2014 Hyundai Sonata transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V434000Jul 18, 2014883,000 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.

  Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

  Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.

What owners say

1. Filed May 31, 2026PAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious safety issue involving my Hyundai Sonata. While driving under normal conditions, my vehicle suddenly entered a low-power ("limp") mode without warning. The vehicle would not accelerate beyond approximately 30–35 mph, creating a potentially hazardous situation in traffic. At the same time, the check engine light began blinking. The sudden loss of power significantly reduced my ability to maintain traffic speed and safely…

   NHTSA complaint #11741142 · source
2. Filed Jan 16, 2026OHElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving with my family on a busy freeway at approximately 70 mph, our vehicle suddenly displayed a loud, urgent warning: “Hybrid System Warning – Safely Stop and Do Not Drive!” At the same moment, the car lost the ability to accelerate without any prior signs of trouble. We were extremely fortunate to have enough momentum to coast to the shoulder and shut the vehicle off, unsure of how serious the issue might be. Being stranded without warning on a high‑speed highway…

   NHTSA complaint #11711362 · source
3. Filed Jul 7, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a dangerous incident involving my Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (VIN: [XXX] ) and Hyundai Motor America’s failure to fully correct the issue. Incident Summary: While driving on the freeway, the vehicle suddenly displayed the following alarming warnings: “Hybrid System Warning! Safely Stop and Do Not Drive” “Check Charging System” Immediately after these messages appeared, the car lost all power and shut down in…

   NHTSA complaint #11671502 · source
4. Filed Jun 18, 2025IATransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle's engine seized completely at 75 MPH on the interstate. No warning lights or abnormal noises were present before catastrophic failure, and the car has been serviced recently. CEL came on at time of failure, throws code P1326. Car rapidly/dangerously decelerated, would have crashed if not driving in the Leftmost lane of travel.

   NHTSA complaint #11667810 · source
5. Filed Jun 14, 2025CAElectrical SystemOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Formal Complaint – Hybrid System Failure, Safety Risk (VIN: [XXX] | Hyundai Case #[XXX]) Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a dangerous incident involving my Hyundai hybrid vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ) and Hyundai Motor America's failure to respond meaningfully to repeated requests for assistance. Incident Summary: On [XXX], while driving with my two young children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ), my vehicle suddenly displayed the following critical…

   NHTSA complaint #11666942 · source
6. Filed Jan 29, 2025GAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   When I was driving on highway check brake warning came up with hybrid system warning I wasn’t be able to stop or accelerate I slowed down and pulled over might caused a big accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11639362 · source
7. Filed Sep 19, 2024CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving at a higher rate of speed 50 MPH in the center of 3 laned road no warning or indicator lights were on in my vehicle when the engine without warning blew and stopped working. Again no check engine lights were on no warnings were given. It shut down and would no longer accelerate or drive. We almost caused several accidents as this was a very busy roadway.

   NHTSA complaint #11615483 · source
8. Filed Nov 11, 2023WACrashTowedBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Incident date 07/04/2023 Incident place I-405 exit WA-522 Incident total engine, car system completely off, brakes won't work Traveling with whole family complete car system failure, had to drive to side road hitting bushes and trees in order to get the car stopped State patrol arrived at the scene, assisted getting towing Everything turned off while on freeway to direction to the two/three lane bridge had to quickly take any exit in order to avoid the freeway bridge I…

   NHTSA complaint #11554647 · source
9. Filed Sep 2, 2023CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Lost power to vehicle while driving on the freeway, hybrid system warning was displayed as well as several lights to include engine, brake, and skid control. Had the dealer replace the knock sensor, 3 months later the exact same thing happened, in the same way. All the same obd2 codes were pulled both times.

   NHTSA complaint #11542319 · source
10. Filed Aug 8, 2023CAElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    On the dashboard showing " Hybrid system warning. Safely park and do not drive" sign while the vehicle is being driven and slowly loose its power till completely stall. After I turn off the engine and try to turn on again ,the "Ready" sign keeps blinking. I was twice stall by the exit of a freeway. It's very dangerous. I also found a few recalls related to this issue in the past.

    NHTSA complaint #11537194 · source
11. Filed Mar 12, 2023TNEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    The car used up to 4 quarts of oil per week with just driving when necessary. It burned oil and blew it out under the hood.

    NHTSA complaint #11511459 · source
12. Filed Dec 13, 2022FLCrashTowedEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    I bought my car at 97k miles in June 2022. From the 2nd day of having it, my car was shaking horribly. I sent it back to the dealership they said the front motor mount was collapsed. They repaired it but said there is still shaking but they don't know why. About 2 months later, I get in with Universal Hyundai and they only say that I need my axels and spark plugs replaced along with the air filters. They do a balance and alignment on my car as well as an oil change. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11497193 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology