Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
044000704/01/200410006733Damper clutch shudder at 38-42 mph. transmission control module (tcm) reprogramming instructions. *tt05/11/2004
034000605/01/2003024002610002334Ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0741, p0742, p0743, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. *tt08/22/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TSB-09-AT-01307/01/200910030984Hyundai: automatic transaxle range switch diagnostic trouble codes p0705 (range switch signal problems), p0707 (range switch open circuit), and p0708 (range switch short circuit or multiple inputs). an improperly adjusted or improperly op12/29/2009
054000812/01/20050540008110015866Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list. *sc08/15/2005
044000109/01/2005054001410005630Automatic transaxle oil leak between transaxle and transfer case. *tt03/08/2004
13305/01/200310003222Third gear fail-safe information. *tt10/10/2003
034001408/01/2003024000910003044Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1723 accompanied with malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated; transaxle held in 2rd gear fail-safe; harsh shifts into reverse or drive. *tt10/07/2003
034000202/01/200310002072Automatic transaxle final gear whine noise. *tt08/12/2003
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
TSB-09-AT-01810/01/200910032908Hyundai: ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0741, p0742, p0743, p0746, p0748, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. incorrect operation of the transaxle solenoids may result in the following symptoms-check engine light illuminated06/11/2010
043602112/01/200410011796Pcm reprogramming for smoother feeling initial acceleration. *nm01/31/2005
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
064001812/01/200610020912Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) list. *kb01/29/2007
064000403/01/200610019638Oil leak at reduction brake piston cover. *tt04/12/2006
15811/01/200510018734Reprograms are available for automatic transaxle driveability issues. technet times. hyundai. *tt01/12/2006
024002612/01/2002014001010000715Ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0743, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. *tt03/27/2003
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
044001309/01/200410010667Increased clutch durability. *tt12/06/2004
POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
054000102/01/200510015327Transfer case air breather vent hose. *tt07/14/2005

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
10/15/2011107000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. the contact was driving 35 mph when the gear shifter would not move into gear, causing the vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated there were no recalls and any repairs would be at the contact's expense. the failure mileage was 107,000.
10/15/2011107000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. the contact was driving 35 mph when the gear shifter would not move into gear, causing the vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated there were no recalls and any repairs would be at the contact's expense. the failure mileage was 107,000. kmj
10/15/2011107000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated while driving 35 mph the gear shifter would not move into gear causing the vehicle to stall in the middle of traffic. the vehicle was towed home but the dealer was not notified. the manufacturer was notified who stated there are no recalls and will be an out of pocket expense for the owners. the failure mileage was 107,000. mw
08/08/2008410001
 My 2003 hyuandai sante fe stalls anytime the crankshaft position sensor gets hot (at least this is what the service manager [mr. labese] at john amato auto - milwaukee, wisconsin explains). i've had countless close call vehicle accidents and i have taken my vehicle in to be repaired only to have the vehicle stall over and over again even after the part above was replaced. this is very dangerous and very unsafe i have been very lucky to this point! *tr
05/25/20081000001
 Leak in the transfer case. *tr
06/30/2003306/28/2003
 The consumer stated that when he stepped on the pedal to give the vehicle gas to take off, it did not move. the consumer had to apply excessive force to get the vehicle to move. the vehicle had been in the shop 3 times, and the last time the mechanic put in a sensor, but that did not make a difference because the car still was not responding to the pedal. the dealer/mechanic said that there was no way to fix this problem. *ak *scc *jb
06/30/20031300106/28/2003
 When the gas pedal was applied, the vehicle had a delay in accelerating. dealer notified. *ak the dealer stated that the problem was normal. the vehicle did not accelerate normally. the consumer said that other santa fe models had displayed the same problem. *scc *jb
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
07/26/2011120000
 Car jerks violently when at highway speed even though it has new shocks, struts, and front drive axles. the transmission also seems to engage suddenly when moving forward from complete stop. regular maint. and transmission inspection performed.
