the abs light stays on no matter what ive tried resetting it and everything and it wont work, the electrical system in the car sometimes doesnt work properly this regarding the headlights and interior buttons, the transmission on the car since i have bought it has a really dangerous kick back on it in the transmission jolts the car really hard to the point its dangerous to drive on dry and rainy…
2013 Hyundai Genesis powertrain problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 23 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Hyundai Genesis, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Hyundai Genesis in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: This cluster reveals a 2013 Genesis with chronic powertrain defects: unexplained engine stalls (at least ten incidents reported by some owners), grinding manual transmissions requiring repeated replacement, delayed automatic shifts at low speeds, and sporadic power loss during critical maneuvers like highway merges. Dealers consistently fail to diagnose or fix these issues, and Hyundai's response is minimal.
Owners describe a powertrain prone to sudden failure. The most dangerous issue is engine stalling while driving—sometimes in turns, sometimes at traffic lights, sometimes when braking. The stall is complete: engine shuts off, all dash lights come on, and restart takes 2-3 seconds. Some owners report this happening five to ten times over several years of ownership. After restart, idle is rough and unstable until the driver applies hard throttle. One owner says this happened twice in one day on a 55 mph highway merge, causing the car to drift across lanes. Dealers run diagnostics and find nothing.
Manual transmission owners report gear grinding when shifting into 5th and 6th, despite fully depressed clutch. Some have had transmissions replaced multiple times—at 16k, 34k, and 54k miles—and the problem recurs. Hyundai revised the transmission design in 2014, acknowledging the defect, but left 2013 owners hanging.
Automatic transmission complaints center on hesitation and slipping. Some cars delay 2-4 seconds before upshifting at low speeds, forcing the driver to mash the throttle. Others slip under load—RPM surges, the car shakes hard, then lurches forward when it re-engages. One owner had the transmission replaced twice and the computer replaced, with no fix. Another reports the car shifted from Drive into Reverse while parked. Violent jerking at 20 mph is also documented. Dealer diagnostics routinely turn up nothing.
Same Hyundai Genesis powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalls while driving
Engine shuts off completely during normal driving, often at low speeds or while turning or braking. All dashboard lights illuminate as if the car is being powered on. Restart takes 2-3 seconds. Recurs at least five to ten times over ownership period.
When: Low speeds, braking, turns, traffic lights; reported at 100,000 miles but first incidents earlier. Appears more frequent in temperatures above 75-80°F.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; All dash lights illuminate; Difficult restart, takes 2-3 seconds; Rough, unstable idle after restart; Loss of power steering and braking assistance during stall; Vehicle drifts or loses directional control during stall
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report taking vehicle to dealer for diagnostics; no error codes found or problem replicated by technicians.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai customer service did not reply to at least one reported incident. Previous complaint ODI numbers cited: 10606872, 10746269, 11221909, 11221913, 11221917.
Manual transmission grinds in 5th and 6th gear
Manual transmission grinds audibly and harshly when shifting into 5th or 6th gear, even with clutch fully depressed. Problem recurs repeatedly; owners report multiple replacements needed. Hyundai revised the transmission design in 2014 model year, suggesting recognition of defect, but 2013 owners not covered by recall.
When: 16,000 miles (first replacement), 34,000 miles (second), 54,000 miles (third); pattern indicates recurring failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise when shifting into 5th gear; Grinding noise when shifting into 6th gear; Grinding persists despite fully depressed clutch
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple transmission replacements under warranty; cost coverage varies by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai covers replacements under warranty on case-by-case basis; dealers hit-or-miss on approval. Transmission redesigned in 2014 model year, but 2013 owners excluded from retroactive fix.
Delayed transmission shift at acceleration
Automatic transmission hesitates 2-4 seconds before upshifting from 3rd to 5th gear during acceleration at low speeds. RPMs climb to 3000-4500 range before shift occurs. Driver must apply heavy acceleration to trigger upshift. Causes sudden forward lunge when shift finally engages. Rear tires spin if ESC is disabled.
When: Low-speed highway acceleration and freeway driving; 3rd-to-5th gear range.
