How many 2012 owners have complained about the transmission to Hyundai?

[roblaw]

I have a 2012 3.8. It seems like almost every professional review of the vehicle, regardless of model (3.8, 4.6, 5.0) mentions the slow downshifting of the new 8 speed auto. It shifts smoothly on the way up but not only does it take a serious kick on the accelerator to get it to downshift at all but it takes a good three beats for the downshift to occur. Often you get far more acceleration than you wanted well after it is it needed. My old 2005 Accord V6 was far more responsive and so is my wife's 2001 Lexus RX 350. To me it is a safety issue and mars the otherwise pleasant drive quality of the car.

Another concern for me that I think is related to the transmission is that I do largely suburban driving and am averaging under 17 miles per gallon and I am not an aggressive driver. I think part of the problem is that the transmission is so eager to stay in a high gear it is constantly lugging around 1200 RPM, putting the engine in a very inefficient part of the rev band (since this engine clearly makes most of it its power much higher in the rev range).

When I mention it to the dealer I get a blank stare since mine is the first 2012 they have seen. I did send an email to Hyundai and got a canned email back essentially apologizing for any inconvenience but neither acknowledging the problem nor giving me an idea when a software update will be coming.

Are there enough 2012 owners out there experiencing this and telling the dealers?

 

[CanukV6]

My 2012 kicks down in a reasonable time, although I agree that it is hard to engage smoothly. I think this is because it is nearly always in 8th gear and drops at least 3 or 4 cogs upon kickdown. Since I am usually only doing this when passing, the surge of acceleration (and it is impressive!) doesn't bother me too much. Around town I have not noticed any problem and from lower speeds I find the transmission drops a gear quite easily & smoothly.

 

[nsanow]

I just picked up my 2012 4.6 two days ago. The dealership gave me a 2010 to drive for a week to see if I wanted that versus the new one. I got the new one for a number of reasons but the tranny was a big part of that.

Like you I am coming to Hyundai from a 2003 Honda Accord V6. So far I have noticed that the drop down in gears is not as fast as I would like it to be. But I have not noticed any lugging or really low gearing. It wouldn't surprise me if there are a few bugs with a new transmission especially developed in house. The good news is we have a killer warranty and since this is such an important halo car for Hyundai I am sure they will address it.

 

[geetee]

did u test drive b4 buying one? if it bothers u that much you should've reconsidered buying it.

as for me, i have zero issues with the transmission. i extensively test drove, and also many other brands before purchasing mine.

perhaps you can ask to test drive other 2012 genesis' at the dealer to see if others have the same issue - yours might be a defective one?? g'luck!

 

[hwks1]

Just had my 7500 mile service. The adviser noted that a 'campaign' was performed to update the transmission software for 'better performance'... not anymore specific than that.

I feel like the car is a bit snappier than it was before (I had no complaints before).. I think it is maybe downshifting quicker. For me it was fine before... its subtle but might be a little better now.

 

[roblaw]

Thanks. I will check.

 

[037]

The tranny is definitely slower than one would expect. If I plan to pass someone I just drop it in manual and put it down in whatever gear I want prior to needing serious power.

This way there are no surprises when I am in fact ready to pass someone.

Definitely curious about this tranny update, will check with dealer next time around.

 

[Dragon64]

Just had my 7500 mile service. The adviser noted that a 'campaign' was performed to update the transmission software for 'better performance'... not anymore specific than that.

I feel like the car is a bit snappier than it was before (I had no complaints before).. I think it is maybe downshifting quicker. For me it was fine before... its subtle but might be a little better now.

This is the first i've heard of a software update for the new 8 speed transmission.
My car was just at the dealers and there was no mention of an update.
I plan on speaking with the service manager tomorrow.

The 8 speed in this car is definitely NOT geared toward performance.

Coming from an M5 to the R Spec takes a bit of an adjustment

Fortunately - Hyundai will have paddle shifters with the new 10 speed transmission coming out. ( at least, that is what some journalists are saying )

Talk is cheap however.......

They are aware of the complaints with the 8 speed.
I am confident they will have it sorted out with the next generation R Spec.
If not - I will look elsewhere.

