2009 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 9%of 460 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,889miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata, 9% of the 460 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,889 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car gear shift locks up. I cannot change gears from park to go in reverse or drive. I have to utilize the manual gear shift override every time I need to change gears. The car will be stationary and I must keep my feet on the brakes at all times as I fear it may shift on its own. It is a continuous problem that began 3 weeks ago.”
NHTSA complaint #11073582, filed 2018-02, 235,000 miles“As I was driving up a hill in a residential neighborhood, the engine started making extremely loud noises and it would no longer respond to the accelerator. This was on a narrow two way street. I had it towed to the local Hyundai dealer who said it needs a used motor put in it for $4600 as it has an internal engine problem without going in to specifics. Engine had 97,000 miles and car was well-maintained.”
NHTSA complaint #11210441, filed 2019-05, 97,000 miles“I had an issue with my car jerking rather hard with the auto-tranny downshifted from 2nd to 1st gear whenever I slowed down. This somewhat stopped when the car got warmed up, guessing more specifically when the tranny heated up. I see I'm not the only one. I'm in a warmer climate since and haven't seen it but will see how it behaves this winter in austin, tx versus las cruces, nm. …”
NHTSA complaint #10533302, filed 2013-08, 19,000 miles“I noticed a shuddering at 90,250 miles, while traveling during the winter at around 30-45 MPH, but was very intermittent, and would go away. Then on 10/9/2013 at 102,515 miles, from park, the transmission would not engage into reverse or drive. I could hear the transmission shift, but it was not disengaging from park. Per Hyundai service technician, the transmission was junk and would need to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10553298, filed 2013-11, 90,250 miles“My car jerks during braking or downshifting around 15-20 mile per hour. It only does this after car has sat for a period of time and stops after engine warms up and has been driven for about 20 minutes. My Sonata is automatic.”
NHTSA complaint #10846039, filed 2016-03, 96,000 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:
- 10160098Apr 15, 2019This bulletin provides the procedure to write the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) during the replacement of the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module…
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10082455Aug 9, 2016"the pcm or tcm contains logic to adjust solenoid duty and line pressure as needed to compensate for normal clutch wear over the life of the transaxle. This bulletin provides the…
- 10052143Mar 1, 2013Hyundai: due to an error in the internal control module read only memory, information is provided regarding the replacing of the pcm and a possible warranty claim. Models…
- 10046200Aug 1, 2012Hyundai: information provided regarding installation of inhibitor switch bracket to prevent shock when shifting vehicle to drive or reverse. Models 2010-11 tucson and 2009-10…
- 10037957Feb 1, 2011Hyundai: the procedure to update software on 2009-2010 sonata. Improves acceleration from a stop and deceleration on a cold engine.
- 10034491Jun 1, 2010Hyundai: automatic transaxle ecm and tcm update. Provides a procedure to update the ecm and tcm software to the most recent versions to revise-acceleration feel from a stop or…
- 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…
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 2009 Hyundai Sonata
98 complaintsElectrical system
61 complaintsEngine
56 complaintsElectronic stability control
51 complaintsOther or unknown
48 complaintsBody and structure
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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