962, filed 2012-07, 100 miles“I backed out of a parking spot and made contact with something which I could not see from my rear view or side view mirrors. Later, when the emergency workers were loading me into the ambulance, I would see that the object was a low, cement pole, which protected a fire hydrant directly behind the parking spot I pulled out of. As I put the vehicle in gear (drive) with my foot on the brake, to pull away from whatever I backed in to, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated on its own. …”
NHTSA complaint #10501225, filed 2013-03, 24,242 miles“While traveling approx 55 MPH, I hit a fairly significant pothole. The check engine light immediately came on and, at the very same instant, the gas pedal ceased to function. The engine remained running, however the gas pedal had no affect - e.g. Pressing the gas pedal did nothing. I immediately pulled onto the shoulder and brought the vehicle to a complete stop. The engine continued to idle and, after letting up on the brake, the vehicle moved forward on its own at approx 20 MPH, more than expected under normal idle conditions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10490074, filed 2012-12, 21,401 miles“While accelerating from a traffic light, vehicle dropped speed while I accelerated. It coasted along at 1-2 miles an hour. The check engine, antilock brake and 4 wheel drive 'skid' indicators all lit up on the dash board. I had to guide the vehicle to a safe stop by the side of the road after clearing a dangerous intersection. This has occurred four additional times after the dealership assured me this problem had been rectified. It is presently at the dealership after having been towed in for the fifth (5th) time. This car needs to be replaced by the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10556954, filed 2013-12, 44,012 miles“This complaint is similar to a complaint I already filed in december 2012 and is a recurring issue. On 3/18/13, was traveling approx 55 MPH up a steep hill when the check engine light came on and immediately the gas pedal ceased functioning as well. The engine remained running, however pressing the gas pedal did nothing. This created an extremely dangerous situation as the traffic behind me was not aware my vehicle was slowing down and I had no ability to safely pull over to the side of the road. I brought the car to a stop, turned off the engine, waited a minute, and restarted it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10504079, filed 2013-03, 24,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10190049Mar 30, 2021The Powertrain warranty coverage for certain engine repairs and/or replacement where the engine damage, defect, or failure is related to connecting rod bearing wear, has been…
- 10176194May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10174799Apr 9, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10172227Feb 20, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 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).
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
- 10165455Aug 12, 2019If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid…
- 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…
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 2011 Hyundai Santa FE
64 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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