At the shop, Hyundai transmission and driveline issues have a recognizable signature. 4,300 documented complaints across 144 year-model entries from 2005 to 2026 is consistent with what we see come in. Complaint volume is spread across the lineup rather than parked on one bad year. That's the signature of a platform or supplier issue, not a single-year flub. 3 fatality reports on file with NHTSA tied to this category on Hyundai vehicles. That elevates this from nuisance to safety-critical. Across the 1,803 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 41,479 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
144 model-year entries · 2005–2026
Hyundai powertrain problems
4,300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Hyundai vehicles for powertrain issues. See powertrain across all makes →
Complaints
4,300
Recalls
0
Year-models
144
Avg fix
$2,500
124crashes
35fires
75injuries
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
511 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Hyundai Tucson
283 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
151 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2011 Hyundai Sonata
144 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2015 Hyundai Sonata
125 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
102 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2018 Hyundai Tucson
99 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2012 Hyundai Sonata
93 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
85 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Hyundai Sonata
83 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
80 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
71 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Hyundai Elantra
61 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Hyundai Tucson
60 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2016 Hyundai Sonata
58 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
55 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
53 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2017 Hyundai Sonata
53 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2014 Hyundai Sonata
51 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2013 Hyundai Elantra
51 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
50 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
50 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2020 Hyundai Elantra
45 complaints · ~$2,500 moderate
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
40 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
2016 Hyundai Veloster
40 complaints · ~$2,500 severe
Common questions
How many Hyundai powertrain complaints are on file with NHTSA?
4,300 complaints across 144 model-year entries from 2005 to 2026. No active recall campaigns currently cover this category for Hyundai.
Which Hyundai model has the most powertrain complaints?
The 2016 Hyundai Tucson leads with 511 complaints in this category. Next: 2017 Tucson (283) and 2017 Santa Fe (151).
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.