05/01/200964400
 I purchased a used 2003 hyundai santa fe in december 2008. the vehicle operated well for six months. suddenly, while driving on the freeway one day, the car began to jerk. the problem went away for two months, then returned more violently with the vehicle turning off while at stops and driving in traffic, even at 35 to 40 mph. i noticed the rpm's drop suddenly when the car jerks. however, the check engine light doesn't come on, and neither do any other indicators that something is wrong with the vehicle. i have paid to get the crankshaft sensor and coils repaired on the car, but the problem still persists. after almost three years of having the vehicle, which i am still paying off to the finance company, the car still jerks while driving even at 30 mph within in a 2 mile radius of my home. i have to drive the vehicle slowly, without accelerating and sudden stops to keep the jerking to a minimum. i have called hyundai usa about the problem, but they cannot do anything because i no longer have the warranty, since i am the second owner. the hyundai dealership cannot pinpoint the problem and neither can other mechaninc shops. i am practically paying for a car that doesn't work! i have seen that there are several other owners who have this problem, and have heard that there was a recall in canada about the same issue on the car jerking, but not in the united states. i seriously believe there needs to be a recall for this same problem here in the u.s. before a serious accident occurs, such as with toyota vehicles.
12/18/201066000
 From time to time, my 2003 hyundai santa fe with an automatice transmission jerks violentlly while under normal operating conditions. sometimes this occurs while travelling at a steady speed (around 40 mph) and sometimes it happens just after i resume acceleration after lifting off of the accelerator (coasting). i really have to 'baby' the accelerator all of the time or this would happen much more often. therre is a definite problem here, which could potentially cause harm to myself and others on the road. unfortunately, i know that nothing will ever be done to correct or address this problem.
11/13/201037000
 I have a 2003 hyundai sante fe and i have had continual transmission problems since i bought it in 2004. my first encounter started around 37,000 miles,the vehicle began to slip/hesitate while driving on the road. the dealer couldnt find the problem three seperate times. i tolerated the nuisance for about a yr until one day i was driving and the transmission 'got stuck'! i had to drive home in first gear for 15 miles! the dealer couldnt re-enact it, but definitely charged me $1800 to flush the transmission, amongst various other 'part replacements'. the problem seemed to 'disappear' for about 4 mths and it started again! transmission would jerk, skip and miss no matter what speed i was going, but then idisappear.. it was moody and intermittent, not constant and dangerous. the dealer still couldnt find the problem! then one day i placed the vehicle into reverse and it jerked back hard!! my head was close to hitting the steering wheel. at first i thought the vehicle was struck by another vehicle, but soon realized that it was the transmission because it began to squeel and whine! the serpentine belt and the cranshaft pulley were replaced and the problem seemed to be corrected. just two months later, i was stranded on the highway, again, without any forewarning! i was driving my son to school and all of a sudden, the tranny didnt want to go into gear, again, and it jerked a few seconds after it slipped. i had to creep my way home by driving about 500-750 ft and then the tranny slipped and violently jerked, put vehicle in reverse a few times and then tried again. ever since i began to have these problems when i first bought the car i have been searching online and following the large amount of similar and worse complaints regarding the same problems. i am surprised that this problem has not been addressed and further looked into. please, research this.. please investigate this type of problem, please.
04/23/200928546
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that when the vehicle was parked and he attempted to accelerate, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle lunged forward; the duplicate failure occurred when he shifts to reverse gear. the failure occurred intermittently after the vehicle was parked and then restarted. the dealer stated that the diagnostic test did not indicate any error codes. he called the manufacturer three times and was instructed to take the vehicle to the dealer and if there were no codes, he would have to pay the repair expense. the current mileage was approximately 32,100. the failure mileage was 28,546.
01/08/20091
 I had great difficulty controlling the steering of my car. i took it to the dealer where they said they found nothing wrong. in january of this year during a snow storm i actually ran off the highway and down a slight slope. i then took my car to my repair shop where a corroded and bent training arm was discovered and replaced. i am now in the midst of a rebate from the company as the car was recalled for that particular part. when i took the car to have it checked for this defect i was told that the other trailing arm was not corroded enough to be replaced and that it would be sprayed to protect it from further damage. i am not comfortable at all with this remedy as i am now hearing the same noise from the left side as i heard from the right side when the problem began. why can't the company do the right thing fix these problems so that those of us who drive hyundai products can feel safe. yours truly, marie e. enwright *tr
12/15/2006460001
 Since buying my car used in 2006, my 2003 hyundai santa fe slips out of gear and violently jerks. on the highway it scares one half to death. and i see that there are many other complaints of this problem along with the vehicle stopping altogether. this problem happens so intermittently without an engine check light, that i knew a dealership would not be able to find a problem. now the vehicle won't shift out of first gear. *tr