Symptoms owners cite: 2-4 second delay before upshift; RPM surge to 3000-4500 range; Need for hard acceleration to force shift; Sudden lunge forward when shift engages; Rear tire spin if ESC off; Difficult vehicle control during shift delay
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostic found no issues.
Violent jerking while driving
Vehicle jerks violently during normal driving at low speeds (around 20 mph). Problem persists after dealer replaced transmission twice and vehicle computer system. Multiple dealers unable to replicate issue or identify root cause.
When: Around 13,000 miles (first reported); occurs during low-speed driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking or jolting while driving at 20 mph; Violent shaking; Dangerous transmission kickback
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced twice; computer system replaced; problem persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; directed owner to various dealers for diagnosis, but no solution found.
Loss of power and hesitation during acceleration
Engine loses power or fails to respond when accelerator is pressed, especially during critical maneuvers like highway merges or lane changes. Engine runs but does not accelerate; driver must back off and reapply throttle. Lasts several seconds and creates immediate safety hazard.
When: Highway acceleration, lane changes, traffic merges; occurs at low speeds and during freeway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: No engine response to accelerator input; Coasting while accelerator depressed; 2-3 second power loss; Unusual engine sound during event; Engine shaking during power loss; Loss of power when changing lanes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer roadside assistance retrieved vehicle; no diagnostics found anything unusual.
Transmission hesitation and poor shifting at low speeds
Transmission hesitates and shifts poorly at low speeds and city driving. Flat response when hard acceleration demanded. Vehicle temporarily stalls during lane changes at slow speeds (30-40 mph). Gear selection appears wrong or delayed.
When: Low-speed driving, city streets, exiting slow lanes at 30-40 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when accelerating hard; Poor gear shifting at low speeds; Temporary stall during lane changes; Flat throttle response
Transmission slipping and high RPM surges
Transmission slips under load, causing RPM to spike very high before re-engaging gear. Vehicle shakes violently and lurches forward suddenly when transmission re-engages. Slipping occurs primarily between 3rd and 4th gear. Problem intermittent: active for several days, then stops for weeks, then recurs.
When: Intermittent; active for multiple days, then dormant 1-2 weeks before recurring.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping under acceleration; Very high RPM surges; Violent shaking when re-engaging; Rapid forward lurch upon re-engagement; Slipping primarily between 3rd and 4th gear
Transmission gear engagement failure and shifting noise
Automatic transmission fails to find or engage proper gear. When it does engage, driver reports violent bang or jolt as if car has been rear-ended. Problem occurs primarily between 3rd-4th and 4th-5th gear shifts during city driving.
When: City driving; 3rd-4th and 4th-5th gear shifts.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fails to find gear; Violent bang when gear finally engages; Hard jolt or impact sensation; Delayed or violent gear engagement
Transmission manufacturing defect causing loud noise
Engine develops abnormally loud noise identified by dealer as manufacturing defect in transmission requiring replacement.
When: Very early in vehicle life; reported at 700 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormally loud engine noise
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered extended warranty; vehicle was not repaired per complaint.
Vehicle slips from Drive to Reverse unintentionally
Vehicle unexpectedly shifted from Drive into Reverse while vehicle was parked and in Drive gear. Occurred without warning or driver input. Owner reports this is one of approximately 20 transmission incidents experienced.
When: While parked, vehicle in Drive.
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended shift from Drive to Reverse; No warning or driver input
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Auto hesitates when accelerated hard; it falls flat on its face when called on to perform. Not sure if it is engine or transmission (wrong gear). I consider this a safety issue because one cannot get out of the way of oncoming traffic. Typically, when attempting to exit a slow moving (30-40 MPH) traffic lane into fast lane, the car temporarily stalls putting driver at risk of being hit in…
The head rest just popped out while I was driving did not hit anything. The radio goes out some time ,I have to cut it off and back on to make it work. The dash around the radio just started coming loose for no reason. I'm ridding in the to of the line Hyundai.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Hyundai Genesis?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Hyundai Genesis?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 7,500 and 99,000 miles, with the median around 54,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,500; a quarter make it past 99,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Hyundai/Genesis.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.