Kia Sorento/ Hyundai Santa Fe 2010/2011 Gear Box Issues?

kaushama · February 2, 2011

There are many excellent reviews for HYUNDAI/KIA SUVs (Sorento/SANTA FE)) 2010/2011 internationally. They have become only third manufacturer to design and produce their own transmission which has fewer parts and better FC.

But there are many user reviews and posts about the failures of new transmission. Specially in cold countries.

Sorento issues

SANTA FE issues

Some has even gone to the extent filing Lemon law complaints in US.

Anyone in Sri lanka experienced the same?

Edited February 2, 2011 by kaushama

Supra_Natural · February 2, 2011

There are many excellent reviews for HYUNDAI/KIA SUVs (Sorento/SANTA FE)) 2010/2011 internationally. They have become only third manufacturer to design and produce their own transmission which has fewer parts and better FC.

But there are many user reviews and posts about the failures of new transmission. Specially in cold countries.

Sorento issues

SANTA FE issues

Some has even gone to the extent filing Lemon law complaints in US.

Anyone in Sri lanka experienced the same?

The 2011 Models are relatively recent entrants to the market here and anyway our driving conditions and mileages are nothing like those in the US. So IMO I'm guessing its too early to see if any of these vehicles throw up issues in Sri Lanka. It'll probably take a while longer to start hearing about any incidents.

Worth keeping an eye on though.

kaushama · February 2, 2011

apparently some people have had it just after buying the car and after several replacements of gear boxes. I heard here too some people had issues with Sorento but all hear say stories!

It is pity if this is the case. New Sorento is a real nice ride with real value for money! Nice looks too!

poscher · February 3, 2011

I do not have a 2010/11 Hyundai Santa Fe, but I got a 2008 diesel fully loaded brought down for a transferable permit. I have done 60,000 km now and its safe to say that I have had no trouble with at all. There has not been a single failure in car. All I have done is to service on time through the agent.

It does around 9kmpl in cmb, and around 10kmpl outside. but this really depends on driving habits as I tend to push the car to its limits most days... off road capabilities are fine up till now and haven't been stuck any where, but the slight issue in that is the ground clearance as it stand its only 200mm compared to a prado which is around 220mm..

Performance vise, it can easily take on other Japanese SUVs such as the Toyota Prado or Montero. This Im saying is because I got them in my family and we always race to check which is the fastest..

As the question is about the gears, there is a bit of issue there which let the car down. if you are really hammering down the gear shift in automatic mode is not very smooth and it is out of thoughts as when to shift. so wiser ppl would go on to triptronic shifting which is better, however that too has a considerable large lag time shifting between gears. However neither of these take place if you are driving sticking to road laws though as in low speeds its smooth when using automatic transmission.

Before we brought this many people told us that Korean cars are unreliable, but as usual those toyota freaks are always wrong, my brand new Honda Civic is giving me trouble and not this. ppl also complaints about suspension, and I haven't experienced that either as its extremely comfortable and no noises..

jdnet · February 3, 2011

Some has even gone to the extent filing Lemon law complaints in US.

Machan I wouldn't take all the reviews online too seriously, specially from the U.S. There are way too many idiots that switch gears from drive to reverse before the car stops, thus ruining the tranny. Seen so many cars with blown transmissions because of it. People would rather file a million lawsuits than admit they don't know how to drive a car properly.

kaushama · February 3, 2011

This is what I hear from most people in Sri Lanka. Internationally KIA/Hyundai has won hearts of people and professional reviewers. I am sure they will beat Toyota soon as they did it in other areas like Samsung and LG. There was a period people was not buying their TVs and electronics. Now see where they are!

But this transmission issue with new model has been well documented in many international forums. I do not think we get 7 year and 100000 warranty in Sri Lanka. So if the transmission fails it would be a big loss for the buyer. There is no record that KIA/Hyundai has sorted out the issue as well. It seems to be an issue with either the transmission design or electronics part of it. People who has it reported unpredictable gear shifts with grinding sound and sometimes a bang. Some transmissions have totally failed. Just wanted to check this has happened here. It seems to be have a relationship with cold weather as well.

But most of the people who reviewed the new Sorento and Santa Fe has praised the cars for quality and performance.

kaushama · February 3, 2011

But I have to say the new Sorento is a fantastic vehicle and has majestic looks, resembling a European SUV. It was designed by an EX-Audi designer. It has all the new gimmicks and excellent FC too. Real value for money!

Pericles · February 3, 2011

Well, if the issue is more common in cold countries, then it shouldn't be too much of an issue here.

kaushama · February 3, 2011

Some users in above forums reported issue occurring early morning before the car is warmed up in winter. May be a coincidence!

jdnet · February 4, 2011

May be it's a fluid compatibility issue e.g. using ATF +2 fluid in ATF +3 transmissions. When I say compatibility issue, I mean when the fluid was put in at the factory, they probably didn't design a fluid just for this tranny.

kaushama · February 4, 2011

The tranny is sealed type and fluid can not be replaced! KIA/HYUNDAI says the tranny is guaranteed for the vehicle's life time and 300000 KMs.

new six speed automatic that is shorter, lighter, more efficient and more powerful – whilst having 62 less parts. It’s maintenance free as it’s sealed and filled with transmission fluid that’s good for the life of the vehicle

Edited February 4, 2011 by kaushama

BLu3HaZe · February 4, 2011

So basically they want you to throw the car away, crush it and get a new once the tranny goes bust? Don't think that's gonna work here, when do our people throw anything away.. Will atleast rip out the neighbours tranny and fix it to his own

SeanD · February 5, 2011

I read the US consumeraffairs.com page on Kia, which was very long. And then I decided to try their pages on Nissan, Toyota, and the like. What I found was there were pages that were just as long for those makes - except in the case of Nissan and Toyota, the pages were for a single model (Maxima, Camry) etc. as opposed to all of Kia. Also those were concentrated on a couple of model years, whereas the complaints about Kias stretch back to cars that are 8 or 9 years old (some dude talking about his transmission that failed after 140k miles :rolleyes: etc).