01/02/2009710001
 My hyundai santa fe 2003, 4 cylinder, 2.4 liter engine stalled 4 times. engine light came on. i took it to service diagnosed with crank precision sensor. no covered under warranty. doing research i found out that the 2001 and 2002 was recalled for this matter. also found out that many 2003's are having the same problem. also i find it disturbing that hyundai wont cover this because it is and electronic part but the engine can just stall at any moment. because it was recalled 2yrs prior should raise a red flag. i will be calling hyundai corp. thank you soraya garcia *tr
08/08/2008410001
 My 2003 hyuandai sante fe stalls anytime the crankshaft position sensor gets hot (at least this is what the service manager [mr. labese] at john amato auto - milwaukee, wisconsin explains). i've had countless close call vehicle accidents and i have taken my vehicle in to be repaired only to have the vehicle stall over and over again even after the part above was replaced. this is very dangerous and very unsafe i have been very lucky to this point! *tr
12/01/20078500030
 I bought a used 2003 hyundai santa fe about two years ago. the vehicle jerks when changing gears, actually lurches forward. i looked online to see if anyone else had this problem and there was a huge list. i think there needs to be a recall done for the transmission. *tr
11/30/200647896608/16/2003
 At approximately 47,000 miles, check engine light came on. in addition, vehicle experienced a sudden occasional jump in idle to 3000 rpm+ while in park and drive after three minutes or so of operation. while in drive, vehicle lunges dangerously forward. when this occurs, ignition is turned off, and restart takes several attempts. after restarting, the vehicle will sputter and refuse to accelerate normally for 30-60 seconds. vehicle also stalls occasionally after 3 minutes or so of use when accelerating from a full stop. vehicle was brought to napelton hyundai, west palm beach, fl on nov 30. crankshaft position sensor and camshaft sensor were replaced. before leaving dealership with service manager present and automatic transmission in park, vehicle idle suddenly spiked to 4,200 rpm. i was told dealer was closed, and to drive it home. on december 5, vehicle again stalled again in traffic at intersection almost causing a collision. after restarting, it refused to accelerate normally for 30-60 seconds. vehicle was towed to back to napelton hyundai because both the stalling and sudden acceleration are serious concerns that make this santa fe unsafe to operate. the service manager agreed fully that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. on dec 20 i was advised that the vehicle was not repaired because attempts to duplicate the problems were unsuccessful. i was told to pick it up and drive it. i refused to do so. napelton had over 20 days to detect and correct these major safety issues, and i will not drive hyundai's failure into an accident. a review of nhtsa defects reported for this santa fe for 2003-2005 model years reveals over 40 similar incidents, some involving collision and injury. these are categorized under several different components including vehicle speed control, electrical system, vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal, other, power train: automatic transmission, and equipment. perhaps the santa fe's can be recalled before deaths result. *nm
11/21/2006970002
 This vehicle (2003 hyundai santa fe) started having transmission problems just be for the warranty expired (100,000 miles), but we were told at the dealer that the warranty did not cover the power train system. so we paid to have some work done. but just today we woke up and went out to use the vehicle, and it will not go in gear, will not in neutral so we can move it or push it. it's just locked up, (fluid leaves are ok) if this were to happen to any one with this kind of vehicle in traffic it could be traffic problem. i do know others who own this kind of vehicle and do not have any problems, but i also know of one individual that has had transmission problems with theirs. so i'm just concerned on if i am the only person with this problem or if their are others, and why if they offer a 100,000 mi. warranty dose it not cover the drive train? this dose not make sense to me. one very unhappy vehicle owner. p.s. this vehicle is registered to my wife, and her llc. *jb
09/09/20061
 My 2003 hyundai santa fe with an automatic transmission, started to shift differently. it would buck when shifting into a higher gear, if i attempted to go up a steep hill, the vehicle would lose all power and the check engine light would come on. i took it to a dealer, they replaced a sensor, said the vehicle would be fine. i drove it home only to have it still shift with a buck. i took the vehicle back to the dealer only to be told, after they kept it overnight, that it would need a $2800 transmission replacement. of course, being a second owner, the warranty ran out at 60k.
05/16/20061
 Grinding sound from transmission of 2003 hyundai sante fe. *jb
02/10/2006255004/08/2003
 On many occasions our 2003 santa fe has a problem with the transmission slipping and then violently jerking or catching back into gear, causing passengers to be slammed forward and backward in the vehicle. this occurs at anywhere from 20-65 mph and happens randomly. has been taken to the dealership on 2 separate occasions with the exact same results - could not duplicate complaint. *jb
07/11/200557000311/08/2002
 My 2003 santafe has an idle problem. it feels like it might stall when i'm sitting at a red light. this happens intermittenly and their is no code in the computer so they say they can't replace any parts. the car has bucked about 5 or 6 times over the last 2 months while i'm driving down the interstate at about 70mph. it's been to the dealer 3 times and they can not find the problem. i'm ready to get rid of the car because of frustration.
