The Hyundai Elantra (also known as the Avante) was first introduced for the 1990 model year and has since spawned seven different generations. It is one of the most successful Hyundai compact cars, and the very latest generation seems to further reiterate that. Over the years, the Elantra has had some transmission-related issues, and it’s an issue that’s shown up in several generations over the years.
This includes going through the latest generations of the Elantra and picking out the most common, most annoying, and most severe transmission issues.
This also includes various official Hyundai technical service bulletins, potential recalls, and everything in between. Before doing so, here is a quick overview of what’s to come.
The 7th generation (2021-present) Hyundai Elantra transmission palette suffers from TCU issues, and issues with the pump. The sixth generation (2015-2020) Elantra transmission palette suffers from transmission refusing to shift out of park, problems with transmission fluid levels/sensors, or excessive vibration. The 5th generation of the Elantra experiences issues with the 6-speed automatic which can slip, be harsh, be stuck in a gear, or refuse to shift at all.
Now it’s time to dig deep into all these one by one as this barely paints the picture of what you can expect while owning a Hyundai Elantra. Read on!
Common Hyundai Elantra Transmission Problems
Seventh Generation Hyundai Elantra (CN7, 2020 – Present)
The seventh-generation Toyota Tacoma uses five different transmissions options:
- CVT Automatic (IVT) (Non-Hybrid)
- 6-Speed dual-clutch automatic (D6KF1) (Hybrid)
- 8-Speed dual-clutch automatic (D8LF1) (N)
- 6-Speed manual transmission (M6GF2 ) (N and N-Line)
- 7-Speed D7UF1 Automatic (N-Line)
Hyundai has always been at the forefront of making continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmissions which is why the newest IVT is the only transmission available for the non-hybrid Elantra. Earlier Hyundai CVT transmissions are no strangers to various issues while the new IVT is widely regarded as fairly reliable, but not perfect. The 6-speed automatic (D6KF1) and the 8-speed (D8LF1) are very much the same stories, but we are going to mention some 8-speed (D8LF1) problems down below.
All in all, the IVT is still a fairly new transmission, so time will only tell if it is as reliable as Hyundai says it is. The 6-speed manual seems to be performing without any serious issues at all while the 7-speed in the Elantra N-Line also seems to be performing fairly well.
IVT (CVT Automatic Transmission)
The IVT CVT Hyundai Smart Stream intelligent transmission didn’t seem to have a particularly intelligent start as many owners reported issues even before the car reached 10,000-20,000 miles. Hyundai officially recognized these issues with a 2020 TSB (20-01-047H) which said that some 2020 Elantra models may experience the check engine light popping up.
After scanning the car for faults, it was later found that the issue was related to an improperly calibrated transmission control module (TCU). Hyundai managed to resolve the issue via a simple update for most examples, but some have gotten brand-new IVT units completely.
6-Speed manual transmission (N/N-Line)
The 6-speed manual transmission in the 2022-2023 Elantra N/N-line does seem to sometimes experience issues with shuddering and being slow to engage from the start, but these are mostly due to the fact these cars are designed for performance rather than comfort. However, one notable problem was outlined by the 22V746000 recall which took place in August 2022, and the 22-AT-009H TSB, both of which pointed towards a faulty transmission oil pump which may require a complete transmission replacement.
Sixth Generation Hyundai Elantra (AD, 2015-2020)
The sixth generation of the Elantra and its transmissions are comparably better than the 5th generation but not as good as the 7th gen Elantra. The A6MF1 could be the most fragile of the bunch, but the DCT also requires more timely maintenance as well. The 6-speed manual is by far the best of the bunch which is often the case with manual transmissions due to their simplicity and dependence on human engagement.
