Hyundai Transmission Repair and Replacement Cost
It’s worth knowing how to maintain the transmission on your Elantra or Sonata: Hyundai transmission replacements can cost over $8,000.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Shannon Fitzgerald
If your Hyundai needs transmission repairs, prepare yourself for a costly trip to the auto shop. While minor repairs may cost you as little as $150, a Hyundai transmission replacement or rebuild can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $8,200.
Hyundai has a reputation for producing reliable, comfortable, and versatile vehicles that meet a wide range of needs. As a result, Hyundai continues to be a popular choice for everyday drivers who need the perfect blend of affordability and reliability. But transmission issues are a common problem for certain models, and recent models have even been recalled for serious transmission malfunctions.
Transmission issues are one of the most stressful car-related issues, but they don’t have to be.
Jerry
, the trusted car insurance
broker, designed to help you save on car ownership costs, is here to help you estimate a potential transmission repair bill and implement a regular transmission maintenance schedule. We’ll cover the basics of transmission repair and maintenance and even give you tips on how to save on Hyundai insurance costs.
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How much does a Hyundai transmission repair cost?
Repairing a Hyundai transmission can cost anywhere from $150 to $4600, depending on what kind of repair you need, where you’re located, and the specific model and manufacture year of your car. Unfortunately, transmission fixes tend to be on the higher side of this spectrum.
It’s no wonder that replacing the transmission in your Hyundai is the most expensive transmission-related service your Hyundai may require. On average, a Hyundai transmission replacement costs between $3,000 and $8,200. Here is a breakdown of popular Hyundai models with their estimated transmission replacement costs:
However, it’s not the only transmission service you could need. Other, less expensive Hyundai transmission services include:
While minor transmission services listed above won’t put a huge dent in your wallet, replacing your Hyundai transmission is one of the most expensive repair jobs. As the average Hyundai transmission is only expected to last around 150,000 to 250,000 miles but has a potential lifespan of up to 400,000 miles, you’ll likely have to weigh in on replacing your Hyundai’s transmission down the line.
What does a transmission do?
You might wonder why replacing the transmission in your car costs so much, but it’s for a good reason. Your transmission is a key part of the powertrain that either automatically or manually shifts gears. This ensures each wheel gets an adequate amount of power to drive at the speed you need.
Most Hyundais come with an automatic transmission, but Hyundai does make four models with a manual transmission if you select the 6-speed option:
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a transmission?
Generally, replacing a transmission is more expensive than repairing it. However, your transmission replacement cost varies depending on the kind of transmission, the model vehicle, and the cost of parts and labor in your area.
Going with an OEM transmission is the most expensive replacement option on the market since it will be at a Hyundai dealership with an OEM part and a Hyundai technician. Contact your local dealer for pricing, but expect to pay on the highest end of the price spectrum.
If that seems too steep, you can opt for a rebuilt, remanufactured, or salvaged transmission for a fraction of the price.
The least expensive option is using a salvaged transmission, which you can find at a junk or salvage yard if you know what to look for. Keep in mind that unless you’re a mechanic, you’ll still need to pay your local auto shop for installation costs, which can cost you an extra $500 to $1000. While this option is less expensive, relying on a used transmission may have you back at your auto shop repairing your transmission sooner than you expected.
Remanufactured transmissions are rebuilt by a team of specialists at a transmission repair facility to OEM standards. Large auto part stores like
Advance Auto Parts
have the best deals on remanufactured transmissions, plus a handy transmission search tool
where you can easily find the correct transmission and price. Keep in mind that these prices do not include installation.A standard rebuilt transmission usually has a starting cost of $2,000 installed but may not last as long as new or remanufactured transmission. Reach out to transmission specialists like
AAMCO
, who work with rebuilt transmissions and offer discounts and warranties
. Does it cost more to repair a manual transmission or an automatic?
Automatic transmissions are generally more complicated and therefore have more components than manual transmissions. This makes repairing an automatic transmission more costly than a manual one.
If you drive a Hyundai with a manual transmission, you can expect to pay almost $1,000 less than its automatic counterpart.
Common Hyundai transmission problems
Transmission problems are relatively common for Hyundais. The most reported problem for the Hyundai Accent is transmission failure, while the Hyundai Sonata, Tucson, and Santa Fe all experience transmission-related engine failures on CarComplaints.com.
General engine and transmission failure are the most common problems, but you may also see these specific transmission-related problems crop up as well:
- Faulty clutch cylinder
- Malfunctioning shift solenoids
- Broken torque converter pump
Transmission problems often start with bad or low transmission fluid. Engine oil may be the lifeblood of your car, but you also need to keep up with regular fluid level checks and yearly transmission fluid flushes to preserve your Hyundai’s transmission and prevent premature failure.
What Hyundai years have the most transmission problems?
