2018 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 11%of 375 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,538miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Hyundai Sonata, 11% of the 375 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,538 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had a recall performed on my car. 'Hyundai campaign 953 product improvement '. 10 miles after the recall was performed my car went into limp mode and is barely driveable. The recall is supposed to place the vehicle in limp mode due to rod bearing wear. My car has 5,560miles on it and the engine is already failing.”
NHTSA complaint #11173442, filed 2019-02, 5,560 miles“When accelerating from a stopped position the vehicle shudders or stutters before proper acceleration is achieved. I owned a ford fiesta that did the same thing and it turned out to be the clutch. Is that a possibility with my Sonata?”
NHTSA complaint #11382760, filed 2020-12, 28,000 miles“I get a hev warning telling me to shutdown my car. When this happens my vehival no longer engages the gas part of my motor, the car gives me multiple distracting noises. After turning the car off and back on immediately the gasoline side of my motor is working again.. P2600 pops up on my scanner and the check engine light remains on till about 4 ignition cycles with some drive time. Almost once, and sometimes twice a day for the past three days this has been an issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11355668, filed 2020-09, 33,500 miles“In feb 2020 my Sonata went into safe mode after exiting highway and dealer ended up replacing knock sensor . In december 2020 my engine stuttered throwing me forward as if I had hit brakes hard. No warning lights or messages occurred and after a few seconds car acted normally mostly. A few days later after exiting highway again the engine warning light (orange) came on along with error message possible condition with engine control system has been detected. Car did not go into safe mode and seemed to be operating normally. …”
NHTSA complaint #11378237, filed 2020-12, 147,000 miles“I went into purchasing dealer for first oil change at 5100 miles, they flashed computer and loaded update Hyundai campaign 953 product improvement. About 50 miles after the recall was performed my car went into limp mode and is barely driveable. Car was also hesitating, and bucking a bit. Took it back to dealer they stated the code didn't apply to my car and flashed it again. It again went into limp mode after 50 miles or so. The recall is supposed to place the vehicle in limp mode due to rod bearing wear. My car has 5,400 miles on it and it now at a different dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11176271, filed 2019-02, 5,400 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253275Apr 9, 2024This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on…
- 10241885Aug 25, 2023If you are servicing an 8-speed vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed, follow the service procedure and replace the related solenoid and…
- 10241874Aug 17, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response…
- 10213721May 19, 2022Certain vehicles (listed below) equipped with 7-speed Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT) may exhibit abnormal vibration at low speeds. This bulletin outlines the procedures for…
- 10213720May 19, 2022If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10211671Apr 28, 2022If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10201469Aug 19, 2021Certain vehicles (listed below) equipped with 7-speed Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT) may exhibit abnormal vibration at low speeds. This bulletin outlines the procedures for…
- 10186820Jan 14, 2021This bulletin provides the procedure to update the TCU for a rough idle in Drive with Neutral Control enabled. The rough idle may occur only at a stop in Drive with the A/C off…
- 10182314Oct 13, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10180977Sep 2, 2020This bulletin provides a procedure to transfer pressure data to the TCU using GDS Mobile. This procedure is necessary to reduce the transmission learning time and improve the…
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 2018 Hyundai Sonata
212 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
59 complaintsFuel system
34 complaintsExterior lighting
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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