Transmission Not Engage Problems of Hyundai Santa Fe

I have had on at least a half dozen times where the vehicle will not accelerate after stopping, and then attempting to accelerate. For example: leaving a parking lot going onto a roadway attempting to accelerate quickly to get up to the speed limit. Attempting to turn left at a flashing red left turn lane traffic light. The vehicle will roll about 10-20', but will not accelerate, like the transmission is not engaging. Sometimes the engine will rev to 4000-5000rpms. I will quickly let off of the throttle, then it will take off. The engine does not rev every time. The dealership replaced a module on the transmission approximately one year ago, but it did not help. They had it for one day in July 2020, attempting to replicate the problem, but to no avail. The most recent incident with the vehicle where this failure to accelerate occurred was 12/26/2020, where upon leaving a service station onto a four lane road, it once again rolled to 10-15 mph, but would not go while the engine rpms went to 4000. As traffic was rapidly approaching I kept my foot on the throttle, and it finally started picking up speed. This is getting to be a dangerous vehicle to drive.

See all problems of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe 🔎.

All wheel drive system does not engage. Was told by Hyundai service team that this is a recurring problem in the Santa Fe and a very expensive fix. I myself have seen hundreds of people with this issue on various forums. Car only has 123,000 miles as of 12/21/2020.

See all problems of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 🔎.

Transmission disengages at red-line speeds. Engine rpm's continue to rev up while vehicle forward trajectory is cut off. Intermittent problem - creates safety issue when passing at freeway speeds and transmission disengages at red-line instead of shifting up to the next gear. When going from zero to sixty (from a stop) the tachometer/transmission will disengage after first gear hits redline. This happens while in automatic mode. Engine continues to rev higher rpm's, but vehicle loses forward trajectory. This has been an intermittent problem since owning the car which was purchased brand new in 2015.

See all problems of the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe 🔎.

The car will not shift into drive. Very hard to shift and when I finally got it into "drive", the transmission does not engage. Unable to move the vehicle forward. It will go into reverse, but not drive. Shifter becomes harder to move after attempting to move it several times. The car was stationary.

See all problems of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 🔎.

When accelerating from a stop and entering traffic, when you press on accelerator the transmission dis engages and leaves you in the middle of the intersection with no power and putting you in danger of being hit. Once transmission kicks back in, the engine revs and vehicle jolts. This is very dangerous and will get someone killed. Hyundai has to address this issue.

Dealer reflashed (upgraded?) the computer during an unrelated door lock repair. Afterwards, the transmission disengages at low speed/coasting, then reengages violently. When requested to restore the computer to the original factory program, the dealer said it cannot be done. There have been subsequent reflashes installed to improve the situation, but to no avail. Dealer says "the computer just has to learn my driving habits". It's a dangerous situation when you're not aware of the disengagement, the engine rpm increases, then a sudden engagement occurs.

See all problems of the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 🔎.

I was accelerating while entering traffic from a side street and the computer for the transmission put the transmission in neutral. I lost power as the engine rpm spiked up. The transmission was still in drive and the transmission did not engage again until I took my foot off the accelerator and then reapplied it. Aside from this problem being a vehicle defect, this situation could have caused an accident. I have taken the vehicle into the dealership twice for this problem since the end of July. The first time I took it in the dealership was able to reproduce the defect but they could not reproduce the defect the second time. Unfortunately this type of failure does not show up in the cars computer. Each time the car was returned to the dealership the transmission software was updated and the car was driven for a period of time as a relearning exercise. Obviously this did not correct the problem and without a failure code in the computer to pinpoint the problem the dealership is unsure which computer or component needs to be corrected. With this defect this vehicle should not be on the road because of the risk of an accident.

As the engine starts with the gear shift in "park", the 2010 sante fe lurches forward as if the transmission has not disengaged. The forward lurch ranges from a sensation of motion to an inch of tire rotation. Furthermore, this happens again when the vehicle is in motion when idling between 1200-1500 rpm and when accelerator is released and pressed again at around 20 mph to 25 mph. It has happened at speeds as high as 40 to 45 mph. It feels like someone bumped into me from behind. In one instance I quickly applied the brakes assuming I was rear-ended.

On purchase of my vehicle, Hyundai sante fe, the car has had troubles. I have had it back to the dealer multiple times since I purchased the car with the same complaint. When starting the car and pulling out from a stopped position the car hesitates 3 to 4 times before driving smoothl. It feels like the car is bucking or hesitating. . . . I have had it to the dealer atleast 5 times since it's purchase. They can not duplicate the problem. I have told them specifically how to get the car to do the problem however they do not follow my instructions. The car needs to be pulled out of the parked position with force. (as if pulling into a high traffic area out of a parking spot) it occurs more offen when the car is cold, but also makes the same hesitation if the car is warm. However, never after the intial engagement while driving. It does not happen while parked at stop light while the car is running. It occurs when initially turning the car on. This problem has not lead to an accident to date, however it could if not resolved. If pulling out into a high traffic area and the car does not engaged and get up to speed, I can see being hit by another car.

See all problems of the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 🔎.

I took possession of a brand-new Hyundai Santa Fe (2003 - 25 miles on odometer) on Friday, June 20, 2003. Saturday, June 21,2003 I took the car out for a drive. Driving at 35 miles mph the transmission shifted (by it self) out of "drive (d") into . . . ? (neutral, I'm guessing by the revving of the engine). The car rolled slowly due to its own forward momentum, however, pressing on accelerator succeeding in only revving up the engine - "drive" refused to engage. Several attempts were futile. I shut the car down (after limping to the side of a 6-lane road in traffic!). Waited a few moments (perhaps a minute or two) and restarted the car. The transmission once more would not engage into drive. I shut the car down again and waited a little longer (perhaps two -three minutes) and started it again. This time the transmission engaged and I drove it home - very carefully! I contacted the dealership (keyes Hyundai in van nuys) and had the car flatbed towed to the dealership. I have no idea what the outcome will be. I have to wait until Monday, June 23 at 7:30a. M. (pst) for their service department to open. Meantime - I have a brand new car that has spent one day in my physical possession and will have spent over 72 hours sitting in the dealerships service bay!.

See all problems of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 🔎.