2008 Santa Fe abrupt 2nd to 3rd cold shift?

19 messages, Last post on Oct 28, 2009 at 4:13 PM

You are in the Hyundai Santa Fe Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Santa Fe, Transmission, SUV

Outline

Messages Page 3 of 3: 1; 2; 3; Prev; Next; Last

#18 of 19 Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [dannyd3] by paulnz Oct 28, 2009 (3:55 pm)
Replying to: dannyd3 (Oct 28, 2009 3:18 pm) Danny, I have meant to post again about the problem (I am the person that started this thread). My 2008 Santa Fe Limited 3.3L AWD still has the "problem". I still don't like it, but have learned to live with it. I did find that the threshold temperature at which it will shift hard on that first 2nd to 3rd shift is 65 degrees F. Below that temp it does it once or twice but above that temp it shifts fine. I like the car in all other respects - it is definitely the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. I could probably keep at the dealer and get them to replace the trans, but having 18,000 miles on it now, I don't think the trans is 'defective' but rather it is just the way it behaves when cold (built-in behavior, unfortunately). Of course that does not explain at all why most owners (at least on the forums) have never reported any problem of this type while a few of us have. My experience has been that it is extremely consistent and predictable behavior. If it were otherwise, I would have already pushed for a new trans. I am also afraid if I were to have them change the trans that I would end up with a lot more problems than just an abrupt shift when cold. That still does not make it 'right' that the trans acts like that - some engineer or engineers at Hyundai were asleep at the wheel on this one, IMO. I am still very disappointed at the cold shifting, but I decided it is not something that I am going to dwell on, and instead enjoy all the other great aspects of the vehicle. If, however, it ever gets worse or acts strangely in any other way, I will be exercising that warranty that Hyundai brags so much about. Replies to this message: dannyd3 (Oct 28, 2009 4:13 pm)
#19 of 19 Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [paulnz] by dannyd3 Oct 28, 2009 (4:13 pm)
Replying to: paulnz (Oct 28, 2009 3:55 pm) Thanks for getting back to me right away. I have owned hyundai's since 1995 accent, 2000 sonata, 2002 bought elantra and santa fe, now 2009 santa fe again because I have never had any problem and I have been so impressed with the way the turned this company around building a quality product now. It just bugs me that not all Santa fe's have the problem. Some friends own new ones as well and they haven't had this issue. I live in Canada and it gets pretty cold here, and apparently gets worse with cold. I to have concerns with changing the trans for fear of anything else happening but at the same time worry what damage can be caused by this shift. We will see what my dealer wants to do and I will keep you posted

#18 of 19: Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [dannyd3] by paulnz; Oct 28, 2009 (3:55 pm)

Replying to: dannyd3 (Oct 28, 2009 3:18 pm)

Danny, I have meant to post again about the problem (I am the person that started this thread). My 2008 Santa Fe Limited 3.3L AWD still has the "problem". I still don't like it, but have learned to live with it. I did find that the threshold temperature at which it will shift hard on that first 2nd to 3rd shift is 65 degrees F. Below that temp it does it once or twice but above that temp it shifts fine.

I like the car in all other respects - it is definitely the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. I could probably keep at the dealer and get them to replace the trans, but having 18,000 miles on it now, I don't think the trans is 'defective' but rather it is just the way it behaves when cold (built-in behavior, unfortunately). Of course that does not explain at all why most owners (at least on the forums) have never reported any problem of this type while a few of us have. My experience has been that it is extremely consistent and predictable behavior. If it were otherwise, I would have already pushed for a new trans. I am also afraid if I were to have them change the trans that I would end up with a lot more problems than just an abrupt shift when cold.

That still does not make it 'right' that the trans acts like that - some engineer or engineers at Hyundai were asleep at the wheel on this one, IMO. I am still very disappointed at the cold shifting, but I decided it is not something that I am going to dwell on, and instead enjoy all the other great aspects of the vehicle. If, however, it ever gets worse or acts strangely in any other way, I will be exercising that warranty that Hyundai brags so much about.

dannyd3 (Oct 28, 2009 4:13 pm)

#19 of 19: Re: 2009 abrupt 2nd to 3rd shift.. [paulnz] by dannyd3; Oct 28, 2009 (4:13 pm)

Replying to: paulnz (Oct 28, 2009 3:55 pm)

Thanks for getting back to me right away. I have owned hyundai's since 1995 accent, 2000 sonata, 2002 bought elantra and santa fe, now 2009 santa fe again because I have never had any problem and I have been so impressed with the way the turned this company around building a quality product now.

It just bugs me that not all Santa fe's have the problem. Some friends own new ones as well and they haven't had this issue. I live in Canada and it gets pretty cold here, and apparently gets worse with cold.

I to have concerns with changing the trans for fear of anything else happening but at the same time worry what damage can be caused by this shift.

We will see what my dealer wants to do and I will keep you posted