NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
32 reportsClear category filter40,000 miles · Nov 2, 2018
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS GOING TO THIRD GEAR AND SOMETIMES TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO DOWNSHIFT IF ACCELERATION IS NEEDED AS I'M ENTERING A HIGHWAY. MY CAR HAD ABOUT 45,000 MILES WHEN THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS BUT THE MANUFACTURE WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE D…
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TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS GOING TO THIRD GEAR AND SOMETIMES TAKES ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO DOWNSHIFT IF ACCELERATION IS NEEDED AS I'M ENTERING A HIGHWAY. MY CAR HAD ABOUT 45,000 MILES WHEN THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS BUT THE MANUFACTURE WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11144859
56,800 miles · Oct 5, 2018
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION OF THE CAR WILL HAVE HICCUP WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WHEN DRIVING AROUND 30-40 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11133426
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train
MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS. THERE ARE AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF ONLINE FORUMS SHOWING THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH 3 OUT OF THE 4 POWER WINDOWS. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE AMOTHER DEFAULT IN THIS MODEL CAR BECAUSE THERE WERE ALSO PLENTY OF OTHERS WITH THIS SA…
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MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS. THERE ARE AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF ONLINE FORUMS SHOWING THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH 3 OUT OF THE 4 POWER WINDOWS. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE AMOTHER DEFAULT IN THIS MODEL CAR BECAUSE THERE WERE ALSO PLENTY OF OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. ALL 3 WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THE MECHANIC TRIED REPLACING THE MOTOR AND OTHER INTERNAL PARTS BUT IT STILL WILL NOT WORK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11035969
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2017
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILS EVERY 35,000 TO 45,000 MILES. REPLACED TWICE UNDER 90,000 MILES. STARTS AS THE CAR HESITATES TO SHIFT OR DOES NOT SHIFT FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.
NHTSA ODI #10994474
57,245 miles · Apr 28, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train
WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT IN THE CITY, IN DRIVE, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR, UNABLE TO GO ABOVE 25MPH; WITH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO GAS SENDING RPMS HIGH WITHOUT ALTERING SPEED OR SHIFTING GEAR. AFTER FINDING A PLACE TO PARK, NO CEL. UPON RESTARTING CAR, CEL IS ILLUMINATED, AND CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO PARK, REVERSE, O…
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WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT IN THE CITY, IN DRIVE, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR, UNABLE TO GO ABOVE 25MPH; WITH ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO GAS SENDING RPMS HIGH WITHOUT ALTERING SPEED OR SHIFTING GEAR. AFTER FINDING A PLACE TO PARK, NO CEL. UPON RESTARTING CAR, CEL IS ILLUMINATED, AND CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO PARK, REVERSE, OR NEUTRAL, AND UPON PUTTING INTO DRIVE THE CAR JERKS FORCIBLY. THE SHIFT INDICATOR ON THE DASH ALSO FAILS TO REGISTER P, R OR N. ONLY DRIVE. HAD CAR TOWED AND LEFT AT AUTOREPAIR SHOP AND THE NEXT MORNING THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL CODE U0101 FROM DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, AND AFTER PLUGGING THE TCM BACK IN AFTER EXAMINING PINS AND CONNECTORS, THE TRANSMISSION RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #10862093
41,840 miles · Apr 2, 2016
Power Train
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK ON A INCLINE THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO HOLD THE CAR RESULTING IN THE CAR ROLLING AWAY WHILE UNOCCUPIED, I PUT MY 2010 ELANTRA IN PARK GOT OUT OF IT TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE BACK SSEAT, THE CAR WAS ON AN INCLINE AT THE TIME IN MY DRIVEWAY. AS I REACHED TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR I HEAR A LOUD …
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WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK ON A INCLINE THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO HOLD THE CAR RESULTING IN THE CAR ROLLING AWAY WHILE UNOCCUPIED, I PUT MY 2010 ELANTRA IN PARK GOT OUT OF IT TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE BACK SSEAT, THE CAR WAS ON AN INCLINE AT THE TIME IN MY DRIVEWAY. AS I REACHED TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR I HEAR A LOUD BANG AND THEN I HAD ABOUT A SECOND TO LOOK AROUND AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION MADE A REPETITVE BANGING AND CLICKING SOUND AS THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. I HAD TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR AND HOP IN THE CAR WHILE IT WAS MOVING SO I COULD HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER THIS I WENT TO A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THE ISSUE THE TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE CARS AFFECTED. I BOUGHT MINE FROM A USED CAR LOT ABOUT TEN DAYS AGO I AM TAKING IT BACK AND THEY ARE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE CAR, HOWEVER I WOULD LIKE A RECALL ISSED SO I CAN TAKE THIS CAR TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED SO I KNOW FOR SURE THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPPEN AGAIN.. AS OF RIGHT NOW I HAVE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR TO BE SURE ITS NOT GOING TO ROLL AWAY WHEN NO ONE IS THERE TO STOP IT.. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL CONFIRM THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS YEARS 2007 TILL 2010. I CAN GO OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW AND GARANTEE IF AND STRESS IS CREATED BY PARKING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE THE CAR WILL ROLL AWAY IN PARK.. I SHOWED THE DEALER THAT I GOT THE CAR FROM THIS YESTERDAY AND IT DID THIS 2 OUT OF 3 TIMES THAT I PUT THE CAR IN PARK ON A SLIGHT HILL..... THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
NHTSA ODI #10853036
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2016
Power TrainSeat BeltsSteering
JUST STARTING GETTING A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING MAKING NOISE IN STEERING WHEELS .. AND IT GET WORSE .. SEAT BELT KEEPS UNCLICKING
NHTSA ODI #10849885
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Power TrainSteering
NOISE WHEN TURN RIGHT AND LEFT. ALSO WHEN IS DRIVING MAKE A NOISE UNDER THE STERING WHEEL COLUNM-DASH
NHTSA ODI #10783345
36,257 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DROVE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DROVE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,257.
NHTSA ODI #10779689
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2015
Power Train
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW MY CAR FEELS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHEN I TRY TO SPEED UP ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I AM DOING CITY DRIVING I CAN FEEL A JERKING MOTION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR SLOW MOVEMENT. MY CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT. TRYING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY CAN BECOME VERY NAIL BITING WHEN YOU…
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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW MY CAR FEELS AS IF IT IS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL WHEN I TRY TO SPEED UP ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I AM DOING CITY DRIVING I CAN FEEL A JERKING MOTION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION OR SLOW MOVEMENT. MY CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON IT. TRYING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY CAN BECOME VERY NAIL BITING WHEN YOU TRY TO SPEED UP AND YOUR CAR SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL. I FIND THAT I HAVE TO PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, AND GET THE RPMS TO 5, IN ORDER TO GET IT INTO GEAR. I'M SEEING FAR TOO MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS AND I'M NOT SURE WHY IT'S NOT BEING RECALLED. ARE THEY WAITING FOR A FATALITY????
NHTSA ODI #10775361
Official recalls
3Feb 4, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Elantra and 2009-2011 Elantra Touring vehicles. On February 21, 2020 Hyundai expanded the recall to include 46,425 model year 2007-2008 Entourage and 2007 Santa Fe vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 188.
Feb 23, 2015
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Elantra vehicles manufactured June 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010, and 2009-2010 Elantra Touring vehicles manufactured November 1, 2008, to April 30, 2010. The electronic power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may sense a discrepancy in the steering input signals and, as a result, disable the steering power assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will verify the proper operation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and update the EPS control unit, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 127.
Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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