Hyundai Elantra Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids

Hyundai is a South Korean automotive company that exists across the globe and in most renowned countries. Their Elantra (a C-segment sedan) is a reasonably popular vehicle in most developing and developed states. Since 1990, this name tag has provided shelter to 7 different generations, each with a class of its own.

After undergoing profound research, we’ve managed to compile data on different aspects of the transmissions offered in these vehicles.

The first-gen Hyundai Elantra offers a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission. The second-gen has a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions. The third-gen possesses a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission. The fourth-gen has 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual transmissions. The fifth-gen holds 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions. The sixth-gen offers 6-speed automatic and 7-speed DCT transmissions. The latest-gen has a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic, and a 7-speed DCT transmission in store.

We’re now ready to explore the transmissions offered in all generations of Elantra. Their specs, lifetimes, replacements, and known problems/faults are the center of attention in this article. Thus, we’d recommend that you Buckle up!

Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Hyundai Elantra

What Transmission Has the Hyundai Elantra Used?

First Generation (1990-1995)

• 5-Speed Manual
• 4-Speed F4A22 Automatic

Second Generation (1995-2000)

• 5-Speed Manual
• 4-Speed A4AF2 Automatic

Third Generation (2000-2006)

• 4-Speed F4A32 Automatic
• 5-Speed F5M22-2 Manual

Fourth Generation (2006-2010)

• 5-Speed Manual
• 4-Speed A4CF2 Automatic
• 4-Speed F4A42 Automatic

Fifth Generation (2010-2015)

• 6-Speed M6CF3 Manual
• 6-Speed A6GF1 Automatic

Sixth Generation (2015-2020)

• 6-Speed A6MF1 Automatic
• 6-Speed A6GF1 Automatic
• 7-Speed D7GF1 Automatic

Seventh Generation (2020-Present)

• 6-Speed M6CF3 Manual
• 6-Speed D6KF1 Automatic
• 7-Speed D7UF1 Automatic

How Long Does a Hyundai Elantra Transmission Last?

For Elantra, it is suggested that the transmission should last around 150,000-200,000 miles. This is a general case, and these figures may vary depending on usage and other conditions.

Proper care and regular fluid changes are the keys to a healthy, long-lasting transmission. The earlier generations had transmissions that usually lasted around 70,000-130,000 miles, depending on maintenance. Spending on the transmission every once in a while will save you a lot of dollars in the long run. This is why the newer transmissions, with careful management, required fluid levels, and regular servicing can last about the lifetime of your vehicle.

How Much Does a Hyundai Elantra Transmission Cost?

So far, it’s become apparent as a crystal that Hyundai has used various transmissions in the Elantra. Better options are generally provided when a new generation is unveiled. The table below relieves you of the struggle of finding your car transmission’s replacement cost and gives you an idea of what a transmission change could demand. We’ve highlighted each transmission together with its price* that we found through several online retailers.

Model	Cost
4-Speed F4A22 Automatic	$2200
4-Speed A4AF2 Automatic	$1900
4-Speed F4A32 Automatic	$1850
5-Speed F5M22-2 Manual	$1600
4-Speed F4A42 Automatic	$1795
4-Speed A4CF2 Automatic	$2000
6-Speed M6CF3 Manual	$1450
7-Speed D7GF1 Automatic	$2500-3500
6-Speed A6MF1 Automatic	$2100
6-Speed A6GF1 Automatic	$2600
6-Speed D6KF1 Automatic	$2000
7-Speed D7UF1 Automatic	$2500-4000

*These prices do not include the labor cost. If you cannot find your transmission model in this table, you can look it up on Autozone.

Common Hyundai Elantra Transmission Problems

First Gen Transmission Problems (F4A22)

This generation of the car was called the Hyundai Lantra. This vehicle showed a few transmission problems now and then. Some of the more common ones include the following:

• While shifting from second to third gear, the manual transmission makes a grinding noise. This noise is more pronounced in colder environments. Possible reasons include incorrect fluid change and a bad transmission.
• A handful of users reported a slippage issue in the automatic transmission whereby the gearbox kept slipping in and out of drive and the reverse gear became inaccessible.