 

[DeeVa]

I have absolutely no complaints about the transmission. There is a learning process that auto reviewers do not benefit from, but why make your decisions based on what you read? And if you didn't like your test drive, why buy the car?

 

[037]

if the tranny is auto learning, the test drive will definitely not be long enough. Car magazines generally drive the car longer than a test drive.

After putting 6k on my car I can say that the tranny is as slow as it was on day 1, except I've learned to shift for my self well in advance of actually trying to pull a stunt, vs flooring it and hope to time it properly or crash.

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[DeeVa]

if the tranny is auto learning, the test drive will definitely not be long enough. Car magazines generally drive the car longer than a test drive.

After putting 6k on my car I can say that the tranny is as slow as it was on day 1, except I've learned to shift for my self well in advance of actually trying to pull a stunt, vs flooring it and hope to time it properly or crash.

That could be. I have a V8 so I have no issues passing people.

 

[Rey]

I complained to Hyundai; and they gave me a case # referring me to dealer for attention. Took it to dealer; dealer test drove the car with "no problems noted'; and dealer checked with Hyundai tech support to see if there are any software updates. Tech support told dealer that my R-Spec, built July 17, 2011, had latest software installed at factory.

 

[Dragon64]

I have absolutely no complaints about the transmission. There is a learning process that auto reviewers do not benefit from, but why make your decisions based on what you read? And if you didn't like your test drive, why buy the car?

Coming from the E60 ///M5 to the R Spec is a bit of an adjustment

I'm not saying the M5 is better - but geared more toward performance

I happen to enjoy the R Spec - but the transmission needs work

That's a fact

hopefully Hyundai will address it - or I will shop elsewhere in the future

 

[geetee]

you drove the M5 with the horrific SMG and are complainin about the hyundai 8 speed?? seriously??? lol

 

[jmo51]

you drove the M5 with the horrific SMG and are complainin about the hyundai 8 speed?? seriously??? lol

Lol

 

[Dragon64]

you drove the M5 with the horrific SMG and are complainin about the hyundai 8 speed?? seriously??? lol

In terms of PERFORMANCE - yeah I'm complaining
Even with the SMG and it's quirky nature - you get a ton of tricks the Hyundai 8 speed doesn't have.
Rev matching downshifts and paddle shifters for one.
Being able to hold the revs and take a corner without fighting the 8 speeds will to change up a gear.

The Hyundai transmission is not intuitive - not engaging - not sport like at all

If you've never owned an M5 you probably wouldn't understand

With that said -

I chose the R Spec for several reasons, instead of keeping the M5
Repair costs and reliability were becoming a serious issue.
The ride was killing me - not a very comfortable family car at all


The R Spec is more comfortable to drive -
Has more interior room
better gas mileage
no repair issues


The ONLY issue I have is the grandpa kettle 8 speed transmission

it's terrible -

 

[DeeVa]

Hopefully you can muddle through until you find your next car to hate! And you will. That is a fact.

 

[Holdmeback]

I have to agree with Dragon. The transmission sucks. You are in 5th gear going 25 at 1300 rpms, and you have to almost floor it to get the damn thing to downshift. The transmission is seriously holding this car back. I would be willing to bet the drivetrain loss is much higher than average. There needs to be some kind of software update. Hopefully if enough people complain it will happen. I don't know what the people who think there is nothing wrong with this tranny were driving before, but I think you would be just as happy driving a Prius.

 

[Glashub]

Why you guys dumping on Dragon for expressing his valid thoughts? And why the hyperbolic "hate" when it's clear he doesn't hate the car but is not satisfied with the tranny?

 

[Mark_888]

Why you guys dumping on Dragon for expressing his valid thoughts? And why the hyperbolic "hate" when it's clear he doesn't hate the car but is not satisfied with the tranny?

There is not a lot of disclosure on this forum about which members work for Hyundai or its dealers, owns stock in Hyundai, works for a Hyundai supplier, etc. I think that explains some of it, but there are also some people who can't stand the idea that there is something wrong with a car they recently purchased (cognitive dissonance).

"Cognitive dissonance is a condition of conflict or even anxiety resulting from holding conflicting ideas simultaneously. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance. They do this by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Dissonance is also reduced by justifying, blaming, and denying."​