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Chart based on 130 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
Transmission was replaced after fighting with Hyundai for 7 months and 15,000 miles and many repairs to try fixing the problem. Some of the issues still are there and eventually will damage this transmission again. Hyundai refuses to find or fix issues unless there is a code in the system or check engine light is on.
transmission shift down to 1st gear real hard...dealer hooked the car up and did a software update ...took 30 min. and everything is ok
63000 mi
CV joint repair
Shift shock when coming to a stop. Transmission computer reset and problem resolved.
7800 mi
Shift shock again when stopping. Reset shift parameters and resolved problem.
32000 mi
Occasional power loss while accelerating. Engine stumbles and looses power. Happened 4 times so far over the past 5 months. Unable to be diagnosed, as no check "engine light" Shift shock recurring when coming to a stop. Reset AT parameters. Resolved issue until it returns. No check engine light.
Transmission shifting hard. They reset the driving mode of the computer, which didn't fix the issue. I then received a check engine light and a Blue Link notification. Called them and they diagnosed a Temperature Sensor issue.
39000 mi
Transmission was shifting very harsh with delayed up shifts. There was also a check engine light present. Dealer reflashed the computer. Problem resolved for a few weeks and has since returned.
75000 mi
Transmission holding gears longer than normal when car is cold. Dealer flushed fluid and updates to software completed.
31000 mi
The transmission began having problems shifting and a warning light on the dash illuminated. A faulty transmission temperature sensor was replaced.
I notice difficulty starting car. The check engine light came on and it felt very underpowered while I was driving. I had it towed to the dealership and they said that the high pressure fuel pump failed. It was covered under my powertrain warranty.
6000 mi
Transmission would flutter about on the highway.
1000 mi
Transmission lost fluid and slipping. Car would not drive.
4000 mi
Whining noise from transmission under light acceleration at low speeds of 25 to 35 mph.
Got a P0713 engine code: a thermo sensor was malfunctioned that causes the car to jerk and could decrease transmision performance and eventually could destroy the transmission if this problem prolong. Transmission thermo sensor and rubber seal got replaced.
4700 mi
Vehicle downshifts while coasting at 38 mph and 22 mph. Reported to service writer. Dealer reprogrammed computer. Still downshifting. Will require another appointment and visit
109000 mi
US $800
Left front axle replaced due to torn CV boot. Front end Alignment
Start button intermittent. Problem corrected, when they did the recall for shifter cable. Switch was damaged and was intermittent... Had shifter position sensor replaced and now ok.
29000 mi
I was having problems with the automatic transmission--late shifts, inconsistent, struggling to find a gear. I took it for service and they "re-learned the transmission adaptive learning" (their words, not mine) and the problem seemed to go away.
34080 mi
Defective transmission pan sensor and harness.It required two separate trips to get all the parts replaced. Covered by warranty.
4900 mi
Rough shifts. Transmission temperature range sensor replaced
63000 mi
This was to repair a known manufacturer defect in the drivetrain where the transmission slips out of gear and/or will not shift into gear. This was fixed under warranty by the dealer.
Vibration at slow speeds. I am giving up on this problem because the dealer refuses to fix it. This will be my first and last Hyundai
20000 mi
After all the bad press about the engine design problems with the 2011-2013 Sonata 4 cylinder engine I decided to trade it in for a Honda CR-V. No more Hyundais for me. The dealer never really came clean with the vibration problem.
Check Engine Light On - Replaced transmission temperature sensor
89000 mi
US $890
Temperature Sensor had to be replaced inside the transmission
60 mi
Engine started stalling. Dealership thought it may have been a fuel contamination or bad spark plugs; upon disassembling the engine it was found to have a broken/melted exhaust valve in cylinder #2.
Transmission slipped after initial take off loud bump, bang into next gear, let off pedal let it coast, pressed pedal rpms raced to 5k released tranny stuck in 4th gear limped to dealer. New Transmission ordered. transmission sliped after initial take off loud bump, bang into next gear, let off pedal let it coast, pressed pedal rpms raced to 5k released tranny stuck in 4th gear limped to dealer no word on repair yet
39060 mi
Transmission sometimes failed to shift out of park. Inhibit switch replaced umder warranty.
Popping noise. New drive shaft installed under warrantee
120000 mi
US $200
Vehicle lurches
47000 mi
Transmission shifter fails to engage car into gear. Have had this problem since car was new...dealer has not fixed after repeated visits. This was attempt #4 for them to try to figure it out AGAIN.
defective transmission switch not covered by 10yr 100k warranty
83700 mi
US $450
Both CV joints bad.
90000 mi
US $600
Ripped cv joint boot. New driveshaft
97000 mi
US $750
CV-Axle boot was leaking.
61000 mi
US $257
Transmission wouldn't shift correctly. The EL001 "Transmission Range Switch" (sensor)replaced for $257. Sensor
47120 mi
Squeaking sound coming from rear passenger side tire.
33000 mi
US $125
Heard a loud bang while turning left at approx 40 mph, car jerked real hard. There was also an electrical burn smell inside the vehicle as a result of the incident.
