2004 4-cyl trans issue

We purchased a 2004 Santa Fe 4 Cylinder about four months ago. Two weeks ago it started to develop what I feel may be a transmission problem. When you put the car in gear it takes anywhere from 5-10 seconds for it to engage. It also does this when you come to a stop and then start up again.

We took it in to the dealer who has had it a week and now informs us that according to the factory this is common on all 4 cylinders and we just have to live with it.

Has anyone else had or have this problem with their 4 cylinder Santa Fe?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

So let’s see my wife said there was a problem, I drove the car and said there was a problem, the service writer drove the car and said there was a problem, the dealer technician drove the car and said there was a problem and now after ten days the factory representative finally comes out and drives the car and happily informs us that “there is a problem” and the car needs a new transmission.

“Bitter party of one”

This is my first Hyundai, and since it is only 4 months old with less then 2,500 miles on it and the poor service that I have received from the dealer/manufacturer I am pretty sure it will be my last.

I understand that things do go wrong with new equipment and I can accept that, however I still believe in the old school of thought that the customer is right and most of all you don’t tell the customer that they don’t know what they are talking about and you definitely don’t imply that the customer is lying.

Okay, Rant off, thanks for listening

Damn, between the problems with your Santa Fe and your Windstar, I'm surprised that you are taking it so well. Luck for you your Aerostar doesn't have any problems. Oh well, what can I say, there are times that a faulty or lemon vehicle comes off the assembly line. You it seems got that the one with a bad transmission. The problem you describe is what is called the tranny bump problem or Automatic Transaxle Harsh and / or Delayed Shifts TSB# 02-40-019 (http://www.hmaservice.com/webtech/iindex.asp?id=394885731#_394885731)to be precise. The tsb is on the Hyundai webtech site that explains this and numerous owners feel that its took much of a jerk so Hyundai has issued a fix for it. If the delay is more than usual either the TCM is replaced or the transaxle is replaced.

As for the dealership to say to you that this happens alot and for you to live with it, is just plain wrong. There are a few dealership/service techs that need to get retrained in customer service relations in my opinion, but that is not to say its an indication system wide or of the company itself. I myself would look at the tsb and any others on the site and bring it to their attention as well as to the factory representative. Telling them that they have just lost a future buyer will at times snap them back to doing the right thing.

Good luck on the vehicle and keep us posted on the outcome.

TS out