1997 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 18%of 49 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata, 18% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Experiencing problem with accelleration on highway. When vehicle reaches 40 MPH or more it appears to be shifting in neutral, and causes engine to stall. Vehicle been in dealer's shop on four occasions, and dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Please fill free toprovide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #866457, filed 2000-07“Automatic transmission; when appling gear in reverse there is a hard banging noise coming from transmission. Transmission has been replaced three times. Dealership was aware of problem. Check engine light illuminated, dealer replaced faulty o2 sensor. Faulty battery causing vehicle to crank slow. Driver door window moves slow, dealer lubricated glass channel. Outer cv boot replaced, it was cracked. Solenoid valve faulty causing poor gas mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #895469, filed 2001-08“When driving on the highway at 60 MPH transmission went completely out, causing loss of acceleration. Also, vehicle will ot go into reverse. Consumer has contacted the dealer, transmission nees replacing. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #864730, filed 2000-07Related service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 18% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 24 | 25% |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% |
| 2020 | 24 | 13% |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% |
| 2018 | 40 | 11% |
| 2017 | 56 | 7% |
| 2016 | 59 | 8% |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% |
| 2014 | 55 | 7% |
| 2013 | 94 | 5% |
| 2012 | 97 | 6% |
| 2011 | 173 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 41 | 9% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 3% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% |
| 1999 | 14 | 11% |
| 1998 | 12 | 24% |
| 1997 | 9 | 18% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1993 | 9 | 35% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 24% |
| 1990 | 7 | 44% |
| 1989 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 1997 Hyundai Sonata
17 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology