2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

We have had several transmission issues with this vehicle for over a year. On March 5th we dropped the car off for an oil leak, a malfunctioning middle row seat belt, and an on going transmission clunk and roll. The dealer repaired the oil leak, replaced the seat belt, (damaged the interior of the vehicle while doing so, then denied it) and said they were unable to replicate the transmission problem. The car went back to the dealer again on March 26 for the transmission clunk and roll. They kept it for 8 weeks, and said they couldn’t replicate the issue. I have confirmation that they didn’t even start the vehicle for 4 weeks. We picked up the Vehicle on May 22, and the issue persists. Yesterday, when pulling out of a gas station, the vehicle accelerated on its own until I intervened stepping on the brake pedal. When I typed in the issue to Google, I was made aware that the vehicle now has a front seat belt safety recall from April 6, which the dealer didn’t even advise us on or offer to repair. I am finding out about this on an interstate family drive and we are of course terrified of driving our vehicle now, based on the unintended accessories and now faulty front seat seat belts. I have asked Hyundai serval times for a buy back which they have refused. Corporate has asked us to bring the car back to the dealer this week, and we are about to sign papers with a lemon law lawyer tomorrow. I wanted to at least file this complaint so that it is in writing should something happen to us in our travels this week. This has all been so unacceptable with Hyundai. We bought this car new and it is paid off.

The vehicle has experienced repeated transmission-related failures beginning at approximately 5,000 miles. The dashboard warning “Transmission System Error – Check Transmission Oil Immediately” first appeared while driving and was accompanied by sudden loss of power. When this occurs, the vehicle loses acceleration and drivability while in motion, creating a safety risk in traffic. The only way to temporarily clear the warning is to pull over, shut the vehicle off, and restart it. Photographs of the warning message were documented at approximately 6,738 miles on [XXX] and again at approximately 12,664 miles on [XXX]. The vehicle was returned to the selling dealer in Massachusetts multiple times for the same issue. During the first visit, the dealer drove the vehicle approximately 19 miles but stated they could not duplicate the problem. During the second visit on or about 3/25/2025, the dealer kept the vehicle for approximately six days while providing a loaner vehicle, but again stated they could not duplicate the condition. The vehicle was later inspected by another Hyundai dealer in New Hampshire on 8/19/2025 for the same dashboard warning and loss of power condition while driving. That dealer found the transmission fluid level below specification but stated they could not duplicate the warning message during inspection. Following that visit, the transmission warning did not reappear until [XXX], when the same “Transmission System Error – Check Transmission Oil Immediately” warning returned again while driving. On [XXX], the situation escalated into a possible rollaway event. While at an auto detailing facility, the vehicle was reportedly placed in Park with the engine running after being repositioned. The operator stated the vehicle indicated it was in Park. Moments later, after the operator exited the vehicle, the vehicle moved from its parked position and rolled into a building. The event was documented in writing by the detailing facility. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

3 times now, I am driving and the vehicle goes into limp mode, the "D" on the dash is flashing but the vehicle sends no codes. The tech said the vehicle can immediately delete the code and they can't fix it if they can't duplicate it. It also hesitates when accelerating and is dangerous to myself, my 4 children and anyone driving around me when it goes into limp mode. There is no code, therefore they say they can't do anything about it.

The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned on and shifted into park, the vehicle unexpectedly rolled away with no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then collided with a tree. The contact also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the crash. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was provided. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where full body repairs were completed. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred, and during the second incident the contact’s spouse attempted to stop the vehicle and was almost run over. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was provided. The contact stated that the their arms and fingers are hurting during the failure, The contact stated that the vehicle then collided with an area of the contact’s home. The contact stated their concern that there vehicle is very hazardous and very unsafe and the failure could have been worse for the contact's spouse. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe purchased new in May 2024. On three occasions since December 2025, while driving, the dashboard went completely black as if the vehicle shut off. The Hyundai startup logo then reappeared while the vehicle was still moving, and the vehicle lost acceleration. The most recent event occurred at highway speed, approximately 65-70 mph, requiring us to coast to the shoulder. No warning lights appeared before the event. A video of the most recent incident is available. Dealer inspected vehicle but could not duplicate the problem and reported no error codes.

When making a right turn from a complete stop, the vehicle intermittently exhibits noticeable hesitation and reduced acceleration compared to normal straight-line launches. This has occurred approximately 5–6 times. The delay in power delivery creates an unsafe condition when merging from on-ramps into higher-speed traffic, as the vehicle does not accelerate as expected. This mismatch between expected and actual acceleration can lead to misjudgment of traffic gaps. No warning lights or diagnostic messages have appeared. The issue appears intermittently and specifically during right-turn launches from a stop.

On November 18, 2025, at 24,370 miles, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic powertrain failure, triggering a dashboard warning: "Transmission system error! Check transmission oil immediately." The vehicle suffered a loss of reliable motive power. This sudden failure is a severe safety hazard that presents a high risk of stalling or stranding in active traffic, which is especially dangerous as this vehicle is used for a 40-mile round-trip school commute four days a week on local highways. The dealership replaced the transmission, keeping the vehicle out of service for 27 days. However, the exact same critical failure occurred a second time on December 24, 2025, at 24,878 miles. The vehicle was once again completely incapacitated and required a second transmission replacement as well as a new TCU, resulting in an additional 50 days out of service. Two catastrophic transmission failures within a 500-mile span on a brand new vehicle demonstrate a highly dangerous defect that puts the driver, passengers, and other motorists at unreasonable risk of a crash due to sudden loss of power.

While driving my 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, the vehicle experienced a complete dashboard and system blackout, as if the vehicle shut off and rebooted. This has occurred on two separate occasions. On one occasion, while stopped at a traffic light, the dashboard went completely black and restarted. After the system rebooted, the vehicle would not accelerate or move when the accelerator was pressed. I had to turn the vehicle off, restart it, and wait before it would drive again. The suspected malfunction involves the vehicle’s electrical/infotainment and related vehicle control systems. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the vehicle lost critical dashboard information and temporarily lost the ability to accelerate while in traffic, creating the risk of being struck by other vehicles. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealership (World Hyundai of Matteson). On December 23, 2025, I was informed by the dealer that a system/infotainment “glitch” had been identified and that a replacement part would be ordered. However, the part was never replaced. The dealer later stated that because the issue could not be duplicated during test drives (approximately 85 miles driven), the repair was not authorized. The dealer acknowledged the issue could not be reproduced on demand. The manufacturer (Hyundai) has not yet physically inspected the vehicle beyond dealership involvement. No police or insurance inspections occurred, as there was no crash. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. The failure occurred suddenly with a complete dashboard blackout and system restart. The first occurrence happened prior to December 23, 2025; the second occurred afterward. The issue is intermittent and unresolved. I am concerned that the defect must reoccur while driving in order to be repaired, posing an ongoing safety risk.

I was driving and the car started to loose power and then the engine light came on and the car would not go. Everything happened at one time. The wrecker took the car to the dealer and the dealer confirmed the transmission went out. It is very dangerous for a new car to have the transmission fail while driving. This is a new car. The transmission failed and it is available for inspection at the dealer. The car is currently at the dealer and I am waiting to find out how long it will take to get a new power train.