One problem related to transmission noise has been reported for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2003 Santa Fe.
Recently, my 2003 Santa Fe has had a grinding/whinning/rubbing noise when I take off at low speeds. Sounds like might be transmission, wheel bearing or pulley, but not sure. Took vehicle to dealship and his analysis was that the noise was coming from the idler pulley. Ordered new pulley and will replace when it comes in. This noise would come and go at speeds between 5 - 25 mph and would last for several seconds up to a minute.