At the shop, Hyundai transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 3,901 documented complaints across 139 year-model entries from 2005 to 2025 is consistent with what we see come in. 2016 Hyundai Tucson tops the list, but the pattern repeats across years. Multiple generations are affected. 3 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Hyundai vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 1,634 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 40,967 miles. Repair exposure averages $2,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. Pull a transmission fluid sample if you can. Color and smell tell you more than mileage alone. If the fluid is dark or smells burnt, walk.
ProblemsByVin HYUNDAI / POWERTRAIN
139 model-year entries · 2005–2025
Hyundai powertrain problems
3,901 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Hyundai vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
3,901
Recalls
0
Year-models
139
Avg fix
$2,500
117crashes
28fires
66injuries
3fatalities
Worst-affected Hyundai model-years for powertrain Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2016 Hyundai Tucson
508 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Hyundai Tucson
283 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2015 Hyundai Sonata
123 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
102 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2018 Hyundai Tucson
96 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2012 Hyundai Sonata
92 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
83 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Hyundai Sonata
81 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
80 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
68 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Hyundai Tucson
58 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Hyundai Elantra
58 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2016 Hyundai Sonata
55 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
52 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Hyundai Sonata
52 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
51 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Hyundai Elantra
51 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Hyundai Sonata
50 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
50 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
48 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2020 Hyundai Elantra
41 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Hyundai Veloster
40 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2009 Hyundai Sonata
40 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2006 Hyundai Tiburon
40 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2019 Hyundai Tucson
38 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
Common questions
How many Hyundai powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
3,901 complaints across 139 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Hyundai.
Which Hyundai model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2016 Hyundai Tucson leads with 508 complaints in this category. Next: 2017 Tucson (283) and 2015 Sonata (123).
What does it cost to fix Hyundai powertrain problems?
Independent shops average $2,500 for powertrain repairs across the Hyundai lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Hyundai powertrain recalls?
No active NHTSA recalls currently cover powertrain issues on Hyundai vehicles. The complaints are owner-reported and have not risen to a manufacturer recall.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Shop Foreman, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Hyundai.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.