Second Gen Transmission Problems (A4AF2)

The second generation Elantra came with an improved automatic transmission, the A4AF2. This transmission is derived from the previous F4A22 with necessary enhancements. Despite that, plenty of users faced some common issues with this generation’s transmissions. A few of them include:

• The automatic transmission hesitates to provide power despite moving at highway speeds and the car eventually comes to a stop. This usually happens when the transmission has served its time.
• Some reported an issue where the automatic transmission won’t shift out of Park position.
• The manual transmission gets stuck, and gives jerks; while the engine continues to rev.

Third Gen Transmission Problems (F4A32/F5M22-2)

The third generation of Elantra came with better and improved transmissions. The F4A32 automatic was an enhancement of the automatic transmission offered in the first generation Elantra. However, the transmissions in this generation were loaded with the following issues:

• Different users have faced frequent slippage problems in the automatic transmission. In most cases, it started with the reverse gear and stayed until the transmission went completely out.
• The vehicle would not accelerate as expected. In particular cases, it won’t accelerate at all. This is mostly caused due to a failed pressure control solenoid system.
• The manual transmission gets locked in second gear. In rather extreme cases, the car experiences a frequent loss of power when initial gears are engaged.

Fourth Gen Transmission Problems (A4CF2/F4A42)

Automatic transmissions were more prominent than their manual counterparts in the fourth generation Elantra. The F4A42 was again an improved transmission over the F4A32 offered in the third-gen. Some common problems in these transmissions include:

• The A4CF2 transmission slipped when shifting from second to third gear, especially in cold environments. The transition from Neutral to Reverse was also recorded as sluggish.
• A commonly reported problem with the F4A42 gearbox was that the fourth and reverse gears were unable to be engaged. Ultimately, loss of these gears was also confirmed.

Fifth Gen Transmission Problems (M6CF3/A6GF1)

The fifth generation Elantra came with both automatic and manual transmissions. These came with their fair share of problems. Problems with the automatic transmission include jerks while changing gears, failure to upshift or downshift, loss of power, stuck gearbox positions, etc. The manual transmission was reportedly lagging at times.

Sixth Gen Transmission Problems (A6MF1/A6GF1/D7GF1)

The sixth generation Elantra was primarily offered with automatic transmissions. This generation also came with a DCT gearbox. A variety of users have reported problems with these transmissions. Issues that were commonly felt by the masses are:

• Transmission slipping, accompanied with aggressive roaring of the engine.
• Loss of acceleration and fluctuation in RPMs.
• Delays in shifting and grinding during heavy acceleration.

Seventh Gen Transmission Problems (M6CF3/D6KF1/D7UF1)

The recently launched Elantra offers new technology and style. The car features new transmissions that are expected to have a massive edge over the last generations. Even though known faults/problems with the transmissions are yet to be found entirely, one of the expected problems that could show up in this car is a delay in shifting.

Difference Between Transmissions

The following table compares different features of the main transmissions offered in Elantra throughout its lifetime.

Model	Drivetrain	Maximum Engine Torque	Gross Vehicle Weight
4-Speed F4A22 Automatic	FWD	91.5 lb-ft	3329 lbs.
4-Speed A4AF2 Automatic	FWD	134.2 lb-ft	3715 lbs.
5-Speed F5M22-2 Manual	FWD	107.7 lb-ft	3836 lbs.
6-Speed M6CF3 Manual	FWD	131 lb-ft	3792 lbs.
7-Speed D7GF1 Automatic	FWD	132 lb-ft	3924 lbs.
6-Speed A6MF1 Automatic	FWD	132 lb-ft	3924 lbs.
7-Speed D7UF1 Automatic	FWD	132 lb-ft	3858lbs.

Transmission Fluids and The Hyundai Elantra

The transmission fluid in Hyundai Elantra is recommended to be changed at every 30,000 to 60,000-mile interval. It roughly translates to every 2 to 4 years (considering a 15,000-mile distance per year). This ensures a healthy transmission that could practically stay in good shape for years to come. The recommended transmission fluid for Hyundai Elantra is Dexron VI Full Synthetic ATF.

Sources

• Wikipedia
• Car Complaints
• Engines Work