Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% | 43,000 miles |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% | 21,000 miles |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% | 15,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% | — |
| 2020 | 48 | 18% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 12 | 5% | 63,000 miles |
| 2018 | 29 | 9% | 38,000 miles |
| 2017 | 67 | 8% | 33,000 miles |
| 2016 | 31 | 10% | 79,000 miles |
| 2015 | 18 | 7% | 69,000 miles |
| 2014 | 22 | 6% | 55,000 miles |
| 2013 | 57 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 40 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 21 | 5% | 58,000 miles |
| 2010 | 32 | 8% | 51,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 3% | 99,000 miles |
| 2008 | 29 | 9% | 36,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 4% | 76,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% | 46,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% | 33,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 4% | 97,000 miles |
| 2002 | 17 | 5% | 71,000 miles |
| 2001 | 16 | 5% | 27,000 miles |
| 2000 | 22 | 11% | 32,000 miles |
| 1999 | 41 | 32% | 84,000 miles |
| 1998 | 13 | 24% | 73,000 miles |
| 1997 | 31 | 27% | 67,000 miles |
| 1996 | 20 | 20% | 92,000 miles |
| 1995 | 19 | 17% | 103,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving, check engine light illuminated, with a loss of power when accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with power train failure and received diagnostic code P040100. The vehicle was repaired; however, the issue persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer multiple times but still continued The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
Vehicle shut off 8 times on my wife while driving. Check engine light did come on with a warning from the vehicle stating a possible issue with our Engine Control System. Shortly after, while ON the roadway, at about 35-40 mph, the car completely shut off. Luckily my wife was going to a church and the church men were able to push her car safely, with our kids inside, off the roadway and into the parking lot. Hyundai Roadside Assistance was contacted and vehicle was towed to Matt Bowers Hyundai in Gulfport, MS on June 5th. During a 12 day stint at the dealership, it was determined that the problem was caused by the open safety campaign (Bulletin 206) and the EGR Valve Assembly was replaced. We took back delivery of the vehicle June 18th, 13 days after the tow/problem.
I have been encountering a series of troubling and erratic issues with my vehicle. These problems occur under various driving conditions, including acceleration, steady-state driving, and braking. However, the most prevalent and problematic occurrences seem to transpire during acceleration and braking. During acceleration, I've observed inconsistent behavior. Sometimes, the car shifts smoothly, with minimal torque drop between gears. On other occasions, the vehicle accelerates initially but then abruptly loses all power between gears, resembling the sensation of someone engaging the clutch in a manual vehicle and shifting slowly. This results in a temporary power loss lasting 1-2 seconds, followed by an over-revving and clutch slip, leading to an unintended surge in acceleration. …
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH and above, the RPM fluctuated, and the engine revved loudly. The transmission then seized in 5th gear, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the failure recurred while driving at 65-70 MPH with the cruise control activated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound while the transmission was shifted into park (P). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,600.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, she accidentally touched the gear shifter and shifted the vehicle into neutral(N). The contact was unaware that the vehicle had shifted into neutral(N) as the vehicle failed to accelerate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. After experiencing the failure, she tested the gear shifter and discovered that she was able to shift gears functions without depressing the brake pedal. The contact called a dealer and made an appointment to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
I had just drove back home from work and I was driving to pick up my child from his basketball game. I was able to pull out of my driveway and get through two stop signs before I came to a third and needed to make a left hand turn. I stopped and let the cars from the highway pass until it was my turn to go. I was proceeding through the sign and started to turn and in the middle of the turn my vehicle cuts off acceleration and stops moving in the middle of the street and turn. No lights. No warning. Just loses power. I pressed the gas and my rpm's just reved extremely high. I couldn't move out of the middle of the street. I pressed the gas again and the car started moving approximately 5-10 mph. Luckily the car driving by didn't hit me as I was sitting in the middle of the road. …
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The message "Put Car In Neutral And Restart Engine" was displayed. The contact stated that she shifted into neutral (N) and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred persistently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown activator needed to be replaced. The part was replaced. However, the contact stated that days after the repair, the vehicle would not exceed 25 MPH while driving. The contact pulled into a parking lot. The contact stated that a police officer was able to assist her with correcting the issue under the supervision of the dealer who was on the phone. The contact resumed driving and the vehicle responded as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. …
I picked up my Hyundai Elantra n-line today 12/1/22. My car was at the dealership for almost 3 weeks for transmission judder (shudder?) issues and they claim to have fixed the issue with a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) from Hyundai with some snap and cable and additional work that was not disclosed. After picking it up and driving only 3 blocks my car went berserk where all dummy lights went on, the car's engine revved to redline, took off and suddenly the front wheels turned left (due to the avoidance features of the car perhaps) and I was able to pull the emergency break and stop the car. The car stopped luckily and if the e-brake did not work I would have ended up hitting the rear corner of a car and into a house. …
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Pump
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The automatic transmission pressure control solenoid valve seals do not remain sufficiently elastic, resulting in transmission fluid leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pressure control solenoid valve.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Elantra years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (67), 2013 (57), 2020 (48), 1999 (41) and 2012 (40) model years. Transmission complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Elantra transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-526 (pump, Jul 27, 2023); 99V-178 (automatic transmission, Jul 7, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Elantra transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (152 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (19).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.