So how is the 8 speed Hyundai transmission holding up?

[Mark_888]

I had a 2002 TL TypeS. 3 Transmissions in less than 2 years so I traded it in. Although they were highly rated mine was a piece of crap. Had to have the entire car repainted (defective paint) Throttle body needed replacing before 1 year. The drivers side door lock failed and like I said, three transmissions. I did quite a bit of research into this back then and although Honda is a very good reputation, their transmissions are in the Lada league.

Yes the Honda/Acura transmission from about 2002 had a lot of problems. Those problems were fixed and it is now 2016, 14 years later.

The latest Acura transmission problem was on a ZF 9-speed model, usually considered one of the most reliable transmission brands in the world, and used by a lot other car-makers. The 2009-2011 Genesis 4.6 V8 used a 6-speed ZF transmission that was pretty much bullet proof.

The 2009-2011 Genesis 3.8 V6 used an Aisin 6-speed Transmission. Aisin was a joint venture between Toyota and Borg-Warner to build RWD transmissions, and was used on Lexus and other cars. Based on member feedback, this transmission has also proved to extremely reliable.

The 2012 Genesis 8-speed transmission had some "early" problems, and a fair number of them were replaced under warranty (based on member feedback).

 

[amartz]

The 2012 Genesis 8-speed transmission had some "early" problems, and a fair number of them were replaced under warranty (based on member feedback).

+1

 

[TheDr9669]

I've had my 8-Spd a week now and have driven a few miles, (~4k) and so far am fairly impressed. The car has almost 31k miles now. There are a few things I have noticed that I hoped a few of you might have some input on.
The first is the downshift hunting issue. The first time I saw it I thought I was slipping 4th bad. It typically happens when I hit the kick down switch too quickly. I adjusted my throttle technique and it happens no more.
The second issue is an unusually high amount of drag in 1st and 2nd on a lift throttle deceleration @ <1000rpm. Braking levels of drag/deceleration. I believe it to be Hyundai's converter lock programming, possibly for fuel consumption, keeping the converter locked really low. You have to be very gentle with throttle application to not whiplash someone.

Has anyone looked into or done an auxiliary transmission cooler?

 

[Mark_888]

I've had my 8-Spd a week now and have driven a few miles, (~4k) and so far am fairly impressed. The car has almost 31k miles now. There are a few things I have noticed that I hoped a few of you might have some input on.
The first is the downshift hunting issue. The first time I saw it I thought I was slipping 4th bad. It typically happens when I hit the kick down switch too quickly. I adjusted my throttle technique and it happens no more.
The second issue is an unusually high amount of drag in 1st and 2nd on a lift throttle deceleration @ <1000rpm. Braking levels of drag/deceleration. I believe it to be Hyundai's converter lock programming, possibly for fuel consumption, keeping the converter locked really low. You have to be very gentle with throttle application to not whiplash someone.

Has anyone looked into or done an auxiliary transmission cooler?

I am not 100% sure what Genesis you have? Do you still drive the 2011 or do you have a newer model?

The 2011 Genesis has a 6-speed ZF transmission, but sort of sounds like you have a newer Genesis now.

 

[TheDr9669]

I am not 100% sure what Genesis you have? Do you still drive the 2011 or do you have a newer model?

The 2011 Genesis has a 6-speed ZF transmission, but sort of sounds like you have a newer Genesis now.

Sorry, I have not updated my signature yet. My '11 4.6 was laid to rest and I picked up a '14 R-Spec about a week ago. The durability and longevity of the 8spd was something I researched a lot before deciding to get one.

 

[balfor]

Although you have the same transmission, my understanding is the programming and probably the powertrain computer was updated from the 2014 to 2015 Gen 2 version cars. I've not noticed the hesitation or large lag on my 2015 that some people have reported on the Gen 1 boards.

 

[Midnightsun]

Although you have the same transmission, my understanding is the programming and probably the powertrain computer was updated from the 2014 to 2015 Gen 2 version cars. I've not noticed the hesitation or large lag on my 2015 that some people have reported on the Gen 1 boards.

The transmission in the Gen2 is entirely built in house by Hyundai so no relationship to previous models unless I missed the fact they put the same tranny in the 2014.

 

[TheDr9669]

The transmission in the Gen2 is entirely built in house by Hyundai so no relationship to previous models unless I missed the fact they put the same tranny in the 2014.

As I understand, starting with the 1.5 gen, (2012-2014) they all switched to the Hyundai 8spd transmission. I believe the only differences are programming.

 

[Mark_888]

As I understand, starting with the 1.5 gen, (2012-2014) they all switched to the Hyundai 8spd transmission. I believe the only differences are programming.

That is correct:

2009 - 2011 3.8 V6 - Aisin 6-speed. Aisin was a joint venture of Toyota and Borg-Warner to build RWD transmissions for Lexus and many other brands. The have branched out recently into other products.

2009 - 2011 4.6 V8 - ZF 6-speed transmission. ZF is a German company that builds transmission and other automotive systems used in BMW and many other cars. ZF also makes many of the suspension components for the Genesis.

