1999 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 11%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,313miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Hyundai Sonata, 11% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,313 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“While driving close to home my Hyundai Sonata 1999 started pulling to the right , getting more severe by the minute. I decided to go home. By the time I got home the front right wheel was leaning towards the outside of car. I took the wheel off and discovered that the lower front control arm separated from the frame because of severe corrosion in the sub frame of car.”
NHTSA complaint #10263569, filed 2009-03, 90,126 miles“Hi, I bought my 1999 Hyundai Sonata from a private person nov.2007. I was driving the car to the store when all of a sudden the right front wheel went back into the wheel well. I had it towed to a garage to lift it to see what happened. The engine cradle was so rotted that my half shaft pulled out and broke. The control arm completely rotted off the cradle. This is what I can plainly see as a safety hazard. I could have had a wreck had I been going any faster.”
NHTSA complaint #10209264, filed 2007-11, 123,184 miles“I purchased my 1999 Sonata from a used car dealer & have had numerous problems with the car, its been a nightmare, one problem after another!!!! The crankshaft sensor had to be completely replaced because the component had severely melted, issues with the transmission, ABS/airbag warning light on, & have had to change out the half shaft on both drivers/passenger side, numerous tires, brakes but the most severe of all the problems which puts my safety, my 12 yr old son & fiance's safety, along with family/friend's safety at risk is the complete corrosion of the subframe I too to a mechanic…”
NHTSA complaint #10439345, filed 2011-12, 52,500 miles“- the contact has a 1999 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that on 03/22/2007 the reverse gear would not engage. She said that it would go forward just a little, but it will not engage in reverse. The contact had her vehicle towed to a transmission specialist because she was told that she needed a new transmission. The failure mileage was 40000 and the current mileage was 41000.”
NHTSA complaint #10186389, filed 2007-03, 40,000 miles“At any speed engine check light came on and stayed on. Vehicle had problems shifting into gears, and stalled. Vehicle was taken to the dealership on numerous occasions, and the mechanics were not able to fix the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10054088, filed 2004-01, 95,000 milesRelated 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:
- 10128154Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128153Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128119Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128118Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10032908Oct 1, 2009Hyundai: ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0741, p0742, p0743, p0746, p0748, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. Incorrect operation of the transaxle solenoids may…
- 10030984Jul 1, 2009Hyundai: automatic transaxle range switch diagnostic trouble codes p0705 (range switch signal problems), p0707 (range switch open circuit), and p0708 (range switch short circuit…
- 10025083May 1, 2008Automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed upshift or downshift - gds analysis.
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 1999 Hyundai Sonata
36 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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