This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for certain vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmissions (8WDCT) that improves the touch point learning variation. Certain 8WDCTs (indicated by a new part number) received an improved clutch spring. The correct TCU software update must be matched with the correct corresponding 8WDCT hardware, otherwise drivability concerns may occur.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Hyundai Kona powertrain problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2022 Hyundai Kona, 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 8 model years of Hyundai Kona in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) may experience a check engine light or malfunction indicator light due to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) listed below. This bulletin provides information on replacing the oil pressure sensor to remedy these DTCs, rather than replacing the entire IVT assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hyundai 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 to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the immobilizer software upgrade, window decals and steering wheel lock ant-theft solutions available from
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed on Page 2, follow the repair procedure and perform the diagnosis. If necessary, replace the High Flow electric oil pump (HF EOP) for HF EOP issues or the Dual Clutch Transmission for High Pressure electric oil pump (HP EOP) issues.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain vehicles equipped with 7-speed Double Clutch Transmissions (DCT) may exhibit abnormal shifting caused by an out of specification input shaft snap ring. This bulletin outlines the procedures for inspecting for 1-2 or 2-1 shift shock and replacing the input shaft snap ring.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a cluster of powertrain failures hitting 2022 Hyundai Kona models early in their service life. The most critical issue is transmission lockup: multiple owners report the DCT refusing to shift out of first gear during highway driving, forcing them to coast to safety. One owner lost all power at 7,000 miles and required transmission replacement; another experienced the same lockup twice on the freeway.
Engine and turbo issues surface around 8,000 miles with check engine lights, poor throttle response, and solenoid or turbo replacement that doesn't fully resolve symptoms. One owner with a Kona N reports misfire and white smoke when switching driving modes, stranding them; they believe it's a software bug affecting all N-badged models (N, Elantra N, Veloster N).
Transmission overheating and smoke appear on another vehicle driven uphill. One owner describes the car creeping uphill on its own while parked on a steep driveway—a safety hazard. Several owners report hard shifts, slipping, and jerking during acceleration. False warning messages ("Engine Off – Shift to Neutral," fatigue alerts) and stalling-on-demand occur with no warning lights and no consistent diagnostic findings at dealerships. One owner with a Kona EV reports shaved metal in the gear reduction oil and progressive grinding noise leading to complete GRU failure. Across narratives, dealer responses range from temporary fixes to complete transmissions replacements, with some failures recurring within months.
Same Hyundai Kona powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of power and turbo malfunction
Engine loses ability to accelerate normally after check engine light comes on; owner reports delayed response to throttle input and intermittent power loss. Dealer replaced solenoid and turbo system but issue persists; owner notes ongoing clicking sound during downshift that remains undiagnosed.
When: 8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light illuminates; poor throttle response; delayed acceleration; clicking sound on downshift
Repairs/costs cited: Solenoid replaced, valance replaced, entire turbo system replaced
DCT misfire and white smoke
Engine misfires and runs on reduced cylinders (2-3 cyl) when switching from N Mode to normal driving, producing white smoke and stalling. Owner suspects software bug affecting Kona N and related N-badged models. First vehicle had similar stall after refueling; owner traded it in and second Kona N exhibits same issue.
When: 5,600 miles on second vehicle; prior vehicle stalled at 6,000-7,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: misfire in N Mode; white smoke from exhaust; engine stalls; runs on 2-3 cylinders
Codes mentioned: multiple OBD codes visible on vehicle display and OBD reader
Transmission stuck in first gear
Transmission locks into first gear during highway driving and stops shifting upward; engine revs only when throttle applied. Vehicle can coast slowly to safety and resets after shut-off and restart. Multiple owners report this issue.
When: 2 months ownership; 37,600 miles on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: transmission refuses to shift out of first gear; engine over-revving; loss of normal acceleration
Transmission overheating and smoke
Transmission case overheats and produces smoke while driving up incline; vehicle suddenly stops in middle of road. Owner suspects imminent fire risk.