There's lots of cars in the US, a different driving style, and a lot of crappy drivers. I would not worry about it too much and take most of it with a grain of salt - haven't heard it happen in SL as yet, and there's a 100k KM warranty on Sorentos in SL if it does happen.

Edited February 5, 2011 by SeanD

toyota sucks · February 7, 2011

If transmission problems happen how can they give a warranty in any country,

Yet I chose a manual to be on the safe side

Side effects were -Better acceleration

Better economy (14-18kmpl compaired to the shift-tronic's 10-12kmpl)

Better cornering

Developed left quadriceps muscle

rg_lv · February 7, 2011

If transmission problems happen how can they give a warranty in any country,

Yet I chose a manual to be on the safe side

Side effects were -Better acceleration

Better economy (14-18kmpl compaired to the shift-tronic's 10-12kmpl)

Better cornering

Developed left quadriceps muscle

Ha Ha +1

LaZyBoY · February 8, 2011

You can't go to the Hilton if you own a Sorento.. still, small price to pay, right? :lol:

Pericles · February 8, 2011

You can't go to the Hilton if you own a Sorento.. still, small price to pay, right?

Is that coz you'll loose it among the Hilton Fleet? Jeez, the Kia reps here must be very happy with that sale! Probably keep them in milk and cookies for a nice long time.

kaushama · February 8, 2011

Hilton fleet is one reason that makes someone off Sorento! A cab in a five star hotel???! So those reps may regret the big sale in time to come. Santa fe has the same engine/chassis/transmission. But it is an out-going model. Next revision is expected to be out early 2012. Looking at new Tucson we may see a nice futuristic outlook.

I quite agree on manual option. There was a time people chose manual over Auto. I wonder why it has changed? Driving an auto would never give the same driving pleasure and control of a manual vehicle.

Edited February 8, 2011 by kaushama

heavyD · February 8, 2011

Hilton fleet is one reason that makes someone off Sorento! A cab in a five star hotel???! So those reps may regret the big sale in time to come.

I've seen Corollas used by Hotels. But you don't see people being put off by that...

LaZyBoY · February 8, 2011

Is that coz you'll loose it among the Hilton Fleet? Jeez, the Kia reps here must be very happy with that sale! Probably keep them in milk and cookies for a nice long time.

Indeed.. counted no less than a dozen of em there this afternoon :rolleyes:

It's not just coz they're being used as taxis, it's more the risk that if you happen to pull up there in one, an unwitting tourist may climb in the back and ask to be taken to Lakpahana, before you have time to blink.. embarrassing

Still, I doubt there'll be a significant drop in sales, exclusivity has never been a big priority for the average SL car buyer. I would guess there might be more orders for darker shades than light now, though

SeanD · February 8, 2011

Hilton fleet is one reason that makes someone off Sorento! A cab in a five star hotel???! So those reps may regret the big sale in time to come. Santa fe has the same engine/chassis/transmission. But it is an out-going model. Next revision is expected to be out early 2012. Looking at new Tucson we may see a nice futuristic outlook.

I quite agree on manual option. There was a time people chose manual over Auto. I wonder why it has changed? Driving an auto would never give the same driving pleasure and control of a manual vehicle.

That's the first time I saw an endorsement for a Sorento manual. I did test drive one and wasn't at all thrilled, and went for an auto (though I am a die-hard manual fan, some times you got to go with common sense). The manual box on it is generally not rated highly.

MasterDon · February 8, 2011

Me and a couple of Forum members witnessed a new Tuscon doing some laps at the Pannala track recently.I personally was impressed with its pace and there was very little body roll when taking hard corners for a SUV.

OT-IMO those LED "eye lash" head lamps will probably go out of fashion pretty soon.Admittedly yours truly was a big fan when they first appeared on Audi's Nuovolari concept and eventually the R8.But by seeing them on Korean SUVs frequently is fast diminishing their appeal over me.

kaushama · February 9, 2011

That's the first time I saw an endorsement for a Sorento manual. I did test drive one and wasn't at all thrilled, and went for an auto (though I am a die-hard manual fan, some times you got to go with common sense). The manual box on it is generally not rated highly.

Why did not you like the manual? Please tell me the thoughts. I was talking about manual trannys in general. I am looking for a mid sized SUV either 5 or 7 seater.

Yet to test drive a Sorento or Santa fe Manual car. Tuscon and Sorento both has car like handling due to their monocoque construction. I have driven the Sorento and Tuscon both. Both have little body roll but tad firm suspensions for my taste. Other two SUVs I find with same ride quality are X-Trail and CR-V. CR-V is more refined though. Only issue is Sorento, CR-V and Tucson are real soft roaders. CUVs! X-trail is a real off-roader with car like handling. But even the face lifted new version retains BOXY, out dated look. Mid sized SUV offerings from Toyota and Mitsubishi share the ladder on frame design and with serious off road ability and Thai made. They probably give some rough ride quality and body roll. Montero Sport and Toyota Fortuner. I have to test drive them.

Out of them Sorento is the one that really gives value for money, looks and nice performance! Second is X-trail for its over all qualities.

Edited February 9, 2011 by kaushama