2020 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 13%of 182 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,599miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata, 13% of the 182 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,599 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Occasionally there is a serious delay when trying to accelerate. Car tends to jerk/buck when accelerating, usually in the lower gears. I have no idea if this is a transmission issue or a fuel injection issue, but my dealership has not been able to detect an issue and keeps telling me everything is normal when it clearly isn't. The car also has harsh downshifts especially going from 2nd to 1st gear.”
NHTSA complaint #11386446, filed 2021-01, 2,000 miles“Vehicle abruptly stopped in a traffic signal without giving any indications what so ever. When tried to restart it stalled pretty badly causing excessive vibrations. This had just 1900 miles on it. Vehicle didn't have any mil or any visible information about the issue. It created a huge traffic pile up due to the peak hour in which this problem started. Few days ago there was issue with starting but it resolved after couple of minutes, this time the vehicle had to be towed to the dealership and I lost my days work and pay. Biggest concern is how abruptly it stopped in a busy street.”
NHTSA complaint #11338985, filed 2020-07, 1 miles“Following a firmware update to the obc for a recall, the vehicle transmission now has a severe delay responding to driver input. The transmission in this vehicle has electronic shift with pushbuttons. Previous to the firmware update, the transmission would respond instantly to driver input from these buttons. Following the firmware update, the transmission takes two seconds to respond. This delayed action prohibits driver emergency shifting, creating severe risk of an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11361578, filed 2020-09, 18,500 miles“Vehicle rough idled & eventually shuddered to a stop. This happened four times while in gear and idling at appx 1000-1500 miles. Between 1500-2000 miles, vehicle shut down while driving appx 60mph on a county road. At appx 2700 miles, mpgs drastically impacted when vehicle suddenly stopped shifting gears properly while in motion at appx 70mph on the highway. Check engine light appeared with message regarding ecs issues. Vehicle still drives, it just seems to struggle with efficiency and shifting correctly.”
NHTSA complaint #11338293, filed 2020-07, 2,700 miles“On or about November 13, 2024 our Hyundai Sonata 2020 gas tank almost exploded. We drove our vehicle to a dealership so that it could be checked because we kept hearing something that sounded like a loud pop / thumb underneath our vehicle. We had already been receiving notifications of a powertrain issue with the vehicle for years (without the dealership resolving the issue). …”
NHTSA complaint #11651800, filed 2025-03Related 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…
- 10251294Feb 29, 2024This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Engine Control Module (ECM) and/or the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for 2020-2023MY Sonata (DN8/DN8a) vehicles to improve…
- 10245580Nov 10, 2023This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation.
- 10243329Sep 14, 2023If you are servicing an 8-speed front-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with automatic transaxle with one or more of the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure…
- 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…
- 10241796Aug 1, 2023This TSB provides information to diagnose the push button shifter operation. If you are servicing a vehicle with any symptoms listed below or DTCs (listed on Page 2) , follow the…
- 10240084Jul 11, 2023If you are servicing an 8-speed front-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with automatic transaxle with one or more of the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure…
- 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…
- 10207809Jan 21, 2022This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose the push button shifter operation. If you are servicing a vehicle with any symptoms or DTC listed below, follow the Service Procedure…
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 2020 Hyundai Sonata
59 complaintsElectrical system
40 complaintsEngine
32 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSeats
16 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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