YearToAvoid

2014 Hyundai Sonata Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 54 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Hyundai Sonata, 7% of all complaints filed for the year. A related recall (14V434000) covers a transmission shift cable that can detach. Median mileage at failure is 51,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
54
7% of 746
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
51,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly after they exited it, in at least one case leading to a crash and injuries.
  • Some report transmission fluid leaking from the unit shortly after purchase, with dealers finding an unsealed port from the factory.
  • Drivers describe hesitation or delayed acceleration between 0 and 30 mph, sometimes with RPMs dropping before catching or surging afterward.
  • Several describe the transmission staying in a higher gear than expected or grumbling when it should downshift, especially above 45 mph.
  • Owners report the shifter or drive gear becoming stuck, requiring the engine to be shut off or the car towed.
  • A few report the transmission slipping and being replaced multiple times by the dealer without resolving the symptoms.

When 2014 Hyundai Sonata transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 8, 2014, latest May 31, 2026.

2014 Hyundai Sonata transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2014Mar 2016Mar 2018Jun 2019Aug 2020Mar 2021Mar 2023Jun 2025
54 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2014 to May 2026; peak Sep 2019 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2014 Hyundai Sonata

  1. NHTSA 14V434000Jul 18, 2014Transmission & Powertrain883,000 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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sonata model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20055 (3%)
  2. 200622 (2%)
  3. 20079 (1%)
  4. 200814 (3%)
  5. 200941 (9%)
  6. 201021 (6%)
  7. 2011173 (5%)
  8. 201297 (6%)
  9. 201394 (5%)
  10. 201454 (7%)
  11. 2015134 (12%)
  12. 201659 (8%)
  13. 201755 (7%)
  14. 201840 (11%)
  15. 20198 (5%)
  16. 202024 (13%)
  17. 202124 (18%)
  18. 202224 (26%)
  19. 202316 (18%)
  20. 20246 (13%)
  21. 20253 (19%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2014 Hyundai Sonata have?
NHTSA lists 54 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Sonata, which is 7% of the 746 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2014 Hyundai Sonata?
Yes. Recall 14V434000 covers 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles built between December 11, 2009 and May 29, 2014, where the transmission shift cable may detach. Dealers inspect and repair the shift cable connection at no cost.
At what mileage do 2014 Sonata transmission problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 51,000 miles, though some owners reported issues within the first few thousand miles.
Did the 2014 Sonata transmission issues cause any crashes?
NHTSA data tied to this problem area lists 4 crashes and 2 injuries among the 54 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2014 Sonata.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.