2023 Hyundai Santa FE Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 21%of 214 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,500miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2023 Hyundai Santa FE, 21% of the 214 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,500 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.
“Shifter malfunction has appeared since I bought the vehicle new. Once I took it in, they said it was the software. The vehicle now skipped and hesitate in the lower gears. When in high gears ride fine. But once it stops and start driving again, lower gears won’t drive properly. Drives with hesitation and skips.”
NHTSA complaint #11740013, filed 2026-05“My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe have a recall to fix the trailer hitch, since that I notice some issues with the shifting with a loss of power while driving, my car is 15k miles and showed a check-engine light. I made an appointment for the dealership the next morning. After two days, I was told that the car needs a new transmission. After 3 days still waiting for the car to be fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11553296, filed 2023-11“Front brake failure at 3k miles. Rotors warped so badly they failed to properly stop the vehicle. Vehicle shaking immensely Transmission failure at 11k miles. While vehicle is in Drive mode the transmission is stuck in first gear and will not shift. The tachometer was redlining at 6k I had to use the paddle shifters to get the transmission to shift. I was driving the vehicle as a manual transmission when I own an automatic.”
NHTSA complaint #11661759, filed 2025-05“My 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy with 14k miles showed a check-engine light. I had noticed some strange behavior in the shifting with a loss of power while driving at low gears. I made an appointment for the dealership the next morning. Was told today that the car needs a new transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11549294, filed 2023-10“There was a recall on the 21-22 santa fe for a issue with the transmission oil pump failure. I have a 23 which is not part of the recall but this is exactly what happened to me and now the transmission has failed completely with 68,000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11667049, filed 2025-06Related service bulletins
- 11033840Jun 5, 2026This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT)…
- 11029937Mar 3, 2026Some Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require replacement of the 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT) when the vehicle sets one of the…
- 11028968Feb 21, 2026Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic transmission may have DTC U028700 (Lost Communication With Trans Fluid Pump…
- 11018891May 30, 2025Certain Santa Fe (TMA) and Sonata (DN8/DN8A) vehicles equipped with 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (8DCT) may exhibit one of the DTCs listed below, related to the high…
- 10245580Nov 10, 2023This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation.
- 10243371Sep 22, 2023This TSB applies to certain vehicles with 8-speed transmissions that may have had a machining operation out of specification that could lead to a higher mileage durability issue…
- 10243329Sep 14, 2023If you are servicing an 8-speed front-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with automatic transaxle with one or more of the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure…
- 10241891Aug 28, 2023This bulletin outlines changes to the service procedure regarding the replacement of 8-speed wet dual clutch transmissions (8WDCT) and associated transmission control unit (TCU)…
- 10241890Aug 28, 2023This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for certain vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmissions…
- 10241887Aug 28, 2023The Shift-By-Wire (SBW) buttons have been made available as separate service parts for the SBW lever. If replacement of the SBW button is required due to one or more button…
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 2023 Hyundai Santa FE
64 complaintsForward collision avoidance
37 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsEngine
35 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsLane departure
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 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