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Hyundai Santa Fe Transmission Problems

rivravrivrav Member Posts: 2
What is the transmission capacity for a 2003 Santa Fe with a 3.5 liter engine and what type of fluid is needed? I cannot find the manual. Thanks.
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Comments

  • surf55surf55 Member Posts: 5
    I have had persistent squeeling noise with clutch especially in 1st gear and 2nd when moving slowly it's very noticable. The dealer is useless, has kept the car for 2days at a time and has never fixed it.The stickshift will lock up sporadically in 1st or 2nd gear and becomes difficult to shift into any gear. The dealer now claims the clutch is not covered under Hyundai's bumper to bumper warranty. The vehile has 48,000 miles. Can anyone help or has similar problem?
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I recommend trying the main Hyundai Santa Fe: Problems & Solutions discussion or the general Transmission Traumas? discussion.

    tidester, host
  • marosuzmarosuz Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2004 santa fe 4 cylinder. I wanted to change the trans fluid and filter . i got the filter from the car parts store but I don't see any external filter on the trans Is this the wrong part or am i going blind.
  • kidkjbikeriderkidkjbikerider Member Posts: 1
    Hello,

    Did you ever find out where the filter goes? Is it internal or external?

    thanks
  • nifty56nifty56 Member Posts: 279
    Most tranny filters are internal but not sure about the Santa fe
  • abonifacioabonifacio Member Posts: 2
    Just picked up my 2007 Santa Fe 3 weeks ago and I have put on approx. 1400km. I have noticed that every time I park the suv, turn off the engine restart it, drive it that when I hits 30km/hr my gas pedal vibrates. This has being going on for 2 weeks. It doesn't matter how long it sits for when it reaches 30km after a restart the pedal will vibrate, it works fine after that. It is going for service tomorrow. Any idea what this can be? Thanks
  • rbautistarbautista Member Posts: 8
    Mine does this too. I brought it in and they said it has to do with the ABS "engaging". Not sure what that really means, but they confirmed it has nothing to do with the transmission. The mechanic drove 3 others on the lot and confirmed that they all did the samething. I'm suspecting they don't know what it is yet and I'm sure they will figure it out. Has your dealership figured out what the issue is?
  • ergsumergsum Member Posts: 146
    ABS system self test.
  • abonifacioabonifacio Member Posts: 2
    Yes that exactly what they told me that the ABS does a self test at 15-30 km. They had to call Hyundai Canada to give them an idea how to fix it. It's still there so I'm going to leave alone for now and call different dealerships if they have heard of this problem.
    thanks for the reply
  • ykangykang Member Posts: 88
    It is a ABS self test. My 2005 Accord EX-V6 and 2006 Azera did the same thing.
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    I own the 2007 AWD Limited. Same issue. This is normal operation of the ABS System. Dealer said it would eventually taper off as the vehicle put on a few thousand miles. We will see...
  • srdriversrdriver Member Posts: 48
    I am attempting to buy a 2007 Santa Fe Limited but dealer does not have what I am looking for. They are trying to get one with their allocation.

    I sent a couple of emails to Customer Service and when I did not get a reply from either one of them, called them on the phone but all they did is notify the dealer that I had called?

    What is so funny about the whole thing is I only live 91 miles from the Hyundai Plant in Montgomery.

    For some reason Hyundai does not allow anyone to order a vehicle unlike other manufacturers from what the dealer and customer service told me?

    I also sent a letter to the Hyundai Motor America in Fountain Valley California but have not received any reply from them either?
  • srdriversrdriver Member Posts: 48
    Still no luck! Sales folks including sales manager said that the vehicle should be here today (Saturday).

    Not here!

    Guess we will see what happens next week?

    Am about ready to give up!
  • gwillygwilly Member Posts: 51
    :( First time poster, and whole-heartedly agree about the pretzel logic in allocations. I have been going crazy in So.Cal trying to get a 2007 AWD, Limited, Touring+Ultimate that doesn't seem to exist.

    Last week I saw the headquarters with those new Santa Fe's with red ribbons on top in the lobby and front grass, I was soo tempted to go in and get some answers...however getting home was more important. My AAA dealer rep at the local dealer says he will talk to distribution on Monday.

    Sounds like a broken record.
  • srdriversrdriver Member Posts: 48
    I will be 65 years old this spring and have purchased many vehicles over the years by ordering what I want from the factory including the one that I am now driving.

