The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated received notification of Hyundai Recall Campaign Number: 236, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (DCT) TCU software update was performed. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off temporarily and almost came to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated.…
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe powertrain problems
moderate 48 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
48
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 48 powertrain complaints filed for the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 30% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 48 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2021 Santa Fe has a well-documented transmission defect affecting the 8-speed DCT that causes sudden loss of power, hard shifting, and failure to engage gears—creating serious safety hazards. Hyundai's recall (22V746000) attempts at oil pump replacement and software updates have failed to resolve underlying issues, with some owners requiring multiple transmission replacements and others still waiting months for parts availability.
The 2021 Santa Fe's transmission is failing across the board in multiple ways. The most common and dangerous issue is sudden, complete loss of drive power—engine running but zero forward or reverse motion, sometimes at highway speeds. Owners report engine revving with no acceleration, requiring multiple restart attempts to get moving again. Some cases happen at 7,500 miles, others at 50,000+.
Hard shifting and hesitation plague most vehicles. Transmission jerks or shudders when shifting, lags 10+ seconds before engaging gear, then suddenly jolts forward violently. One owner reported a fresh transmission replacement still shifting hard within days.
Transmission stuck in low gear appears regularly—engine screaming at 4,000–5,000 RPM while the vehicle crawls, forcing drivers to slow to a near stop to force an upshift.
Limp mode (15–26 mph max) activates without warning, sometimes following Hyundai's recall fix. Shift lever failures prevent gear selection entirely. Vehicle reverses when Drive is selected.
The recall (22V746000) for the transmission electric oil pump and TCU software updates hasn't fixed the problem. Owners report identical failures after recall completion. Transmission replacement is the go-to fix, but multiple owners needed two, three, or more replacements—and some still report the same symptoms immediately after. Parts availability has been critical: dealers still can't source replacements months after notification. Dealerships often claim no codes stored, no problem found, or "normal for this model," even after multiple visits.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Power Loss / Loss of Drive
Vehicle suddenly loses the ability to move forward or reverse despite engine running. Engine may rev but vehicle will not accelerate. Occurs at various speeds, sometimes with no warning, sometimes preceded by beeping or warning messages. Multiple restart attempts may be required to restore movement.
When: Occurs throughout ownership; some cases within first 2 years, others after 40,000+ miles. One case at 7,500 miles, multiple in the 10,000-21,000 mile range.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of forward or reverse motion despite depressing accelerator; Engine revs with no corresponding acceleration; No movement even with foot on gas pedal; May occur suddenly without warning or with beeping sounds; Sometimes accompanied by check engine light after the fact; Vehicle may roll backward if on an incline; Sometimes resolved by restarting vehicle multiple times
Codes mentioned: P1C2D03, P1C2E92, No codes retrieved in some cases despite failure
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required in most cases; multiple owners required transmission replacement twice or more. Some cases received transmission fluid flush or refill with no permanent resolution. Software/TCU updates attempted with limited success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V746000 (Recall 236) for transmission electric oil pump; TCU software updates issued; transmission warranty replacements performed but failures recurred in multiple cases; recall parts unavailable for extended periods
Hard Shifting / Hesitation on Acceleration
Transmission shifts roughly or jerks, or vehicle hesitates / lags significantly before engaging into gear when accelerator is depressed. When it does engage, takeoff may be abrupt and forceful.
When: Began within first month to first two years of ownership; occurs at low speeds, during merges, and at intersections
Symptoms owners cite: Hard or jerky shifting; Hesitation before vehicle responds to accelerator input; Delayed engagement into gear; Abrupt or violent downshifting; Transmission shuddering or shaking when shifting; Extreme lag before gear engagement, vehicle then accelerates hard; Problem occurs across different driving modes (comfort, smart, sport); Vehicle may take 10+ seconds to respond to accelerator
Codes mentioned: Check engine light reported in some cases, No codes in others
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claimed some instances were normal for the model; TCU reset and software updates performed with limited effect; transmission replacement performed in multiple cases; fuel injector replacement attempted in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 236 and 22V746000 issued; dealerships performed TCU software updates and transmission resets; some owners told to replace transmission repeatedly under warranty until coverage expires
Transmission Stuck in Low Gear / Gear Shift Failure
Transmission will not shift out of first gear, or refuses to shift up through the gears, with engine revving to high RPMs (3,500–5,000) while vehicle speed does not increase proportionally. Vehicle must be slowed to a near stop to force a shift.
When: First month to two years of ownership; occurred approximately 8 times in one case with 16+ months between first and last incident
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM increases to 3,500–5,000 without corresponding speed increase; Vehicle stuck in first gear or low gear range; Will not upshift despite high engine RPM; Requires slowing to near stop and then accelerating again to force shift; High engine noise with minimal vehicle movement
Codes mentioned: TCU diagnostics showed 4,000–5,000 RPM without shifting in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed TCU update and transmission reset on May 10, 2021; problem recurred August 4, 2021
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TCU software update attempted; Hyundai corporate declined to repurchase or intervene without being able to duplicate the problem; case manager was not assigned despite complaint filing
Transmission Reverses When Drive Selected / Shift Actuator Failure
Vehicle reverses unintentionally when Drive is selected, or refuses to move forward and reverses instead despite shift lever being in Drive position. RPMs may rev up without forward motion.
