A month ago I would have said yes but the number of transmission complaints now makes me say no and I am one of the biggest Hyundai fans out there. I would not buy a 2010 Santa Fe; a 2009? Absolutely. But not a 2010.

 

I wouldn't buy one right now. Not till the transmission horror stories are put to rest.

 

Why advise him not to get one when he say's he wants to get a 4 cyl which from what I understand has had no problems with the transmission that selection comes with?

Am I missing some key info here?

Mike

 

Absolutely no way would I buy this vehicle with a 4 cylinder, ever. I don't care how 'peppy' they claim it to be.

 

QUOTE (pen411 @ Aug 4 2010, 10:26 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=347064

Absolutely no way would I buy this vehicle with a 4 cylinder, ever. I don't care how 'peppy' they claim it to be.

The 6 cyl is the main reason I switched from a Honda CRV purchase over to the Santa Fe. The Honda's only come with 4 cyl and no way was I going to buy one with that. With a 6 cyl and I likely would have gone with the CRV (even though I like the Santa Fe interior MUCH better).

Mike

 

QUOTE (DuckSoup @ Aug 4 2010, 11:14 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=347075

The 6 cyl is the main reason I switched from a Honda CRV purchase over to the Santa Fe. The Honda's only come with 4 cyl and no way was I going to buy one with that. With a 6 cyl and I likely would have gone with the CRV (even though I like the Santa Fe interior MUCH better).

Mike

I wanted to buy a v8 4runner in a couple of years until I found out they swapped out the v8 for a 4cyl :-O

 

Can someone confirmed that the auto transmission is a V6 problem and not the 4 cylinder? We're thinking of getting this car for our folks on daily commute so don't really need the V6 power. If the 4 cylinder has been the same one in past years and has had no problems that would help us make our purchase decision. But from what I understood, isn't the 4 cylinder is also a 6 speed auto type of transmission? Which one is new and which one isn't? Im a bit confused. Thanks.

 

QUOTE (becool @ Aug 4 2010, 11:42 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=347079

Can someone confirmed that the auto transmission is a V6 problem and not the 4 cylinder? We're thinking of getting this car for our folks on daily commute so don't really need the V6 power. If the 4 cylinder has been the same one in past years and has had no problems that would help us make our purchase decision. But from what I understood, isn't the 4 cylinder is also a 6 speed auto type of transmission? Which one is new and which one isn't? Im a bit confused. Thanks.

Can't confirm your question but if you are settling for a 4 cylinder for your folks, why not strongly consider the Honda CR-V? About the same price and much better reliability thru the years and I imagine a better re-sale value. Not quite as nice of an interior in my opinion, but it's what I'd do if buying such a type vehicle for my parents.

Mike

 

The transmission is the same regardless of which engine you choose and I have heard of the slip-bang problem from both sides.

 

QUOTE (lovemysantafe @ Aug 4 2010, 02:42 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=347122

The transmission is the same regardless of which engine you choose and I have heard of the slip-bang problem from both sides.

One case I personally know about is that their 4 cyl is in the shop right now for a 3rd tranny. Bummer. Luckily they have a good dealer. No sympathy from corporate.

As I said before, I'd stay away from the 2010's until this issue gets resolved.

 

Thanks guys for your help. It's a shame that Santa Fe is what we're looking for but the transmission problem is a major setback. It's a practical SUV with useful features and we really liked it. I think Hyundai will come out with a solution but it's probably not anytime soon. Looks like we are going for the CRV.

 

Please do write Hyundai corporate a letter explaining that you liked the SF but why you chose to go with the Honda instead. Hopefully that will put fuel on the fire to get them to fix this problem, pronto!

I've driven the CR-V and they are a very nice car. Best of luck with it!

 

Yes I will want to write that letter. Although I don't have a Hyundai, I'm still disappointed/mad because I couldn't get it because of the problems. I want to pass the message to them, more people more power!