102000 mi
US $165
Problem when shifting...sensor went bad.
42728 mi
Car would not start. Towed to the dealer. Plastic fork part on the starter broke. It was replaced under warranty.
116000 mi
US $200
Bill Bryan Kia of Leesburg,Fl put per invoice incorrect type transmission fluid in car. The work order states put SP111 when requires SP4 type per Hyundai. Now it's for 2 months been jerking into gear and slipping. They claim the type shown printed on invoice of SP111 isn't the type actually used?
They refuse to change it to SP4 & transmission is failing.
47200 mi
recall done on the shifter sensor. Shifter failed to recognize that the care was in Park.
53000 mi
No start, battery ok, no gear indicator on dash, rough shift from park to R or D. Faulty Trans Range Switch replaced. Transmission feels smoother now.
65000 mi
Same issue as what happened before with rough shifting and gear indicator on dash going blank. First time they thought a recent transmission recall would fix it. It didn't and they replaced TRS one one more time under extended warranty.
32240 mi
A/T temperature sensor shows cold transmission. Service bulletin put out by Hyundai on this problem. Result was rough shifts occasionally and check engine light on at higher altitudes (5,000 ft +).
52080 mi
transmission sensor
27000 mi
Leaking trans with fluid on TOP of the transmission case. "Cleaned" and put dye in. Wait for new leak (which by the way has shown up again).
32000 mi
Leaking breather bolt. Could not fix bolt/bolt hole. Replaced entire transmission with reman.
1400 mi
Replaced 2 silemoids - no 5th or 6th gear. While driving @ 50 mph, felt like I hit cinder block. Car stuck in 4th gear.
2700 mi
Replaced transmission - pulling out total melt down with transmission. Stuck in 4th gear RPM's @ 5K. All with my 5 year old with me on major road - not good. Replaced transmission - pulling out total melt down with transmission. Stuck in 4th gear RPM's @ 5K. All with my 5 year old with me on major road - not good.
49300 mi
Recall work done under warranty - can't remember the tsb. Something with a sensor. Occasional hard shifts. Now have them a lot less frequently, but still sometimes. Now so infrequent that dealer probably won't replicate.
8000 mi
Passenger Door has tinny hollow sound when shut. Dealer heard sound and admitted it sounded bad however can't repair it. Customer unhappy with outcome.
38000 mi
Clicking transaxle during sharp turns when extremely cold
21000 mi
Bad transmission sensor. Replaced under warranty.
31800 mi
Both front axles had been squealing when fully turned at slow speeds. The dealer found an appropriate repair bulletin and replaced both front axles
40000 mi
When switching gears, the gear indicator showed blank and check engine light was on. The problem was caused by faulty gear position sensor, replaced, problem is gone.
111000 mi
US $462
CV joints & boots worn out, replaced
42700 mi
The transmission is also apt to act a little 'jerky' at times. However, since it spits out no codes, its considered ok.
Harsh shifts when cold and sloppy shifts when hot. Had already drain and filled fluid twice, problem improved slightly. Dealer reset adaptation and hybrid mesh setting and transmission shifts great now
31000 mi
Dealer had to install a new transmission under warranty
Easy to stall. Crunchy gear changes 1 through 4. First 4 visits, no problem 'found'. We insisted on the 5th visit - they take the car and someone use it as their own, compliance with request. Problem found. Clutch replaced. Problem since 250km, 4th visit. Finally agreement:double flywheel clutch is faulty - causing RPM drop on engagement/stalling/rough changes. Entire clutch replaced under warranty. In shop 19 days, replacement vehicle provided.
Transmission was shifting very hard from 4th to 3rd. Had to have the transmission control computer reset and updated to newest firmware. Not covered by warranty.
33000 mi
Car was downshifting into 3rd roughly. The dealer reset the computer values to the default.
93000 mi
US $700
Torque clutch converter solenoid replacement
28500 mi
US $600
Transmission was jumping when downshifting. Had to pay for a reprogramming of the latest firmware for the transmission computer as well as a transmission flush.
20000 mi
I'm still having an issue with my transmission but the dealer didn't see any problem. I dropped off my car for 2 days in July, but the dealer said there was no problem which I'm still experiencing.
102000 mi
US $120
Transmission had developed a hard downshift to 1st gear when transmission was cold. There was a TSB concerning the problem - dealer did the required computer update.
104300 mi
US $200
software upgrade to stop transmission from jerking when coming to a stop
17860 mi
Hard(er) shifts. Acceptable, would not call them a problem, but not as smooth as when new. Drain and fill ATF with original SPIII ATF, shift quality noticeably improved. Required about 3.6L of ATF.
33217 mi
Transmission jerks when downshifting while slowing down. Started doing it during a recent trip and when i checked, there was no oil. I refilled. Problem returned after 2 day. Dealer couldn't identify and told me to bring it back when it happens regularly.
34000 mi
US $486
Problem with transmission downshifting while slowing down. When cold, the transmission gives a big jolt when downshifting. As the car heats up the problem disappears. Did the 30k service which included tranny service but problem remains.
