This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT). The software update revises the touch point learning variation, improving drivability and judder symptoms. Some 8WDCTs (indicated by a new part number) received an updated clutch spring. The correct TCU software update must be matched with the correct corresponding 8WDCT hardware, otherwise, drivability concerns may occur. This service procedure should be performed prior to any 8WDCT replacements done for drivability/judder concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Hyundai Santa Fe powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe have filed 53 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Santa Fe | 9 |
| 2019 Santa Fe | 30 |
| 2020 Santa Fe | 21 |
| 2021 Santa Fe | 50 |
| 2022 Santa Fe (this page) | 53 |
| 2023 Santa Fe | 40 |
| 2024 Santa Fe | 38 |
| 2025 Santa Fe | 14 |
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When does it fail?
Of the 53 powertrain complaints filed for the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Owners have filed 53 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.
Among the 21 model years of Hyundai Santa Fe in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some Santa Cruz (NXT), Santa Fe (TMA, MX5A), and Sonata (DN8A) models may require replacement of the 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT) when the vehicle sets one of the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) DTCs listed below. This bulletin provides instructions to replace the 8WDCT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic transmission may have DTC U028700 (Lost Communication With Trans Fluid Pump Module) set by the transmission Electric Oil Pump (EOP). This DTC can cause the Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system to become inoperative. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the Electric Oil Pump on affected vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain Santa Fe (TMA) and Sonata (DN8/DN8A) vehicles equipped with 8-speed dual clutch transmissions (8DCT) may exhibit one of the DTCs listed below, related to the high pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP). Follow the procedures in this TSB to update the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) to the latest sensorless logic on affected vehicles, and then perform air bleeding and transmission learning.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides the procedure for updating the automatic transmission TCU and ECU software (Santa Fe ONLY) to improve shift quality, judder with ISG enabled and hesitation when accelerating.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe with the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) describe repeated, dangerous failures. The most alarming: complete electrical blackouts where the vehicle shuts down while driving with no warning, leaving drivers unable to shift, brake, or activate hazards—trapped in active traffic. A separate group reports sudden and unpredictable loss of drive power during normal acceleration or highway merges, where the engine revs but wheels don't respond, sometimes self-correcting minutes later without owner action.
Transmission failures are widespread. Multiple owners have had two, three, or even four transmissions replaced under warranty—some at under 55,000 miles—only to experience the same failure again. The trouble code P1C2D03 appears repeatedly; Hyundai's technical service bulletin states it requires transmission replacement. Owners also report gear-shifter lockups that prevent shifting out of park, jerking during gear changes that dealers cannot reproduce, and forward surges while parked.
Engine issues include cylinder misfires in different cylinders weeks apart, fuel-injector failures, and rough running. One safety issue stands out: unintended acceleration when braking or brake-pedal unresponsiveness. Dealerships often attribute problems to driver error or claim inability to recreate faults despite extended test drives and video evidence. NHTSA recall campaign 22V746000 addresses the DCT pump malfunction, but owners report recall parts remained unavailable months after notification, leaving their vehicles unsafe and unrepaired.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Complete power loss / electrical blackout
Vehicle loses all electrical power and shuts down abruptly while driving with no warning—dash lights, infotainment, hazard lights, and emergency brake all fail to respond. Engine cannot be restarted immediately. Repeated occurrences reported.
When: Under 17,000 miles; occurred 4 times over 4 months
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of electrical power while stopped at red light; No dash lights or infotainment display; Unable to activate emergency brake or shift to park; Unable to activate hazard warning flashers; Vehicle stranded in traffic lane
Repairs/costs cited: Jump-started successfully; dealership unable to recreate issue; no diagnostic codes generated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai Customer Service refused to assist due to no diagnostic codes and inability to recreate issue
Transmission control system failure / loss of drive power
8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) loses drive power intermittently during acceleration or cruise, causing vehicle to coast as if in neutral or decelerate unexpectedly. Engine revs but wheels do not respond. Flashing 'D' on dashboard indicates transmission disengagement. Problem occurs at low speeds and highway speeds; sometimes self-corrects without driver intervention.
When: Ranging from 2,000 miles to 98,300 miles; repeated occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission disengages while driving, causing coasting in neutral; Engine revs but vehicle fails to accelerate; Sudden downshift into lower gear; Flashing 'D' indicator on dashboard; Vehicle rolls backward or fails to move forward despite depressed accelerator; Delayed gear engagement; Slipping gears; Loud mechanical noise from transmission; Transmission warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: P1C2D03, Transmission Control System error
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required in multiple cases; some vehicles received 2–4 transmission replacements; software updates attempted but did not resolve underlying issue; dealerships unable to reproduce issue during extended test drives (80+ miles)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V746000 (Powertrain) issued for 2021–2022 Santa Fe related to high-pressure electric oil pump malfunction; Campaign 22V746099 issued; Recall #236 specifically addresses DCT pump failure risk; parts distribution delays reported; TSB for P1C2D03 indicates transmission replacement required; class action lawsuit filed
Transmission oil pump / hydraulic pressure failure
Transmission oil pump or hydraulic pressure system fails, resulting in loss of drive power. Conflicting diagnoses from dealerships documented; some technicians initially identified failed pump, then later claimed fluid was merely low with no actual pump failure.
When: Early in ownership; reported at 3,000–98,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission warning light; Delayed gear engagement; Slipping gears; Loud mechanical noise; Loss of drive power; Unexpected stalling or inability to control vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership technicians reported failed transmission oil pump requiring replacement; later contradicted by same dealership claiming low fluid only; fluid level discrepancy noted; vehicle held at dealership for extended inspection without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai Safety Recall #236 issued specifically for 2021–2022 Santa Fe models addressing high-pressure electric oil pump potential malfunction; corporate case opened but documentation and repair details refused
Unintended acceleration or loss of braking response
Vehicle accelerates suddenly when brake pedal is depressed or fails to respond to brake input, creating collision hazard. Brake pedal appears unresponsive or vehicle accelerates despite braking attempt.
When: Reported incidents from low mileage to early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates when brake pedal is depressed; Repeated tapping of accelerator pedal results in abrupt high-speed acceleration; Brake pedal unresponsive during braking attempt; Vehicle does not stop when brakes applied
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; dealership suspected driver error; owner disputed claim with neighbor video evidence of engine acceleration and collision sound
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership attributed to driver error; no manufacturer response documented
Gear shifter malfunction / stuck in park
Electronic gear shifter becomes inoperable, either failing to shift out of park or refusing to engage intended gear. Dashboard displays 'Shifter Malfunction – Service Immediately' or 'Gear Shift Malfunction' warning. Vehicle may require ignition cycle or brake pedal manipulation to shift.
When: Ranging from 3,000 to 98,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shifter inoperable or requires multiple button presses; Cannot shift from park to drive; Cannot shift from drive to park or reverse; 'Shifter Malfunction' or 'Gear Shift Malfunction' message on dashboard; Vehicle must be turned off and restarted to allow shifting; Emergency parking brake automatically engages when shifter fails
Repairs/costs cited: Open wiring between transaxle, rain switch, and shift control unit replaced in one case; abnormal vibrations remained after repair; transmission replacement recommended but not performed; issue recurred after repair attempt
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V746000 (Powertrain) covers some shifter issues; parts unavailable for extended periods
Engine misfire / cylinder failure
Individual cylinders misfire repeatedly, causing engine to shake, run rough, and lose power. Check engine light illuminates with misfire or air-fuel ratio codes. Multiple cylinders can fail in succession within short time periods.
When: Reported at 46,000–47,300 miles; multiple incidents within weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shaking and rough idle; Inability to pick up speed; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle runs sluggishly
Codes mentioned: P030400 (Cylinder 4 misfire), P030300 (Cylinder 3 misfire), P219CFO (Cylinder 1 air-fuel ratio imbalance), P030100
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder 4 replaced; Cylinder 3 replaced; two fuel injectors, high-pressure fuel pipe, and rail bolts replaced for internal GDI injector leakage; repeated failures in different cylinders within short mileage intervals
Loss of acceleration response / power reduction
Vehicle loses or significantly reduces power during acceleration attempts, failing to respond appropriately to throttle input. Engine remains running but throttle input produces minimal or no forward movement. May occur without warning lights or may follow transmission warning code.