 

I had my 2010 SF Sport, purchased April 7, 2010 in for it's second oil/filter/rotation today at 18,000 kms.
I asked the service manager if they had had any transmission issues from this dealer. (The SF is a VERY popular vehicle here).
He said they had around 3 come in due to rough shift from gear 1 to 2. He said the fix is to reset the adaptive learning program and the customers never had an issue afterward.
He said if it wasn't for regular service, they wouldn't be seeing the vehicles back in the shop once sold. VERY few issues.

I certainly have empathy for those experiencing tranny issues and I can say with certainty I would be livid if I was amongst them. But personally I am VERY happy with my purchase (fingers crossed that doesn't change).

 

I drove a 4 banger the other day and I was actually scared to drive it. Our dealer is 2 miles from where our detail shop is. I drove it down the road and it was shifting like crazy and at one point revved by itself up to 4,000 rpm. It did not feel safe and I told them about it.

 

Hi Y'all -

I'm currently researching the Santa Fe's (second choice Tuscon) to replace my '06 Toyota RAV4 Ltd V6. I seriously like the SE FWD V6, and test drove a 2010 and was very impressed.........nice package at a reasonable price for the features. If I pull the trigger on this model, I'll wait for the 2011's to arrive this fall, hopefully Hyundai will have worked out some of the bugs in the 2010 model year changeover.

The reason I'm leaning towards Hyundai is the warranty - being a low mileage driver, the 10 yr drive train warranty really appeals to me, as I usually replace my vehicles when the power train warranty expires within five years (for most manufacturers). Another reason is that Hyu reliability and demand have improved in recent years from what I've read and heard.

My question is - How stringent is Hyundai on having the recommended maintenance done and recorded by a Hyundai dealer to uphold the warranty? I'm a DIY guy, do all my own oil changes and minor maintenance myself, and don't believe in going to a dealer every 5K miles for a glorified oil change with a 15 point check that I can do myself. Have read on other forums that Hyundai will do whatever they can to disqualify a warranty claim due to owner's failure to adhere to the maintenance schedule which in fact can be different from dealership to dealership.

This can definitely be a deal breaker for me if I find it's true. Another area of concern is the new 6 speed auto tranny problems I keep reading about.......is there a fix in the works?

Would really love to be proud Santa Fe owner, but.............need to hear some qualified answers on these issues.

Thanks

 

I'm in the same boat and really love the Santa fe. To me, Santa Fe is practical and useful and that = Value. But I don't want to depend on its warranty and certainly don't want to make multiple trips to dealer to take care of problems such as the transmission issues now. The warranty sounds good but that's where they get you, problems down the road and a fix is not guarantee. Just like inkjet printers, they are cheap but the inks get you. I have a Mazda 1991 and its still going great and all i did were oil changes and minor repairs that weren't under warranty. They can make great durable cars that last a long time and I see no reasons why not with today's technology. It's a shame that performance has improved but quality never kept up. It seems to me that the transmission issues are like a timing bomb for people who are fine now but this thought in mind is like...oh well...I love you but I can't.

 

I just had my santa fe 2010 transmission replaced. I would never buy this car again!!!!!! Go with a honda instead, pilot or crv. I did ask the hyundai rep about upholding the warrenty and what one has to do to make sure it is valid and he said you need to have all the services done at a dealer and you need to keep all your receipts and mark in your book your services. If there is a problem he will ask for all the receipts and your service book and if you have done everything and can provide proof it will be easier for him to ok the warrenty. He did say you should go to a dealer to have the work done so he knows the reputation.

 

I don't remember the name of the law, but federal regulations prohibit manufacturers from requiring that a. Service be done at their dealer and b. Requiring you to use a specific brand as long as it meets mfg specs

So hyundai, by law, cannot require you to have regular maint perform at their dealership, using hyundai branded products in order to keep the warranty in effect.