29000 mi
Hard downshift from 3rd to 2cnd when the car was cold. A software update was applied. This took care of the problem.
93000 mi
Reset program to eliminate clunk when shifting 1st to 2nd.
155000 mi
Engine light on code is trans or lock up converter not working
9150 mi
Same issue, dealer had car for 18days, ended up having to replace the transmission. Took parts from stock car to verify it was not computers.
119900 mi
US $100
A faulty sensor was found thanks to my check engine light. Not sure what the name of it was
68000 mi
US $90
There was an issue with a hard downshift. Not sure if it was the adaptive driving feature or firmware. The adaptive driving was reset and new firmware was applied per a TSB.
I had to pay diagnostic fee, but not repair cost.
107000 mi
US $2000
Continued problems with a hard downshift. Dealer determined the transmission needed to be replaced. Since it was just barely out of warranty Hyundai split the cost of the replacement and provided a rebuilt transmission and I paid for the labor to install it.
clutch falls to floor on a soft foot. clutch pressure not spec. Dealer ordered new part. Same problem. Soft foot makes clutch fall to floor without pressure to pop up.
28000 mi
Clutch would not return back down to floor; after restart it worked and dealer could not replicate.
13000 mi
The clutch pedal would grab high, low, then stay enguaged, then a popping noise and the clutch pedal went to the floor with fluid coming out of the transmission. I had the car for 13 miles and the same condition came back, stopped working on my home street, had the service manager come out and confirm, and needed to be towed again. Replaced some valve (Service advisor said they didn't know what it was) in the clutch system and replaced the slave cylinder again. At this point it was irrelevant,the car is unreliable. Hyundai and dealer refuse to work on the car anymore, I'm Stuck.
The other two leaking components were not repaired/replaced since the car will be sold. I was quoted $360 for the transmission pan replacement and around $2,250 to repair the leak at the the timing belt cover. The timing belt cover had been previously repaired around 3 years ago.
101680 mi
C $400
Transmission oil pan replaced. Oil pan and front timing chain cover not done at this time.
71200 mi
Dealer replaced transmission. When leaving dealership, I felt a clunk from the transmission and the check engine went and stayed on.
72000 mi
Check engine light code showed an internal failure of the transmission, transmission replaced again.
2000 mi
Transmission low of fluid. Dealer added fluid.
39000 mi
Car has a shake. Feels like a tire out of balance. Dealer says it is the torque converter locking up and all 08 Sonata's will shake between 40 and 50 mph.
CVC Boot came loose and had to be reinstalled. A part was ordered. Part was installed. Covered under warranty. CVC boot came loose on the driver side. Covered under warranty.
Transmission would not shift out of first gear. Dash indicator showed D1. D1 is not a valid option. It should be D or 1, but not D1. Once towed to shop, the mechanic was unable to replicate the problem. Suspect bad connector or moisture
83000 mi
felt like rougher than normal shifting; could not replicate. Problem subsided and is no longer noticeable. Road test only... no charge.
147000 mi
US $244
drivers side cv joint needed replacement due to severe vibrations
98000 mi
noticed growling/rattling/grinding sound coming from engine compartment. got louder over a few weeks. took to the repair shop. they say transaxle will have to be removed and will cost at least $1000
98000 mi
US $1176
noise from engine compartment got louder. after weeks of driving check engine light came on. flexplate rivets had loosened. dropped transmission to replace flexplate. there is a service bulletin on this.
76000 mi
US $300
Tranny was making a whining noise in 4th gear and shifting early into 4th going up hills, resulting in loss of power. Dealer found nothing wrong. Symptoms remain unchanged. No faith in dealer any more.
93000 mi
US $260
CV joint had unpacked itself, slung all grease. Was making noise. Cleaned and regreased. No issues now. Independant shop looked at same problem and swore it was strut mounts. Dealer proved MUCH value in experience. Nailed it. Happy.
26000 mi
US $1900
Replaced an internal part in the transmission (forgot the part name) that the dealer had only seen fail one time and that was on a brand new car.
34000 mi
I don't know the exact name of the part that failed, but it was some sort of acceleration pedal "link" that was faulty from the factory (or so the tech said). It caused the car to have 1/4 of its usual power and could not be driven faster than 30 mph.
trans would intermittantly "skip" or hesitate regardless of speed or terrain. a friend said that his wife's car did the same thing before the trans failed completely. we got rid of the car.
Replaced transmission. Needed seals to repair, parts were backordered. Kept car almost 4 weeks, eventually Hyundai said to replace entire transmission instead of waiting for parts to rebuild. $3500 job but still under warranty (except for clutch parts).
Car had boots that were torn, and so the CV joints and axles were replaced.
99000 mi
US $305
Front axle was replaced again. Front axle had been replaced less than a year before by dealer. Very unhappy with dealer. Everytime I take my car to the dealer--they have my car for 2 weeks to a month and the car returns with same problem.
112000 mi
US $600
left front axle boot was cracked and failing, entire axle replaced
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently Hyundai Sonata problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.