    Hyundai should allow one to order the vehicle with the options they want too!

    Depending on an allocation and having the dealership trying to spend time locating a vehicle from another dealer + the cost?????

    Hyundai dealership web sites are BADLY lacking with info on new vehicle inventory, colors, options, etc!

    Sales staff are are not aware of options and other features and many do not have access to a computer so they could be informed of issues like TSBs, incentives, etc., nor do they have an email address for the most part.

    In my opinion they have great vehicles but the entire sales procedure is badly lacking!!!

    I have been trying to get a Santa Fe Limited Edition now for a month and may get it today??? Ended up getting the Gray Leather rather than the Beige that I wanted.

    They have a great product and much effort has went into improvements in their vehicles.

    Looks like the same effort should be put into sales??
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    This issue seems to be a real problem. Fortunately for me I have never had any of these problems. Large selection, well trained staff and excellent support in the shop. I am in New York. Can you share the locations your having these issues?
  • sirvagabondsirvagabond Member Posts: 51
    GWilly,
    Got mine in So Cal too. Out here in San Diego, Kearny Mesa Hyundai/Subaru. Ran into the same problem with my color combonations and trim. However, my salesman was a trooper. A few times a week he'd call me and tell me where and how close he could get to my options. Even contacted the factory to see when then next batch of SF's were to be ran so I could look to expect it. I finally conceded on choosing 3 different color combo's in order of perference, till alas one came in that was everything I wanted except for the AWD. But long story short, he stayed on top of it to the point where his manager wasn't too pleased with the time he was spending on it. Offering to drive to Tuscon to pick one up, even. All this without a cent of a downpayment. EXCELLENT service here.

    Good luck man, and hope it all works out soon for you.
    FYI, I was told that Alabama planned a new batch to be ran in December. Also, they ship trims/colors/options according to demographic polls. i.e.- if cherry red don't sell well in Orange County, they won't continue to regularly ship cherry reds. At least that's what I was told.
  • tester1tester1 Member Posts: 33
    Hi,
    I am here in San Diego too, would you please advise what kind of price you got from Kearny Mesa?
    Thanks
  • sirvagabondsirvagabond Member Posts: 51
    FWD LIMITED, Premium/Touring package.
    OPTIONS: Extended Warranty/Teflon interior/exterior coat/upgraded alarm system.
    Slate Blue/Beige interior

    $500 Factory Rebate
    $1,000 Trade-in
    $31k TTL - Out The Door

    Dealer made about $200 over invoice. Thought it was as good a deal I'd get in So Cal.
    Waited for about a month for it to come in.
  • gwillygwilly Member Posts: 51
    The sales guy never called and after calling him this evening he didn't see any coming down the pipe. The funny thing is that the exact model I wanted was available up in Northern California, but a dealer demo with a 1000 miles on it. However, didn't feel like driving up there to negotiate for it.

    I'm heading to Vegas this weekend for a previously scheduled trip, I will be checking out the 2 big dealerships out there.
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    Good Luck - Dont settle. The new Santa's are worth the wait for what you want.
  • sirvagabondsirvagabond Member Posts: 51
    I got the run around from Frank Hyundai in National City (mile of cars) and in Carlsbad as well. Those guys were the worst.

    Yeah, in fact, I've got a connection in Vegas, a Hyundai Dealer Sales Manager. Called him before I made my purchase here in SD, confirmed my numbers were fair. Sales tax is cheeper there too.

    Good Luck,let me know what you find out.
  • gwillygwilly Member Posts: 51
    On the sale tax topic, if you buy it in Nev. wouldn't you just get a permit to drive it home(Calif.) so you can register it in your home state and pay the appropriate sales tax for your county/state?

    I spoke with the sales person in Nev. and he said that it's no problem with the above scenario. However, I'll check with my local Dept. Motor Vehicles just to be safe.
  • srdriversrdriver Member Posts: 48
    Same here in southeastern Alabama. Georgia and Florida are about 20 miles from us here and if you buy a Santa Fe in either state when you get your tags here you pay the tax.

    Here in this state it is @ 3.25% while in both Florida and Georgia it is higher.

    It took a month in locating the Santa Fe Limited that I wanted and ended up with Gray Interior rather rather than what I wanted but kind of like the Gray now.

    Hyundai has a great product and Love the Santa Fe but needs much work in the sales areas and needs to bring the sales folks at the dealers up to speed. They should have a computer on their desk with an email address, their web site should have the current new vehicle inventory including colors options, etc., like other manufactures do and one should have the option of ordering a vehicle!!