When: During incline driving
Symptoms owners cite: transmission case overheats; smoke from transmission case; vehicle stalls
Repairs/costs cited: Owner cooled vehicle by opening hood for one hour
Gear Reduction Unit failure with metal contamination
Owner finds shaved metal particles in oil change fluid and excessive grinding noise during driving and regenerative braking. Noise develops progressively; GRU eventually fails completely. Owner reports ongoing issue with Kona EV models since 2019 that Hyundai has not addressed.
When: Ongoing throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: metal shavings in gear reduction oil; excessive noise during driving; noise during regenerative braking; grinding sounds
Repairs/costs cited: Oil changed; metal shavings discovered
Hard transmission shifts and jerking
Transmission exhibits harsh shifting from first to second gear during quick acceleration. Owner reports this is common among Kona N-Line owners and can prevent quick acceleration needed for traffic merging.
When: During normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: hard shifts 1-2 gear during acceleration; jerking during acceleration
Transmission slipping and power loss
Transmission slips during acceleration and vehicle loses power when gas pedal pressed. Owner reports orange dashboard lights for EPB, auto hold, and auto stop; vehicle pulls to right.
When: 4 months after purchase; another instance at 7,000 miles requiring replacement
Symptoms owners cite: transmission slips; power loss on acceleration; vehicle pulls right; orange warning lights for EPB/auto hold/auto stop
Codes mentioned: 8 DCT codes reported on one vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced on one vehicle after 7,000 miles
Creeping while parked on incline
Vehicle creeps uphill on its own while parked on steep driveway (45-degree angle) with transmission in Drive and brake released, without any driver input. Same behavior occurs in Reverse. Safety concern regarding unintended movement.
When: While parked on incline
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle creeps uphill without driver input; vehicle creeps in Reverse without driver input
Stalling and false warning messages
Vehicle stalls at complete stop while shifting into Park and restarts on its own. False fatigue warning message displayed ('Think About Taking a Rest') while driving normally at 65 MPH with audible chime.
When: 19,842 miles
Symptoms owners cite: stalls at complete stop; false fatigue warning message; stall with no warning lights
Erroneous engine shutdown warning
False 'Engine Off – Shift to Neutral' message displays while driving at 35 MPH with audible sound. Vehicle can be pulled over and restarted; operates normally afterward. Dealer found no cause.
When: 37,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: false 'Engine Off' warning message; audible alert sound
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Around 8,000 miles, mid-drive my check engine light came on and immediately the ability to speed up became very shotty. I have a 2022 kona n-line. I could put my foot on the floor and it would take forever to get up to speed if at all. It was very here and there and seemed to have a mind of its own when it would do this. I’ve had it into the shop 5-6 different times since then to have it…
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, he noticed while starting the vehicle and switching the headlights from automatic to manual, that the headlights failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that when the headlight switch was placed in the OFF position, the headlights would activate. The contact stated that the switch was working in reverse…
While on the highway the transmission completely stopped shifting and stayed in first gear and would only rev up the engine when the accelerator was applied.I had to coast slowly off the freeway to an exit to safely park. I turned the vehicle off and restarted after a few minutes and it drove regularly. Apparently there are other customers that have experienced this issue and this raises a lot of…
22’ Kona N DCT Base US spec. 5,600 miles est (2nd Kona) Fuel used: Shell Premium Outside Temp: 76F/Dry-Clear Sky. This is my 2nd Kona N, this is the 4th experience I’ve had with my Kona N’s. Towed the first on Vin# [XXX] to dealer, engine stalled after refueling during a road trip. 6/7k miles. Misfire. No replaced parts, car started acting normal. Then I traded it in for another Kona N in June…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 Hyundai Kona?
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 2022 Hyundai Kona?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 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?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 21,481 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2022/Hyundai/Kona.
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.