2012 - 2016 (all models) - Hyundai 8-speed transmission. Shift points and other electronic controls vary with engine, trim level, etc. Probably minor tweaking of mechanical parts was done since it first became available in 2012.

 

[Mark_888]

Although you have the same transmission, my understanding is the programming and probably the powertrain computer was updated from the 2014 to 2015 Gen 2 version cars. I've not noticed the hesitation or large lag on my 2015 that some people have reported on the Gen 1 boards.

They make adjustments all the time. Most of the complaints were in the early years of each transmission/engine combination, such as 2012 when the GDI engines and new Hyundai 8-speed were both introduced.

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[Midnightsun]

I am quite surprised as my 2012 compared to my Gen2 are like night and day. Maybe there was something wrong with my 2012? The Gen2 is smooth as butter, not the one in the 2012. It was also actually a bit noisy.

 

[Mark_888]

I am quite surprised as my 2012 compared to my Gen2 are like night and day. Maybe there was something wrong with my 2012? The Gen2 is smooth as butter, not the one in the 2012. It was also actually a bit noisy.

The early Hyundai 8-speed transmissions introduced in 2012 had some problems, and a fair number had to be replaced under warranty.

What model of 2012 did you have? Was it a 4.6 or a 5.0?

 

[amartz]

I am quite surprised as my 2012 compared to my Gen2 are like night and day. Maybe there was something wrong with my 2012? The Gen2 is smooth as butter, not the one in the 2012. It was also actually a bit noisy.

Interesting. Both of my transmissions were so smooth you couldn't hardly tell when they shifted unless you were into the throttle fairly hard. That includes the first one, at least up until the point where it started acting up and needed replaced. And is still the case for it's replacement. Midnightsun, I don't remember if your's was the V8 or the V6, but on my V6, shifting is almost imperceptible, unless you put your foot into it. And then that lusty V6 loves to rev!!

 

[Terry Blow]

My 2013 is great and 30k miles works flawlessly with great DGI v6...running(with traffic) yesterday 90-95 and got 25.4 mpg !

 

[carguy75]

Looks like the 8-speed in house Hyundai built transmission in our cars is holding up pretty well so far. Way before I got my 2015 Genesis I researched common issues and recall seeing a number of 2012 transmission failures on the Gen 1 board, which was the first year of the in-house transmission. Most/all looked to be taken care of under warranty but still scary to see failures on such a key and expensive item.

Since then it looks like problems with this transmission are relatively rare, which is a credit to Hyundai to develop a new and complex 8 speed with apparently good reliability. I've found the transmission to be quite good and am pleased with the performance and shifting so far at 7k miles.

Any issues or comments so far?

From what I read it depends on which model(v6 or v8) you have. The current 2015+ V8 models use the same 8 speed transmission as the Equus which is beefier than the 8 speed automatic used in the V6 models. The older V6 models use a A8LR1 unit I believe, the V8 models use a A8TR1 unit. The A8TR1 has less issues or none at all from what I researched compared to the early A8LR1 units.

My 2015 5.0 8 speed transmission(A8TR1) operates very smoothly with 59k miles on the original transmission fluid. I am not sure what unit the 2015+ v6 models has.

 

[Ragnar]

The trans on our 2016 has been butter smooth ....

 

[1FstYota]

Had a 2012 Gen 1 that I beat the hell out of and it never failed or even feel different. The Gen 2 awd I drive more behaved, and still butter smooth so far.

 

[celltech]

'15 with 5.0 whipping it pretty hard for 15,000 miles. -0- issues with transmission...and I grab the paddles and throw the shifter into manual all the time. My biggest complaint would be in how slow it shifts. But it's not a sports car...

 

[Gen127]

My biggest complaint would be in how slow it shifts. But it's not a sports car...

Akin to complaining that a sub-compact two-seater car isn't roomy enough for four. I consider the Gen 2nd 5.0/G80 a large luxury sedan with some performance—NOT a true sports car by any reach. I wanted a 'sportier' luxury sedan (coming from a definitely non-sporty Volvo S80 T6), a comfortable, quiet ride with plenty of bells & whistles, that has enough oooomph to move out when needed. The 5.0 does all of that quite well. Along with an über-smooth transmission.

 

[carguy75]

Akin to complaining that a sub-compact two-seater car isn't roomy enough for four. I consider the Gen 2nd 5.0/G80 a large luxury sedan with some performance—NOT a true sports car by any reach. I wanted a 'sportier' luxury sedan (coming from a definitely non-sporty Volvo S80 T6), a comfortable, quiet ride with plenty of bells & whistles, that has enough oooomph to move out when needed. The 5.0 does all of that quite well. Along with an über-smooth transmission.

Well said. The Genesis 5.0 performs very nice for what it is, a luxury grand touring sedan. It is too large and heavy to be considered a true sports car or even sports sedan. But the Genesis does blends comfort and performance quite well considering the price. Most other cars that performs and ride similar to the Genesis 5.0 sedan costs about $80k or more.