Transmission flush and instant failure leaving the dealership

[dmcmi53]

Hey everyone,

On Friday, I brought my 2015 genesis 5.0 w/80k miles into the dealer to complete an oil change as well as a routine transmission flush. I brought the car in at 7am and the vehicle was ready at 11:30am. They recommend what I need to do the next time, I pay the bill and drive off.

Trouble happens instantly. As soon as I left the dealership I felt that shifting was off. I thought maybe new ATF causes odd shifting or its just me being overly cautious. So, the light turns green, I make a right on the highway and the car barely tops over 30mph. I pull over, I slapped it in manual mode to see which gear it's in and its 5th. So I call the dealership, they pick me up (just a couple miles down the road), said they'd have the car towed back to the dealership, and in the meantime I can use their loaner car. They said that it's probably due to the flush machine putting 'air' in the lines (something like that. They never really explained what air into what part).
Around 3 o'clock the following day they call me to inform me that the transmission is totalled and they'll be installing a new one. The good news is they didn't try to haggle me on who's fault it is (as of right now no issue) and said they will cover all cost for a new transmission.
They said they checked over everything they did and stated they didn't do anything out of the normal.
He quickly mentioned that it must've been on it's way out before I brought it in.

Could a transmission be on the brink of failure and I not be aware of it while driving?
I've had a transmission ifailure on an old 97 explorer and I have a pretty good feeling on a transmission that is failing so I'm curious is there something I'm missing or the dealership that could of caused such a dramatic failure?

Also, anyone have anyideas how long I'm going to be without my car? I suspect its going to be a few months since there's no time line for when they'll get a new transmission in.

 

[EdP]

Hey everyone,

On Friday, I brought my 2015 genesis 5.0 w/80k miles into the dealer to complete an oil change as well as a routine transmission flush. I brought the car in at 7am and the vehicle was ready at 11:30am. They recommend what I need to do the next time, I pay the bill and drive off.

Trouble happens instantly. As soon as I left the dealership I felt that shifting was off. I thought maybe new ATF causes odd shifting or its just me being overly cautious. So, the light turns green, I make a right on the highway and the car barely tops over 30mph. I pull over, I slapped it in manual mode to see which gear it's in and its 5th. So I call the dealership, they pick me up (just a couple miles down the road), said they'd have the car towed back to the dealership, and in the meantime I can use their loaner car. They said that it's probably due to the flush machine putting 'air' in the lines (something like that. They never really explained what air into what part).
Around 3 o'clock the following day they call me to inform me that the transmission is totalled and they'll be installing a new one. The good news is they didn't try to haggle me on who's fault it is (as of right now no issue) and said they will cover all cost for a new transmission.
They said they checked over everything they did and stated they didn't do anything out of the normal.
He quickly mentioned that it must've been on it's way out before I brought it in.

Could a transmission be on the brink of failure and I not be aware of it while driving?
I've had a transmission ifailure on an old 97 explorer and I have a pretty good feeling on a transmission that is failing so I'm curious is there something I'm missing or the dealership that could of caused such a dramatic failure?

Also, anyone have anyideas how long I'm going to be without my car? I suspect its going to be a few months since there's no time line for when they'll get a new transmission in.

Given the fact they were so quick to put in a new trans, good chance they know the real cause. Chances are, they did something stupid. I'd like to see the ATF fluid and see it is is oil or anti freeze or some other dumb mistake.

No idea of the timing. Since it is a few years old they may have on in the US someplace.

 

[dmcmi53]

Given the fact they were so quick to put in a new trans, good chance they know the real cause. Chances are, they did something stupid. I'd like to see the ATF fluid and see it is is oil or anti freeze or some other dumb mistake.

No idea of the timing. Since it is a few years old they may have on in the US someplace.

As far as mixing fluids I did ask them this question and he assured me they put in the right fluid but we both know how much truth we can trust. I give them the benefit of the doubt but still suspicious.

As far as quickness it took them about 28hrs before they got back to me. This was after I called a couple times the evening of the incident and then the following morning.

I forgot to mention that they seen transmission fluid where it wasn’t before after they had it towed in. So, I believe this was the reason why they accepted fault but not sure.

 

[Scott A]

If they are giving you a new Tranny, it kind of matters not what they did.

But, it sure gives pause to having a third party do the transmission flush. I was lucky on my 2013 with an Independent, the flush was successful. This guy was one of those top tier mechanics. I am not sure I am willing risk that again. I do know about 50,000 or 60,000 miles I am going to have the dealership do the flush.

 

[princelybug]

• Flush = No
• Drain/Fill = Yes

 

[dmcmi53]

If they are giving you a new Tranny, it kind of matters not what they did.

