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2002 Hyundai Santa Fe Transmission Problems

13 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

13
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2008Dec 2011
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (13)

highPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2018

Your alternator belt has broken twice and is continuously squealing, which is preventing your battery from charging properly. You're experiencing power loss when driving uphill, and your engine stalls when running. The broken belt is keeping your electrical system from working correctly.

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NHTSA #: 11073415
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Sep 2014

WHEN EVER THE UNDER ENGINE GETS WET THE CAR TURNS OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS COME ON. WHEN IT STOPS I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND IT LOCKS UP. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN THE RAIN AND THE CAR STARTED JOLTING THAT THE CAR WAS OFF THEN ON THEN OFF THEN ON AGAIN. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR IN THE TORRENTIAL RAIN GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. WHENEVER IT RAINS OR IF I GO THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, I WAS TOLD THAT NORMALLY THERE IS AN ENGINE UNDERCOVER BUT THERE IS NOT ONE ON MY CAR NOR WAS THERE EVER ONE PUT ON BY THE MANUFACTURER. HAVING NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OUT WHENEVER WATER IS SPLASHED UP ONTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSES THE BELT TO AJAR AND THAT STOPS ELECTRICAL FROM FLOWING TO THE CAR AND THEREFORE IT STALLS OUT AT VERY DANGEROUS TIMES; LIKE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER IS AVAILABLE AND THEREFORE THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR?? *TR

NHTSA #: 10638991
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Dec 2011

I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY SON TO SCHOOL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STARTED TO REV UP AND AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF IT CONTINUED TO DO SO UNTIL I GOT CLOSE TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE MORE AND I HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING IT I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND WAS PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND I WENT OVER A PARKING BUMPER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF! IT SCARED THE DAY LIGHTS OUT OF ME I COULD HAVE IF NOT KILLED SOMEONE, BUT SEVERELY HURT SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AND NOT TO MENTION POSSIBLY MY SON....I HAD MY BOSS CHECK IT AND THE CABLE THROTTLE CAME OUT HOW I DO NOT KNOW...I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I LOOKED UP TO SEE IF OTHERS WHO OWNED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY DID!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10439058
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LEFT JOINT AXLE ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. THE BOOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AXLE WAS ALSO TORN; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT SINCE THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD REPAIR IT ACCORDINGLY. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE BOOT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81000.

NHTSA #: 10292891
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2009

2002 & 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TRANSMISSION CASE DEFECT: WE LIKED THE FIRST SO MUCH, WE BOUGHT A SECOND.... NO INDICATION OF MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL. REGARDING TRANSFER CASE ATTENTION OR MAINTENANCE WHICH VIOLENTLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DANGEROUSLY, ABRUPTLY STOP - RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY SAFETY SITUATION AND PERSONAL INJURY. WE HAVE THE OLD TRANSFER CASE - WHICH LOOKS INSIDE, LIKE A TOSSED SALAD. WE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT BY WESTERN AUTO - A MATTER THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REPORTED IN GREAT DETAIL TO HYUNDAI USA, THEY DENY RESPONSIBILITY OR WARRANTY COVERAGE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED AS 'DEALER DEMOS,' WITH LOW MILEAGE AND FULL MANUFACTURERS 100,00 MILE, 10 YEAR WARRANTY - UNFORTUNATELY FROM A DEALER MISREPRESENTING THEMSELVES AS AN AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. 2002 VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN PROBLEM REALIZED, - DURING WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT REPORTED NO PROBLEM. WE LATER DISCOVERED A REPAIR / MODIFICATION KIT WAS ISSUED BY HYUNDAI TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM - PURCHASED AT WESTERN AUTO - HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ITEM UNTIL WE SHOWED IT TO HIM IN A BRAND NEW UNOPENED BOX. HYUNDAI DID INSTALL THE MODIFICATION / REPAIR KIT TO THE SECOND 2004 SANTA FE AFTER WE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION. ALL DOCUMENTED BY HIDDEN CAMERA VIDEO RECORDING. DANGEROUS AND COSTLY SITUATION. PLEASE ADVISE. WE SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR AND TOWING COSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR HAROLD BAYUK

NHTSA #: 10277456
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2008

I BOUGHT A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, STANDARD 5-SPEED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH TWICE. NOW I AM REPLACING IT AGAIN AS IT WAS DAMAGED BY THE FLY WHEEL. A NEW FLY WHEEL COSTS $1500.00. I HAVE MADE EXTENSIVE EFFORTS TO FIND A USED ONE. MOST OF THE SALVAGE YARDS TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ONE BECAUSE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM AND EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR ONE. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME MOST FLY WHEELS ARE MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE AND DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MOST FLY WHEELS COST UNDER $100.00, SO MOST WARRANTIES DO NOT COVER THE FLY WHEEL. IT SEEMS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS SINCE IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10244675
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2008