When: Variable; reported under 20,000 miles to 98,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power during acceleration; Vehicle fails to accelerate past 30–40 mph despite full throttle; Engine revs but vehicle does not move forward; Sluggish acceleration; Vehicle stuck in high gear feel; No warning lights in some cases; warning lights in others
Codes mentioned: P1C2D03
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to reproduce during test drives; no immediate repair completed in some cases; transmission replacement recommended for P1C2D03 cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission control system software update attempted; P1C2D03 code requires transmission replacement per TSB
Automatic transmission shudder / jerking during gear engagement
Vehicle shudders, jerks, or 'juts' when shifting gears or engaging transmission, particularly between park and drive or during traffic light starts. Repetitive on/off cycling sound during jerking. Issue persists after multiple dealership visits despite documented video evidence.
When: Reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or juttering when shifting gears; Shuddering during gear engagement; Sounds like vehicle turning on/off repeatedly during jutter event; Inability to move from stuck gear without turning vehicle off and restarting; Occurs after auto-stop when accelerating from traffic light; Vehicle loses control during jutter event
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits; technicians report they cannot reproduce issue; no repairs completed despite video evidence provided by owner
Forward surge in park / transmission surge
Vehicle surges forward while in park gear with no driver input. No fault codes generated. Owner reports fear of potential accident risk, particularly given high number of transmission replacements.
When: Reported after multiple transmission replacements
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle surges forward while in park; No fault codes or error messages present; Occurs without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; vehicle has undergone 4 transmission replacements under warranty (3 refurbished, 1 new) in under 55,000 miles for persistent issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refuses to acknowledge manufacturing defect; issue documented as unique to this manufacturer's DCT platform; owner opened corporate ticket but no resolution offered
Recall parts unavailability / delayed implementation
Vehicle owners received NHTSA Campaign 22V746000 (Powertrain) notification but recall repair parts remain unavailable for extended periods, leaving vehicles unrepaired and owners stranded with unsafe vehicles. Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for parts distribution.
When: Recall issued in 2022; parts still unavailable months later through 2023 and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: No active failure in some cases, but vehicle remains at risk; Owners waiting for recall repair unable to drive vehicle safely
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts on back-order; dealers confirm no parts available; owners told next available appointment months away (e.g., April 2023)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 22V746000 issued; Campaign 22V746099 issued; parts distribution failure; manufacturer delayed repair implementation
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
Three fuel injectors out of four have failed in a year’s time frame. Car shakes, stalls, hesitates, and is dangerous to drive. Waiting for fourth injector to fail.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had…
I was operating the vehicle at a rate of 35-45 mph while getting on a highway ramp. As I merged and attempted to accelerate, the vehicle downshifted into 2nd gear itself and suddenly dropped in speed. This same incident has taken place multiple times in the past two weeks. Today I was able to catch it on video.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that intermittently, the gear shifter was inoperable, and the message "Gear Shift Malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure required that the vehicle be turned, which automatically engaged the parking brake. The contact stated that upon pressing the Start button, and then depressing the brake pedal, the contact was…
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate, as if the transmission was stuck in high gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact believed that the failure was associated with Manufacturer Recall: 236. The vehicle was not yet…
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V746000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the center console electronic gear shifter intermittently failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that she depressed the button on the console several times to shift the…
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon the start of her vehicle while at a gas station, the vehicle initially failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact repeatedly tapped on the accelerator pedal as the vehicle abruptly accelerated at a high rate of speed. The contact immediately depressed the brake pedal before crashing into a…
I have had to have a problem with my power teain worked on at two different Hundia dealership I am having an issue where the horn just stops blowing and that isvery dangerous. After switching off and restarting the horn will work again.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 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?
Based on the 53 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 46,717 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2022/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.