2012 automatic transmission shifting issues

[cookmd]

Hello all, I'm looking for some help regarding a dangerous (albeit intermittent) issue I'm having with my 2012 3.8 v6 sedan.

A few months ago, I started noticing an issue in which the transmission would not shift smoothly to the next gear at around 25mph. Originally, it only seemed to have issues when it rained, but now it seems to happen regardless of weather conditions. I don't think this is related to the general lack of smoothness in shifting that I've read about on the forums here.

Typically, the transmission will shift smooth enough for a few days, but then shifting gets progressively more rough over a couple days until the car shudders to the point that it's physically painful. After that, it seems to return to normal for a few days, thus restarting the vicious circle. I did notice that the car will sometimes hit 3500 RPM before it finally engages the next gear (2nd or 3rd?)

I've taken it to the dealership twice, but they have been "unable to duplicate the issue" both times. (Bob Howard Hyundai, South OKC) - Most of the time their service is solid, so I don't think they're being malicious in saying they can't duplicate the issue.

Anyone have any recommendations/ideas?

 

[craigt]

Is this something that is easily recordable via a mobile phone video recorder?

 

[cookmd]

I may be able to get the wife to record it while I'm driving. it only happens every week and a half or so though, and the major shudder only happens once before returning to normal for a few days.

 

[craigt]

Perhaps find a convenient place to mount your phone in the car that will be able to capture the event. Always have it rolling when you're driving. When it happens, you'll have it and show it to the dealer.

The advent of video in mobile phones has been a boon to providing dealership techs information they need when the issues won't repro in person (which always happens).

Good luck!

 

[amartz]

I did notice that the car will sometimes hit 3500 RPM before it finally engages the next gear (2nd or 3rd?)

That's the part I was looking for. You've got a new transmission in your future. Same thing happened to me, at about 25K miles. Typically between 4th and 5th gear for me, although sometimes between 2rd and 3rd. The transmission lets go of the lower gear, and then takes way to long before grabbing the next gear. And you could see the tach jump, typically to 3500 to 4000 rpm before it grabbed the next gear, which makes for a very rough engagement.

It got to the point where the dealer didn't have any trouble duplicating the symptom. They tried resetting the tranny computer first, that didn't help. If anything, it made it worse. They finally replaced the tranny under warranty, and never could tell me exactly what was wrong with the old one. Since then, it has been flawless.

 

[cookmd]

They reset my tranny computer as well, and that didn't fix the issue for me either.

I'm kind of hoping that it'll get worse so they can diagnose/experience/replace it, but I've only got another 17k miles or so before the 60k warranty ends. Having bought it used, I don't think the 100k warranty was transferable was it?

 

[amartz]

For me, I'm guessing it was over a period of less than 5K miles between when I first started to notice it, and when it was bad enough to convince the dealer tech that something was wrong. You're at least on file now as having said you're experiencing a problem, along with your current mileage. I think that counts for something. I wouldn't baby it.

 

[cookmd]

I've taken it in twice now and they haven't been able to duplicate the issue either time. Currently they're replacing the door actuators. Maybe they'll see the issue this time around when they test drive it...

 

[amartz]

For me it was most noticeable in the 3-4 or 4-5 gear upshift, at about 1/3 to 1/2 throttle. I had the tech drive it that way, and he eventually agreed, there was a problem. Tell them to watch the tach, for it to jump or spike during the shift.

 

[Gunkk]

Buy an extended hyundai protection plan warranty. then you're good to 100k.

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[cookmd]

Great news! I was able to record the tachometer spiking and show the videos to the service tech. We then took a test drive and the car duplicated the issue. They had to order a new tranny and it should be installed by the end of the week. Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

 

[Mav9567]

Great news! I was able to record the tachometer spiking and show the videos to the service tech. We then took a test drive and the car duplicated the issue. They had to order a new tranny and it should be installed by the end of the week. Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

I was wondering if this took care of your issues and if they end up saying what they found? I have the same issue and have been in about 5 times on it and they can never see it happening. I have videos of it. It will work perfect them for a day it will jerk me all over the place then go back to being fine. They flashed my computer as well at around 75k but I still get the issue and I am starting to get very frustrated because I will get up to 5000rpm sometimes before shifting. I actually have to let off the gas because my car won't shift properly when it does this and seems to be in that same area of between gear 2-4 20-45 mph. I would love to say look into this case where they replaced a transmission that had the same issue to see if they can see what was causing it.

 

[Jon Jackson]

This. I was just approve for a new transmission for my 12' spec. Now I am waiting for approval for an engine replacement.

 

[kmramani]

Just dropped off my 2012 3.8 tech (68000 mi) with the dealer today for this issue. The dealer was able to replicate the problem a few months ago and flashed the tranny computer which fixed it for a while. Problem started again sporadically about 2 months ago. The car shifts hard from 2nd to 3rd and 4th to 5th gear for a few days and then it's fine for weeks before the problem re-occurs. Will see what the dealer says this time.

 

[sdrone]

Wow. I came here to ask about this exact problem.

In July, I bought a 2013 Genesis v6 sedan. i decided that I'd do the dealer services for a couple of years and see how it went.

On January 15, I took the car in for it's 30k miles service.

On the way home I IMMEDIATELY noticed a shifting problem, but it's a very short hop from that dealer to an expressway, so I didn't notice it a lot. Next day I ran errands. Most of the problem was centered around 3rd gear. Mostly shifting into, but also shifting out of, 3rd gear, the transmission would get hung up. The engine would rev over 1000rpm before it finally grabbed the next gear.

That night as I was running an errand, I did the "use the manual shifter to work up to 5th gear and back down to 1st gear" while you're driving. The transmission stopped having shifting issues.

It was fine until this Saturday, January 30th. I started seeing the problem AGAIN on either side of 3rd but ALSO between 4th and 5th gear, and once between 5th and 6th gear. I did the manual-shift thing, but this time it had no effect. once I knew it was happening I started watching the tach and it moves as much as 1500 rpm between gears.

Wow. A new transmission. that's discouraging. (my used vehicle is Hyundai certified, so I've got about 6k left on the bumper to bumper and then the drivetrain warranty is to 100k.) Or maybe the bumper to bumper is more - can't remember.

Guess I need to start carrying the GoPro with me. It was VERY suspicious that it started the moment I left the dealer after the 30k service.

 

[kmramani]

Update - the dealer is installing a new transmission authorized by corporate. Will get the car back in 2 weeks.

 

[sdrone]

Wow. 2 weeks. Wonder why a transmission takes that long...

I had not seen my problem since Saturday, but the dealer was able to reproduce it on a test drive yesterday. They want to see me again next week after talking to Hyundai.

 

[Mav9567]

Well my issue is I can't get it to occur when they have it. They tell me that they are not hearing this through service and they say mine is the only one making this complaint in Indy.

 

[sdrone]

Keep your cameraphone handy. Do some test runs with the phone seeing both the tach and the road. I was holding mine right in front of my chest.

 

[kmramani]

Apparently reconditioned trannys are back ordered for 5-6 weeks and the new one is being shipped from CA. Gave me a loaner for now, Santa Fe not a new Genesis

Wow. 2 weeks. Wonder why a transmission takes that long...

I had not seen my problem since Saturday, but the dealer was able to reproduce it on a test drive yesterday. They want to see me again next week after talking to Hyundai.