WITH REGARDS THE TRANSMISSION OF THE SUV HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2002 AND IT HAS BEEN 4 WEEKS STILL ON THE DEALER SHOP AND NO EXTRA RENTAL CAR PROVIDED AFTER 4 WEEKS THAT'S BEEN,JUST WANTS TO FIND OUT IF IT PART OF THE RECALL VEHICLE. IF WE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING , WHO KNOWS COULD IT HAPPEN IF WE'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION START TO FALL OUT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THIS CONSIDER AS A RECALL, THANK YOU ... *TR

NHTSA #: 10231538
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Feb 2008

HI I WENT TO MY HYUNDAI DEALER TODAY FOR WHAT APPEARED TO BE A RE-OCCURRING FLUID LEAK ON THE TRANSFER CASE SEAL, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THIS TIME THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A VENT TUBE LOCATED AT THE TRANSFER CASE. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REFERENCED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THAT THE FLUID WILL ONLY APPEAR DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. THIS SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ,WITH MY VEHICLE. MY ISSUE IS THAT IN ORDER TO STOP THIS FLUID LEAK,THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE TRANSFER CASE VENT TUBE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED UNIT. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THIS NEW UNIT WILL NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. I ASKED WHY NOT?? IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW ON HYUNDAI'S PART ,HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL THE NEW VENT TUBE UNIT AT THERE COST,NOT THE CONSUMERS'. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $224.32 PARTS AND LABOR TO CORRECT AN ISSUE THAT IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW THAT OCCURRED FROM HYUNDAI. PLEASE RESPOND ACCORDINGLY KENNETH JOHN BASTA *TR

NHTSA #: 10218074
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2008

CLUTCH WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE; SLIPPING. SERVICE PEOPLE AT THE DEALER SAID CLUTCH WAS NO GOOD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 29,700 MILES. THE NEW CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL PLUS LABOR COST ME OVER $1600. *TR

NHTSA #: 10214176
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. DURING ITS LAST OIL CHANGE IT WAS NOTED THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING AT THE JOINT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW TRANS AXLE SEAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,598. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE OIL BEGAN LEAKING TWO DAY LATER. THE PART WAS ORDERED FROM HYUNDAI.*AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED VARIOUS PICTURES OF ABOVE PROBLEM. UPDATE *4/23/07 *TR

NHTSA #: 10186268
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jun 2005

SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA HAD THEM BOTH REPLACED WITH LOW MILEAGE, PROBLEM IS BEING OVER LOOKED BECAUSE WITH THE 100,000 WARRANTY NOBODY EVER FILES A COMPLAINT , THEY JUST REPLACE THEM , THIS PROBLEM IS THERE ,REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT, LEFT FRONT, LOUD NOISE OCCURED AND GETS LOUDER HAS YOU DRIVE,

NHTSA #: 10124913
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2005

THE CONSUMER'S 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. *NM THE COMPANY HAS ANOTHER 2002 SANTA FE( VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER KMHSC81BP2U260090) THAT HAS THE SAME UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER. NUMEROUS SERVICE HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.

NHTSA #: 10115617
mediumPOWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
FireFiled: Feb 2005

MY 2002 V6 4WHEEL DR HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65- 70 MPH DROPPED A DRIVE LINE, IGNITING FLAMES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. LITHIA OF FRESNO CLAIMS IT WAS DUE TO LOW FLUIDS IN THE TRANSFER CASE, THUS IT OVERHEATED AND THE LINE SNAPPED OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED 2 WEEKS PRIOR, THE FLUIDS WERE FINE, THE TRANSFER CASE WAS OKAY. THERE WAS A VAGUE HUM IN THE DRIVE OF THE CAR AFTER RETURNING FROM THE MOUNTAINS THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. OTHER 2ND OPINIONS BELIEVE THE AUTO SWITCH IN THE SMART SYSTEM FAILED AND LEFT IT STUCK IN 4WHEEL DR HENCE OVERHEATING THE TRANSFER CASE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARANTY FOR REPAIRS (120,000 ON POWER TRAIN/ENGINE) THEY DENIED THE WARANTY COVERAGE, SO IT'S NOT REPAIRED. ESTIMATE IS OVER $6,000.00. THERE SHOULD BE AN INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE CAR AS TO WHAT DRIVE IT'S IN, AND ENGINEERING MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND HAZZARD. INVESTIGATE PLEASE.*AK

NHTSA #: 10112072

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