When: 10,000–31,000 miles; one case with repeated incidents over several months
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle reverses when Drive is selected; Failure to move forward when Drive selected; Shift attempts result in reverse motion instead; Drive warning light illuminates; May require multiple shift attempts to engage Drive properly; Problem recurs after initial repair
Codes mentioned: Drive warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Shift actuator replacement performed in one case at 10,273 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Shift actuator replaced under warranty
Limp Mode / Reduced Power Mode Engagement
Vehicle enters limp mode (maximum speed 15–26 mph) for 10–20 seconds before either recovering or losing all drive power. Transmission control unit (TCU) warning triggered.
When: At various mileage levels; some cases shortly after recall completion
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly limited to 15–26 mph; Beeping alarm or warning sounds; Transmission Control Unit (TCU) warning message or light; Warning messages sent to owner's phone/email; Vehicle may stall or die after limp mode; Engine on but no forward motion
Codes mentioned: P1C2D03, P1C2E92, Transmission Control Unit problem codes
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement ordered; one case awaiting parts since October 2022; software updates and transmission relearning attempted with recurring failures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V746000 issued; transmission replacement under warranty ordered but parts unavailable; TCU software update and relearning performed but failures recurred
Vehicle Stalling / Complete Power Loss While Driving
Engine and/or transmission shut off completely while driving, leaving vehicle immobile on roadway. Occurs at various speeds with little or no warning.
When: Various mileage; cases reported from 13,000 to 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off or stalls completely while driving; No warning lights in some cases; check engine light in others; Vehicle does not respond to accelerator; Requires restart to restore function; Hazards activation necessary in some cases; May leave vehicle unable to move forward or in reverse
Codes mentioned: Check engine light reported in some cases, No retrievable codes in others despite multiple dealer visits
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement diagnosed as necessary; in some cases dealership unable to retrieve fault codes despite multiple visits; vehicle towed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 22V746000 notified; transmission replacement ordered; some cases manufacturer declined further assistance
Shift Lever / Transmission Control System Malfunction
Transmission shift lever stops working or transmission enters fail-safe mode, preventing gear selection. Vehicle may shut off automatically or remain unable to shift despite multiple attempts.
When: Approximately 10,000 miles and later; multiple incidents in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever unresponsive or non-functional; Unable to select Drive, Reverse, or Neutral; Auto shut-off activates; Vehicle immobile once foot removed from brake; Shifter system malfunction warning message; Service immediately warning displayed; Manual restart required to restore gear selection
Codes mentioned: Shifter system malfunction warning, Transmission control system warning
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shift lever repair attempted; one case remained at dealership for extended period
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software update performed; shift lever or control system repair attempted
Transmission Disengages While Driving / Gear Slip
While driving, transmission abruptly disengages or slips out of gear, leaving vehicle without motive power. Engine RPMs increase to 4,000–5,000 but vehicle slows dramatically.
When: Various speeds and mileage; highway and residential speeds reported
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power while driving; RPMs increase to 4,000–5,000 with no acceleration; Vehicle slows dramatically despite engine revving; Transmission effectively disengages from engine; No warning lights in some cases; Resolved by restarting vehicle
Codes mentioned: No codes retrieved in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic appointment scheduled but not yet completed in reported cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V746000 referenced by owners; no repair information provided in most cases
Synthesized from 48 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made…
Vehicle warning alarm activated, car went into limp mode for about 20 seconds, and then lost all drive. Warning message for Transmission Control Unit problem. Several previous temporary failures with no stored codes over past two or three months, one previously reported to NHTSA. Drive would not engage even after multiple restart attempts. The short amount of time and reduced speed could cause a…
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able…
The issue first came up in June 2022. When driving the vehicle and coming to a stop the vehicle lost power and would not drive at all. After a few seconds the check engine light came on. After multiple attempts to shift into gear and restart the vehicle the vehicle did have power but for only about 10 miles before doing it again. We ended up having the vehicle towed to the Hyundai dealership.…
I have been aware of this SAFETY DEFECT/RECALL for over 2 months now yet Hyundai has no remedy planned thus placing owners and others on the road in serious danger. This is unacceptable and I wish to file a formal complaint with the NHTSA. (NHTSA recall number 22V-746)
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while making a turn from a complete stop, the vehicle responded but suddenly stopped. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle 5 minutes later. However, upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine made abnormal roaring sounds. The contact was able to drive after several attempts and…
There were two warning (?) "bings" from the instrument cluster and then vehicle completely lost power and would not exceed maybe 2 MPH. Vehicle had forward drive, but no willingness for engine to speed up beyond idle speed. Was like this for several city blocks until I was able to restart at a traffic light and then it resumed normal operation. Did not notice any warning lights and no messages…
My transmission failed, even after the #236 recall in 2022. My car was recalled for Recall #236 in 2022. My car was updated and "fixed" and now in 2025 is showing the p1c2d03 code and requiring a new transmission. The same recall, without the fix.The car is in great health and never had issues until I was going 60 miles per hour on a busy highway and it reduced to 26 miles per hour during busy…
The vehicle will not move forward or reverse, when drive or reverse is selected. The car has been at the dealership since 10/11/2022. I was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. No one in the hyundai organization (including the dealership) can tell me when replacement will be.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 48 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 13,000 and 40,000 miles, with the median around 18,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,000; a quarter make it past 40,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Hyundai/Santa Fe.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.