    The last vehicle (Chevy) I owned, I ordered it from the Factory and it came in and they called me.

    Hyundai could improve sales figures if they think a bit "out of the box" and make improvements in the dealerships!

    Have also found that many of the sales staff are not aware of vehicle options, TSBs, etc.

    I am well pleased with my new Santa Fe but not the experience I went through in obtaining it!
  • hoo320hoo320 Member Posts: 46
    I am in NY too. Would you please share the name of the good dealer in your experience?
    Thanks

    Rich
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    MANFREDI HYUNDAI 1590 HYLAN BLVD. STATEN ISLAND, NY, 10305
  • deanov6deanov6 Member Posts: 13
    Hi Guys

    I've put a post in the main maintenance and repair thread as well but I thought it was worth starting a new topic as well...

    I have a 2001 Santa Fe 2.7AWD with 68,000 miles on the clock. Driving to work I went to pull out, the car started to move and then lost all drive to the wheels as if it had popped out of gear. Taking the car to a gear box specialist they have now told me that both the transfer case and gear box need replacing to fix the problem (mainly because the actually broken part between the two is not sold separately by Hyundai). To supply and fit these parts will cost £5300 and this is POUNDS so I don't know what that works out at in Dollars. I turned green when I was told, the whole car is only worth about £6000. Oh, and over here we don't get the 10-year drive train warranty.

    I've contacted Hyundai Customer Services and they are refusing to help out at all. So, I am faced with the decision of having to pay the money, which would probably take 3 years to pay for, or scrap the car and lose my money that way and have to by something cheap instead. This is a ridiculous situation. How can a six year old car with 68000 miles on it possible need a repair that is nearly the same as the entire value of the car.

    Hyundai, you need to sort yourselves out. I will never be buying another Hyundai ever again.

    Oh, by the way, this problem all started out with that thumping in the axels when engaging reverse and I was told it was nothing - you have been warned!
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    A quick conversion is to multiply GBP by 2 to get USD. (Today the actual conversion is 1.93.)

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • deanov6deanov6 Member Posts: 13
    So the repair is costing me about $10,000 then on a car worth about $12,000
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Correct. :(

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • alsretiredalsretired Member Posts: 3
    I purchase a 2007 Santa Fe Limited AWD which now has 5,000 miles on it. There is a very noticeable wine which seems to be coming from the transmission. This noise seems to be more noticeable at lower speeds (under 40 mph). The transmission is working fine but the wine is very disturbing. I am not sure if this is a problem or a noise that I will have to live with. I was just wandering if anyone has experienced a similar transmission noise with their Santa Fe?
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    Many have had a similar issue. Hyundai had released a TSB on it. Below is a clip. This MAY be your problem. Have the dealer look at it so they can rule out an impending failure.

    Technical Service
    Bulletin
    Group
    TRANSAXLE
    Number
    07-40-001
    Subject
    2007 SANTA FE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FINAL DRIVE
    GEAR “WHINE” NOISE
    Date
    JANUARY, 2007
    Model
    2007 SANTA FE
    DESCRIPTION:
    Some 2007 Santa Fe vehicles with automatic transaxles produced prior to May 25,
    2006 may experience a faint gear “whine” noise from the transaxle when:
    • Driving at a steady speed with light throttle
    • Decelerating at light throttle
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    FYI

    If there is nothing wrong with your tranny then they will follow the TSB I showed you to install a device that will stop noise/vibration from getting to you in the cabin. From what I have read, noise/vibration can be transmitted through the shift cable into the truck
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    You did not specify manual or automatic so I gave you both out of the shop manuals. Let me know if this helps.

    Applies to: Santa Fe 2001-2003 and XG 300 2001
    GROUP
    Transaxle/Transmission Automatic Transaxle System

    LUBRICATIONS
    Items Specified lubricant Quantity
    Transaxle fluid lit. (U.S. qts., Imp,qts.)
    GENUINE DIAMOND ATF SP-II M
    8.5 (8.9,7.5)

    Transfer case oil
    SHELL SPIRAX AX (SAE 80W/90, API GL-5)
    0.8L

    Inner Hollow shaft
    KLUBER MICROLUBE GNY 202
    As required

    Outer Hollow shaft
    KLUBER MICROLUBE GNY 202
    As required


    SEALANTS
    Items Specified sealant
    Rear cover
    Hyundai genine sealant TB1281B or equivalent