 

QUOTE (kkellycoco @ Aug 6 2010, 03:29 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=347625

I just had my santa fe 2010 transmission replaced. I would never buy this car again!!!!!! Go with a honda instead, pilot or crv. I did ask the hyundai rep about upholding the warrenty and what one has to do to make sure it is valid and he said you need to have all the services done at a dealer and you need to keep all your receipts and mark in your book your services. If there is a problem he will ask for all the receipts and your service book and if you have done everything and can provide proof it will be easier for him to ok the warrenty. He did say you should go to a dealer to have the work done so he knows the reputation.

If that's the case, apparently the Santa Fe or any other Hyundai is not for me..........I'll be damned if I'm gonna tie up my vehicle at a dealership for an oil change, tire rotation or doing a ?????mile check on the brake lines, rotors, coolant check etc. that I can do myself, just to keep the warranty valid. Sure, there's certain maintenance/repair items I would visit a dealer's service dept for rather than try to tackle myself or have my independent neighborhood mechanic do, but those are few & far between. The recommended "XXXXX mileage service" offered by most dealerships are just a ploy to get into your pockets, and in most cases are just an overly expensive oil change.

Doesn't sound like the 5 yr/50K bumper to bumper and 100k drive train warranties are very appealing to me after all, hearing this from a distraught owner...........

Too bad, the 2010 Santa Fe seemed like a nice ride at a fair MSRP, but there are too many others from Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru to chose from that have proven their reliability over the years.

 

An interesting thread. Question for you all though. Is this tranny issue specific to geographic location. I'm not sure if this is a primarily a US or Canadian based forum, guessing US though, in which case, do we have reports of Canadian cars with the issue?

The 2010 SF is very high on the list of new cars I am looking to buy (specifically v6 GL AWD) and getting one and finding an issue as serious as the tranny is worrying and having to get it replaced until a "good" one is found would be both time consuming and not cost effective, one presumes it'd be covered under the standard warranty, let alone any extended warranty?

It does make me wonder if going for the 2010 is a wise move. I shall ask the dealer about transmission problems, we'll see if they a) know, B) want to tell a prospective client about it.

2011's are meant to appear in november and from what I gather no major differences are due, that'll come with MY2012, which looks like it'll be the 3rd gen SF. In this case, the 2011's might or might not have the problem addressed, hard to say for sure I know.

Part of me thinks; "Sod it, go get one!" I'm not a shy person and will shout from the rooftops if I get issues and the dealer isn't playing ball.

 

My 2010 Limited AWD V6 is currently performing well at about 2000 miles. I asked the dealer near where I live about the transmission problems (after I purchased). He said the problems that he saw were due to not enough transmission fluid when shipping from the factory. That would explain the first repair to a transmission but wouldn't explain the 2nd or 3rd transmission replacement that some people have had.

 

QUOTE (JohnOregon @ Aug 15 2010, 12:12 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=349501

My 2010 Limited AWD V6 is currently performing well at about 2000 miles. I asked the dealer near where I live about the transmission problems (after I purchased). He said the problems that he saw were due to not enough transmission fluid when shipping from the factory. That would explain the first repair to a transmission but wouldn't explain the 2nd or 3rd transmission replacement that some people have had.

Surprised he didn't add... "and too much air in the tires"

 

QUOTE (JohnOregon @ Aug 15 2010, 09:12 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=349501

My 2010 Limited AWD V6 is currently performing well at about 2000 miles. I asked the dealer near where I live about the transmission problems (after I purchased). He said the problems that he saw were due to not enough transmission fluid when shipping from the factory. That would explain the first repair to a transmission but wouldn't explain the 2nd or 3rd transmission replacement that some people have had.

Which dealer did you go to?

 

I think I got a pretty good deal from the Gresham dealership, where I purchased the Santa Fe from, but live in Beaverton. I got the information about the transmission fluid from the Beaverton Hyundai dealership.