Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 18% | 38,000 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% | 17,000 miles |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% | 0 miles |
| 2022 | 24 | 26% | 15,000 miles |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% | 28,000 miles |
| 2020 | 24 | 13% | 19,000 miles |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% | — |
| 2018 | 40 | 11% | 48,000 miles |
| 2017 | 56 | 7% | 43,000 miles |
| 2016 | 59 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 55 | 7% | 51,000 miles |
| 2013 | 94 | 5% | 58,000 miles |
| 2012 | 97 | 6% | 86,000 miles |
| 2011 | 173 | 5% | 49,000 miles |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2009 | 41 | 9% | 40,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% | 62,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% | 78,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% | 9,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% | 72,000 miles |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% | 72,000 miles |
| 1999 | 17 | 10% | 90,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 24% | 42,000 miles |
| 1997 | 9 | 18% | 72,000 miles |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% | — |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% | 142,000 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 stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. In addition, the contact stated that on multiple occasions while turning into a parking lot, the vehicle's collision avoidance system would engage while in the vicinity of another vehicle as a warning chime would emit from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they initially could not diagnose or duplicate the failure. The contact was asked to come and drive the vehicle herself and she was able to duplicate the failure. The dealer eventually diagnosed the vehicle with a failed transmission and remained in the dealer's possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was later informed that they would not replace the vehicle but would replace the transmission. …
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while the accelerator was depressed, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and failed to accelerate as intended. The failure occurred while driving from a stop and while driving at various speeds, causing the vehicle to decelerate during the failure. While depressing the brake pedal, there was a rubbing or grinding coming from the vehicle, and the braking was rough. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Vehicle suddenly accelerated after pulling out of store parking lot at low speed into side street behind vehicle stopped at light (less than a car length in front) while pressing hard on brake. Vehicle lurched forward incrementally during the braking process, but vehicle kept accelerating causing vehicle to hit stopped vehicle numerous times before vehicle engine was finally turned off. Driver of both vehicles could have been seriously hurt. Vehicle was driven home after this incident without incident but has only been driven out of garage and onto and off towing truck. Car has not been inspected except for damage to vehicle and is currently awaiting insurance rep inspection at vehicle repair facility. Once damage is repaired car will be towed to dealership for inspection. Because of the short distance vehicle traveled no warning lamps/messages were noted.
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate to overtake another vehicle at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH instead. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes, before restarting and continuing to drive. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure had occurred three times. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed that the transfer case had failed and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,500.
Car was parked, full stop, doors shut, seatbelt on. Foot on brake. Car then seemed to lurch forward by itself forward hitting parking cement block. Put in reverse to back away and car stayed still...then I tapped the gas again to back up and insted vehicle plowed forward.instead.of reverse ...went over the parking block and hit concrete beam in front, when the car should have backed up in reverse. I'm a person who drives speeed limits, and ulta careful when i drive, and parked at this place/spot for years. This has never happened not sure why it did. No injuries or other people involved thank god, but scared the heck out of me. Wracking my brain, my recalls and software and service appts are up ro date.Nothing out of ordinary that day. I'm confused and shaken, why the first lurch forward and why did going in reverse move it forward? ugh. It drove home fine. …
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into neutral(N) and failed to shift into park or drive on three occasions. The vehicle was restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was shifted into drive, and the contact continued driving. The message that the vehicle could not be shifted into other gears was displayed. The vehicle was originally purchased in another state. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the battery and fuel injector pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH down her driveway, the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact stated that the vehicle began to shut down. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated with DTC P020200 flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where the dealer reset the computer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred and the vehicle shut down and was towed back to the same dealer. The contact was informed that the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and was returned to the contact. The failure recurred; however, the contact had not returned the vehicle to the dealer yet. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
I was driving down the street and I hit a car because I felt that I lost the control of the car momentarily and it happened as it is described on this recall - 22V746000: The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power. As a result the car crashed into another vehicle. Have the car since 24th of March. Have been feeling at times that I fight to be the driver with the car. Spoke to friends about the issue and they were concerned about that too.
Related recalls (4)
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
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 1.6 liter model year 2015 Sonata vehicles manufactured August 29, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect left axle shaft which may result in the shaft separating from the transaxle differential.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, dealers will inspect and replace the axle shaft, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 126.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Sonata years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (173), 2015 (135), 2012 (97), 2013 (94) and 2016 (59) model years. Transmission complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Sonata transmission problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 23V-526 (pump, Jul 27, 2023); 22V-746 (automatic transmission, Oct 6, 2022); 14V-784 (axle shaft, Dec 9, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Sonata transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (124 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (11).
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.