02/06/2005330001011/01/2003
 Recently, my 2003 santa fe has had a grinding/whinning/rubbing noise when i take off at low speeds. sounds like might be transmission, wheel bearing or pulley, but not sure. took vehicle to dealship and his analysis was that the noise was coming from the idler pulley. ordered new pulley and will replace when it comes in. this noise would come and go at speeds between 5 - 25 mph and would last for several seconds up to a minute.*ak
02/11/200510002011/01/2003
 On many occasions our 2003 santa fe has a problem with the transmission slipping and then violently jerking or catching back into gear, causing passengers to be slammed forward and backward in the vehicle. this occurs at anywhere from 20-65 mph and happens randomly. has been taken to the dealership on 3 separate occassions with the exact same results - could not duplicate complaint.*ak
02/07/200419000307/17/2003
 A crack in the windshield appeared one day. nothing had hit the windshield. it is a small arc on the drivers side about 3 from the bottom of the windshield. when i brought it to the dealership they said that something hit it and the heat inside the car caused it to crack. the place where they said something hit the windshield only the point of a pin could fit in. i know nothing hit it. one a few occasions i have noticed a grinding sound coming from the transmission. i also have had the abs engage when the breaks were not being applied and the road surface dry. there wasn't a reason for them to engage.*ak
06/21/200365006/20/2003
 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! *nlm
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
1
 Consumer noticed fluid from the vehicle was on the ground, upon inspection of the vehicle, the dealer stated the axle needed to be replaced. *jb
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
08/04/2006580001
 The clutch on my 2003 hyundai santa fe (58,000 miles)went out on the nj turnpike at the start of a week long family vacation. maxon hyundai in union, nj claimed that my driving had burned the clutch out (i have been driving stick for 12 years and my previous car- a saturn- had over 100,000 miles on it and the original clutch when i sold it) and when the clutch went it damaged the fly wheel. they claimed that the fly wheel, though part of the power train supposedly covered under their warranty, was not covered since it was my fault that it was damaged. they further indicated that replacing the clutch and putting the old fly wheel on would just cause me to burn out another clutch leading me to believe that the fly wheel is what caused the clutch to go in the first place. anyway, i did pay for the clutch to be replaced but not the flywheel and then i traded it in on a new saturn vue. i was outraged at the way i was treated by both the dealer and by hyundai corporate when i called them. i would really appreciate any advice you could give me as i got a whole $4,500 for the vehicle that i paid $17,000 for just 3 years ago and this was after i had to pay a repair bill of $1600 and pay $500 for a rental car so that our vacation was not ruined. *nm
04/01/200538000103/31/2003
 Dt*: the contact stated while slowing to a stop at 20 mph the clutch failed making it difficult to change gears. the vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. upon inspection, the transmission fluid was changed, however no additional repairs were made. the manufacturer was not alerted.
01/03/2006103/25/2005
 Bad clutch after 39,000 miles - dealer said not covered and never seen defect in over three years - checked a web site where there were a number of complaints regarding early clutch failures. *nm
02/03/2005280001
 The vehicle was driving on the way home. the following day the vehicle would not go into gear. the clutch is not covered under warranty. *nm
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
04/29/200640789108/01/2003
 I own a 2003 hyundai santa fe. it broke down on april 29th, 2006. my car was brought to fucillo hyundai in schenectady, new york. my car improperly diagnosed here as having a worn clutch. when i declined to have my car fixed at this location and took it to opitz transmission, it was discovered that the flywheel was broken as well. i contacted fuccillo, who declined to have the flywheel fixed under the warranty agreement that came with the purchase of the car. this warranty agreement does not state that the flywheel is not covered. i also contacted hyundai motor america and spoke with two different people. one told me the part was covered under warranty and should be fixed, another told me the part would not be covered. the cost of the flywheel was $1276 plus tax and could only be ordered through a hyundai dealership. i had my car fixed by opitz transmission in schenectady, ny. opitz transmission agrees that the flywheel was poorly made and should have been covered under the warranty. i have contacted the attorney general's office, they forwarded my letter and information to the nys motor vehicle safety division, who in turn told me to contact this web site. i have letters, receipts, and information concerning this matter that i would like to forward to someone in this division. *jb
04/01/2003203/08/2003
 Thr cruise control accelerates the car for no apparent reason. the automatic transmission jerks when shifting dislodging all passangers. the accelerater takes a few moments to get the car going. the problems with the transmission and the cruise control happen at all speeds, weather conditions and road conditions.*ak