2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: Power Train complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe that list the power train component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11761774 (filed 09/02/2026): “Hyundai motor america & wallace hyundai of stuartvehicle: 2020 hyundai santa fe (2.4l theta ii gdi engine)vin: 5nms23ad5lh181669incident mileage: 181,000 mihyundai case number: 42981944section 1: catastrophic interstate safety incidenton july 16, 2026, while navigating heavy, high-speed traffic on i…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11760974 (filed 08/31/2026): “My car is consuming an immense amount of oil, the manufacturer recommends oil changes every 7,500 miles, i get an oil change less than 3,000 miles and on my last oil change i was told that there are oil shavings in my oil filter. i just got the sc9c2 update and now my engine is knocking. car drives …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11756514 (filed 08/12/2026): “The contact owns a 2020 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. the contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward. in addition, the vehicle almost stalled. no warning…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
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Sources
Page last updated .