But, it sure gives pause to having a third party do the transmission flush. I was lucky on my 2013 with an Independent, the flush was successful. This guy was one of those top tier mechanics. I am not sure I am willing risk that again. I do know about 50,000 or 60,000 miles I am going to have the dealership do the flush.

Absolutely true, it doesn't matter since they are taking care of it. I was asking just so I could understand the mechanics of the failure more. The service rep mentioned something about a filter failing but I didn't press for clarity.

Also, this was at a dealership and they've been really nice about the experience so I'm not stressing over it. I feel like I'm in good hands.

 

[Scott A]

From what I understand, a Flush can dislodge "sludge" and debris as it pushes the fluid through the transmission. Basically, they are using the internal pumping mechanisms in the unit to push or suck the fluid out the same lines that connect to the transmission cooler. The passages in the transmission are tiny and can get very easily clogged. When fluid is not flowing, the tranny can get "stuck" in a gear and possibly burn a clutch pack (they are really just paper disks that gets saturated with fluid). I think the reason why my fluid change was successful is my guy actually dropped the pan and removed the fluid that way. You have to actually swap the pan to change the filter as it is permanently attached. So, he did not perform a "flush" but more a drain and replace of the fluid. Note the Pan was about $170.

Back to why they are replacing and not rebuilding your transmission, there is probably no rebuild kit made. Hyundai/Genesis/Kia Transmissions are made in house. That 27 hours was probably made up of some unit inspection and a bunch of phone calls to figure out what to do.

 

[redneck]

does it not have a 10 yr 100,000 mile power train warranty? if so they are not doing anything special for you but warranty work

 

[5.0KDM]

From what I understand, a Flush can dislodge "sludge" and debris as it pushes the fluid through the transmission. Basically, they are using the internal pumping mechanisms in the unit to push or suck the fluid out the same lines that connect to the transmission cooler. The passages in the transmission are tiny and can get very easily clogged. When fluid is not flowing, the tranny can get "stuck" in a gear and possibly burn a clutch pack (they are really just paper disks that gets saturated with fluid). I think the reason why my fluid change was successful is my guy actually dropped the pan and removed the fluid that way. You have to actually swap the pan to change the filter as it is permanently attached. So, he did not perform a "flush" but more a drain and replace of the fluid. Note the Pan was about $170.

Back to why they are replacing and not rebuilding your transmission, there is probably no rebuild kit made. Hyundai/Genesis/Kia Transmissions are made in house. That 27 hours was probably made up of some unit inspection and a bunch of phone calls to figure out what to do.

arent these the same transmissions bmw uses or is that only the awd diffs

 

[dmcmi53]

From what I understand, a Flush can dislodge "sludge" and debris as it pushes the fluid through the transmission. Basically, they are using the internal pumping mechanisms in the unit to push or suck the fluid out the same lines that connect to the transmission cooler. The passages in the transmission are tiny and can get very easily clogged. When fluid is not flowing, the tranny can get "stuck" in a gear and possibly burn a clutch pack (they are really just paper disks that gets saturated with fluid). I think the reason why my fluid change was successful is my guy actually dropped the pan and removed the fluid that way. You have to actually swap the pan to change the filter as it is permanently attached. So, he did not perform a "flush" but more a drain and replace of the fluid. Note the Pan was about $170.

Back to why they are replacing and not rebuilding your transmission, there is probably no rebuild kit made. Hyundai/Genesis/Kia Transmissions are made in house. That 27 hours was probably made up of some unit inspection and a bunch of phone calls to figure out what to do.

Interesting stuff. I was charged for a transmission kit and figured that was the pan.

I wasn’t expecting a rebuild nor would I want one if that’s not a common thing they do. I’ll just have to wait and see if it’s going to be a rebuild or a new transmission. Here’s to hoping it’s a new one and they get an eta.

Till then they gave me a 2015 sonata

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[Scott A]

arent these the same transmissions bmw uses or is that only the awd diffs

All the Marketing Materials state that these are "In House" transmissions.

 

[Aquineas]

arent these the same transmissions bmw uses or is that only the awd diffs

Only for the 6 speed pre-2012 models. The 6 speed used on the V8 prior to 2012 is a ZF. The 6 speed used on the V6 from before 2012 is made by Aisin (yep, that same Aisin Toyota Chaebol Keiretsu) if I recall correctly.

 

[5.0KDM]

Only for the 6 speed pre-2012 models. The 6 speed used on the V8 prior to 2012 is a ZF.

thank you i was thinking the 8spd in my 2015 was zf

 

[Aquineas]

thank you i was thinking the 8spd in my 2015 was zf

I think Hyundai gave it serious consideration, and it may have even shown up on some pre-introduction press-releases and interviews (along with the 10 speed that we never got and the 5.5L Tau). In the end though, I think it came down to $$$.