As recently as October 6th, 2022, Hyundai filed a recall with NHTSA over an issue with a fail-safe malfunction in the transmission oil pump, affecting over 50,000 vehicles in Hyundai’s 2021-2023 model lineup. Here are the models to watch out for:
- 2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
- 2021-2022 Hyundai Sonata
- 2021-2022 Hyundai Veloster N
- 2022 Hyundai Elantra N
- 2022 Hyundai Kona N
- 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
- 2021-2023 Kia K5
- 2021-2022 Kia Sorento
Signs your Hyundai transmission is going bad
Apart from adhering to a routine schedule of transmission fluid checks and flushes, watch out for these classic signs that something is wrong with your transmission:
- Choppy shifting: Does your Hyundai respond slowly and suddenly jolt forward when accelerating into a new gear? If your gear shifting doesn’t feel fluid, you could be experiencing transmission issues.
- Leaking fluid: If thefluid leaking underneath your carhas a red tinge, you’re probably dealing with a transmission fluid leak.
- Weird sounds in Neutral: If your car is making unfamiliar sounds while in Neutral, this could indicate that something’s up with your transmission.
- A burning smell in the cabin: burning smells inside the cabin are serious signs that you must bring your car to an auto shop ASAP. Burning oil, plastic, or rubber smells may all indicate transmission failure.
- Grinding noises or a shaky vehicle: A faulty transmission can produce many symptoms that make your drive less comfortable, but shaking and grinding are of the most common side effects.
- Check Engine Light or a Transmission Service Light: YourCheck Engine Lightmight appear on your dash because of a very minor issue. Sometimes this light even comes on as a false alarm, especially if you live in a cold climate with an older car. That being said, this warning light is likely to appear if you have an issue with your transmission.
What to do if your Hyundai transmission fails
If your Hyundai transmission fails, you’ll need to bring your car to a local auto shop you trust or the nearest Hyundai dealership for repair. If it fails while driving, remember to stay calm and drive your car to the shoulder on the right-hand side of the road, if possible. Put your hazard lights on and call a tow truck to transport your vehicle.
Bringing your car to a trusted mechanic may mean that you get more personalized service and better deals, but the benefit of bringing your car to a Hyundai dealership instead is that your car will be inspected and repaired by specialists with advanced knowledge about repairing Hyundai transmissions.
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How to maintain your Hyundai transmission
The easiest way to maintain your Hyundai’s transmission is by adhering to a regular transmission fluid check and flush schedule.
One of the most common causes of transmission failure is putting pressure on a transmission without adequate fluid levels or with contaminated fluid. This strains your drivetrain which wears on your transmission. Adopt these easy habits to avoid this issue:
- Every month, take a look at your transmission fluid levels and quality.
- Ensure you’re filling your vehicle with the correct type of transmission fluid. You’ll find this information in your Hyundai owner’s manual.
- If your car is automatic, always make sure you change gears while your car is fully stopped. Changing gears in a moving car puts undue pressure on your automatic transmission.
- Replace the transmission filter regularly.
- Let your car run for a few minutes to warm up the engine before driving it.
- Get an annual transmission inspection.
Keeping a regular transmission maintenance schedule is the easiest way to preserve your Hyundai’s transmission and prolong the overall life of your car.
How to check transmission fluid
If you’re worried about learning to check your transmission fluid, don’t be. It’s just like checking your oil, except your Hyundai should be running during this process. So first, let your car run for a few minutes to allow your transmission fluid to expand. Then, follow these steps:
- Find your transmission fluid dipstick at the back of the engine bay. It looks like your oil dipstick.
- Take the dipstick out and wipe the fluid off with a shop rag. Then, reinsert the dipstick and take it out once more.
- Check the dipstick to ensure the fluid reaches the “warm” line.
- If more fluid is needed, add it slowly and in increments. Check the fluid levels between each increment.
- Once you’re finished, put the dipstick back in place.
Good transmission fluid is transparent and dark red. If your fluid appears brown or black instead, your transmission fluid is contaminated, and you’ll need to bring your car to an auto shop for a transmission fluid flush and filter replacement.
Light pink fluid is a different story entirely. This indicates that your transmission fluid is contaminated by coolant or water, which may mean you need to replace your transmission.
You should be aware that not every Hyundai has a transmission fluid dipstick, especially if it’s a newer model. Instead, the models have a “sealed transmission,” and Hyundai strongly recommends that only certified technicians remove the inspection plug. If you have a model with a sealed transmission, make sure your mechanic checks your transmission fluid at regular tune-up appointments instead of checking it yourself.
MORE:
Hyundai tune up cost
How to save on Hyundai insurance costs
Keeping a
regular maintenance schedule
for your transmission is a great way to prolong your transmission's life and reduce the number of surprise trips you have to make to your mechanic. Keep the savings rolling by reducing your Hyundai ownership costs by shopping for car insurance with Jerry
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