    Torque converter housing
    Hyundai genine sealant TB1281B or equivalent

    Valve body cover
    Hyundai genine sealant TB1281B or equivalent

    Applies to: Santa Fe 2001-2004
    GROUP
    Transaxle/Transmission Manual Transaxle System

    LUBRICATIONS
    Item Recommended lubricant Quantity
    Transaxle gear oil lit. (U.S. Imp.qts.)
    Hypoid gear oil, SAE 75W/90, API-GL4
    2.3 (2.4, 1.9)

    Transaxle input shaft spline
    CASMOLY L9508
    As required

    Transaxle oil seal lip
    RETINAX AM, MOLYTEX GREASE EP-2
    As required

    Transaxle case and clutch housing alignment surface
    THREE BOND 1216
    As required

    Transaxle case and rear cover alignment surface
    THREE BOND 1216
    As required

    Bearing retaining bolt (flush bolt only)
    THREE BOND1303
    As required
  • rivravrivrav Member Posts: 2
    Thank you. This informtion is much appreciated.
  • alsretiredalsretired Member Posts: 3
    I took my 2007 Santa Fe in for service and had TSB 07-40-001 installed but the transmission continues to whine. The whining noise exists up to 45 mph when it shifts into 5th gear. I am going to take it bad to service but I am beginning to think this may be a common 2007 Santa Fe problem. Is anyone out there experiencing this problem?
  • bkirk1bkirk1 Member Posts: 21
    Hi
    I have a 2007 gls with a 2.7 and a 4 speed automatic.
    I have the same issue I thought it was the tires but I think it might be some problem with the transmission. I can hear the noise from the drivers seat on my right and from my left in the passengers seat. next visit I wanted to do the tsb you mentioned. The car just seems very noisy for a new car>
  • boatman1339boatman1339 Member Posts: 16
    I have an 06 santa fe, purchased new. I have gone to the dealer for all the oil changes, etc. On a previous oil change visit, the mechanic suggested I should have a transmission flush done. I had it done this past weekend, along with an oil change, tire rotation, and new air filter. Up until this past weekend, the car ran great, no problems whatsoever. It was just a terrific ride.
    SO, after the recent work, i went home and parked in the driveway. A few hours later, I went to head out to the store, and I noticed oil spots on the driveway. I slid under the car, and the crossmember and shield were covered in oil and dripping. I went back to the dealer, and they cleaned it up, and said there were no leaks.
    Now the car idles rough, the rpms, drop to 300 when I come to a stop, and When I put it in park, the rpms jump to 1200. Also, when slowing down, it surges when it drops into first gear. Went to the dealer today, and they said there is nothing wrong with it, there are no codes. Anybody have any ideas as to what this could be?
  • technikaltechnikal Member Posts: 14
    I'd say it's probably related to the transmission work they did. I'd check the tranmission fluid level to ensure it is correct. The fluid leak you discovered could have been Automatic Transmission Fluid and not oil. I'm also not a big fan of tranmission flushes. If the transmission is clean, it doesn't need to be flushed, and it it's dirty, flushing it just moves the junk around and can cause more problems. And unless you've been driving a -lot- of miles or doing a -lot- of heavy towing, I can't imagine needing any transmission service at all on a car less than 2 years old.

    Then I'd find a new mechanic as the one you've been using doesn't seem to be doing a good job. Turning the car over the the customer will oil all over it is just bad. Tell the customer that "nothing's wrong" when obviously there is a problem is even worse.
  • boatman1339boatman1339 Member Posts: 16
    I agree, it probably is due to the transmission flush. I checked it running hot, in idle, and it looked ok. I also checked it this morning, cold, and the fluid was above the hot mark. There is a cold mark on the stick, never heard of that before. But i'll check it again today after i drive it a while. As far as the flush goes, during my previous oil change, the dealer mechanic recommended a flush because i have put 23000 miles on it in a year. Mostly highway miles. It didn't seem right to me either, I figured he knew more about the car than me.
    I'm scheduled to take it back to the dealer this coming week. I'll post the results, if they fix it. Thanks.
  • boatman1339boatman1339 Member Posts: 16
    Ok, Went back to the Dealer. I explained the symptoms again, and also told the advisor that the transmission fluid look a bit high.
    The mechanic had the car about two and a half hours. He said there still was no code, so he started taking things apart . Scary !! He said he saw some carbon deposits on the IAC (idle air control actuater(valve), so he replaced it. Said that took care of the problem. He didn't mention the transmission fluid level.
    I took the car off the lot, and at my first sto, actually leaving the lot, the same problem occured, RPM's down to about 300. Man was I pissed!
    I just went straight to another dealer about an hour from my home. Called on the way, and luckily they had a cancellation, and they took me in.
    got to the dealer, and related the problems, including the transmission level. The mechanic got out the GDI (computer) and hit the road. He came back in about ten minutes and had me drive him around. We came to a red light, and he said "that's it" !! He watched the computer as I drove, and when I stopped, the TPS (throttle position sensor) did not shut off. We went back to the shop, he replaced the sensor, cleared the computer, had me drive it again with the GDI hooked up, it ran great, went back to the shop again, he drained off two quarts of transmission fluid and topped it off. All is well !!!! And I've found a real hyundai tech to service my vehicle.
  • surf55surf55 Member Posts: 5
  • windeguywindeguy Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2003 Santa Fe with a 4 cylinder engine and 4 speed automatic transmission. At about 30,000 miles, it went into safe mode (2nd gear) several times during a trip in the mountains. It was like being rear-ended each time it happened. Then, the problem disappeared. A few hundred miles later, the timing belt prematurely failed and we had to rebuild the engine. It ran fine for a few hundred miles and then the transmission acted up again, shifting erractically. There were no trouble codes when the ECM was scanned, but the dealer changed the output speed sensor as the best guss. That helped the erratic shifting. Now, when cold, the transmission is staying in 2nd gear for about bewteen one and two miles and then it starts to shift normally. The Santa Fe is not under warranty where I live in the Dominican Republic and I don't really trust the dealer. Parts must often be ordered from the USA.

    Because of this, I recently ordered an EQUUS scanner so I can read the diagnostic codes myself, but I get the feeling there won't be any error codes since I don't get a check engine light. Any ideas on what could be causing the problem with staying in 2nd gear until it warms up? Perhaps the other speed sensor needs to be replaced?
  • fred63fred63 Member Posts: 23
    I bought a 07 Santa Fe Se with the 5sp auto trans.When I slow down to about 15 mph and step on the gas the car moves very slowly unless you step on the gas hard. When I was slowing down I put the car in the manual mode and watched the display that shows what gear the car was in. I started out at about 50 MPH, put it in manual mode,and slowed down. The indicator showed 5, 4, 3, and skipped 2 and went to 1. Is this normal? I tried this several times. Could someone else try this and let me know if this is normal or is my transmission defective. When accelerating from a stop everything seems normal. Thanks, Fred.
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    3 to 1 is normal. Why? Dont know but I own 2 07 Limited's and they both do the same thing with the gear shift in sport mode. As for the sluggish response from 15mph, sorry, both santa's are very responsive for 4000 plus lbs suv's. What you may be encountering is the slight lag due to gas pedal by wire. The gas pedal is electronic. Some dont notice it at all.
  • btj1btj1 Member Posts: 6
    Was experiencing shifting in and out of gear periodically. Took it to dealer several time and could not duplicate problem or find error code. After 3 years finally got tech in car and bam-bam back and forth as problem got worse. Could not get error code? The finally called Hyundai tech support and guess what? They had issued a tech bulletin re this problem and had a transmission program update!!!! This is all after it knocked out my throttle positioning sensor!!! So if you experience this tell them there is a FIX!!!!
  • fred63fred63 Member Posts: 23
    Thank you for the quick response and you saved me a phone call and a trip to the dealer.What I have been trying to do is slow down under 15 MPH and then the transmission kicks into first gear giving me plenty of power. :) What a great vehicle. Fred.
  • dksantadksanta Member Posts: 2
    Hi there. I have a 03 Fe 3.5L FW with over 75K.. I just recently had my transmission cooler tubes replaced because it was leaking. At the same time, the dealer suggested that I get my transmission flushed. I agreed to have it done. Since then, it has been running very funny. It sounds really rough when I accelerate and a little louder when it is in idle..
    Does these symptoms relate to the recent flushing?

    Thank you!
  • somedai1somedai1 Member Posts: 416
    shouldn't be related - sounds like you're getting engine noise...
  • dksantadksanta Member Posts: 2
    Thank you for your reply somedai1.. Looks like I'm going back to the dealership Again!!!
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