Hyundai Elantra transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
230 of the 2,530 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Elantra 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2017 (67), 2020 (48), 2016 (31). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Elantra transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 21 | 13% | — | 6 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 19 | 12% | — | 16 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | 14 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 48 | 19% | 5k | 17 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 12 | 5% | — | 27 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 29 | 9% | — | 36 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 67 | 8% | 41k | 41 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 31 | 10% | — | 30 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 24 · 2021: 20 · 2022: 31 · 2023: 34 · 2024: 35 · 2025: 35 · 2026: 27
Across the model years, half of the 79 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 5,000 and 76,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I bought a vehicle used and it malfunctions in six days. It is a safety hazard to me the driver and other drivers on the roads. The vehicle is weighing heavy on the passenger side the car is not parallel. Also the vehicle stalls while driving. The pedal stops giving power to the car.
Was driving the car on a two lane road and engine shut off. Had to coast to side of road. Had car towed to deal and they say it is a bottom end knock and engine has to be replaced. It has 54,000 miles and has been serviced regularly by Hyundai dealers.
Everytime when I driving around 20 minutes The transmission start failed on the first gear...every time when I stop at the traffic light and then go forward car loose the power in the first gear even sport mode or smart mode or normal mode he do that....
While driving on the highway, my vehicle experienced a CVT transmission failure. The vehicles tachometer started oscillating slightly, jumping up and down. The next symptoms was the car at times felt like it had a bucking/jerking sensation. The tachometer suddenly jumped up to around 5000 RPM.
On 06/10/2022 Going down the road went to shift gears and it was stuck in 5th gear. Finally got it released and safely made it home. Ever since you can shift the gears and reverse while engine isn’t running but once I turn on the vehicle it refuses to shift into any gears including reverse.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- Jul 27, 2023 · 52,109 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
- 22V746000 HighOct 6, 2022 · 56,148 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Jun 5, 2026
- This bulletin provides information related to a Transmission Control Unit (TCU) software update for some vehicles equipped with an 8-speed wet dual clutch transmission (8WDCT). The software update revises the touch point learning variation, improving drivability and judder symptoms. Certain 8WDCTs (indicated by a new part number) received an updated clutch spring. The correct TCU software update m
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Elantra
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Elantra problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Elantra years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2017, 67; 2020, 48; 2016, 31. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (19%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Hyundai Elantra?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V526000 (2023), 22V746000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 25,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 76,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.