The sixth generation of the Hyundai Elantra uses three different transmissions:
- 6-speed automatic transmission (A6MF1)
- 6-speed automatic transmission (A6GF1)
- 7-speed DCT automatic transmission (D7GF1)
6-speed automatic transmission (A6MF1, A6GF1)
The two 6-speed transmissions with the sixth-generation Elantra seem to be relatively durable, but there are some issues we need to mention. For starters, the most common problems with the A6MF1 are mentioned in the 16-AT-006-1 and the 18-AT-006 bulletin, both of which point towards issues where the 6-speed transmission fails to shift out of park and thus stops you from driving the car. It was later concluded that this issue was due to a bad body control module that needed replacing.
We also need to mention the A6GDF1 16-AT-004 TSB and the 19-AT-010H TSB, both of which say that the A6GDF1 sometimes experiences issues with ATF fluid levels and leaks which can cause degradation of overall shift quality. Moreover, these can also affect the durability of the transmission, so much so that a new transmission might be necessary to solve the issue. (as reported by an owner below)
My 2016 Hyundai Elantra started jerking and losing acceleration power. I got stuck at a stop sign because the car lost the ability to change gears. It felt very unsafe to be stuck in the middle of traffic and have to wave people around my vehicle at night. I’ve taken it to two different mechanics who have both said my vehicle has experienced premature transmission failure due to a factory defect. The car has 90,000 miles. I am a second owner so my warranty ended at 60,000 miles. There was no warning or dash lights. It was very abrupt and unexpected.
Source.
7-speed DCT transmission (D7GF1)
The dual-clutch (DCT) transmission found on the 6th generation of the Elantra is no stranger to issue either and is mostly known to experience problems with abnormal vibrations at lower speeds. Hyundai recognized the issue back in August 2020 when they came out with the 21-AT-013H TSB which led them to a faulty clutch system that needed to be replaced in addition to reprograming the TCU software that came with it.
Fifth Generation Hyundai Elantra (MD/UD 2010-2014)
The 5th generation of the Hyundai Elantra keeps it simple with two transmission options. The manual one is as reliable as it can be which is why it has the least complaints overall, but we do need to point out that it also is the less popular option of the two. The automatic transmission has its fair share of issues, but it should be able to last if you take proper care of it.
The fifth generation of the Hyundai Elantra uses two different transmissions:
- 6-speed manual transmission (M6CF3)
- 6-speed automatic transmission (A6GF1)
6-speed manual transmission (M6CF3)
The 6-speed (M6CF3) manual transmission found in the fifth generation of the Elantra seems to be holding up nicely over the years if not abused and if maintained correctly. We do have to point out that some owners did report problems with the transmission being lazy at times which can be due to overall wear and tear of the transmission as this is mostly reported for higher mileage models from older model years.
6-speed automatic transmission (A6GF1)
The A6GF1 transmission is one of the most problematic transmissions with the Elantra which isn’t ideal as this transmission is available for both the 5th and 6th generation of the Elantra. As mentioned above, the A6GF1 suffers from sometimes needs a complete replacement as the ATF fluids levels can cause it to degrade over time, but the A6GF1 in the 5th generation also seems to be suffering from transmission oil temperature sensor issues which can prompt up the P0711 fault code found in the 14-AT-010 TSB as well. (as reported by an owner below).
Coming home from work on the highway..the transmission shifted a little funny..didn’t really pay it any attention..but soon after the check engine illuminated plugged I’m my diagnostic tool ..po711..trans fluid sensor…my issue this just not my car the dealership knows this sensor goes out and is bad and are making big bucks off the consumer because of this problem..the sensor is known to go out on the elantra model and sonata…if this sensor is not addressed could lead to trans slipping and vehicle not moving at all. *tr
Source.
FAQ Section
How Long Does A Hyundai Elantra Transmission Last?
It isn’t easy to properly pinpoint how long any transmission can last, but you can expect Hyundai manual transmissions to last a really long time if you take proper care of them. The older 6-speed automatic is a bit more fragile, and with proper maintenance, it could last 200,000 miles while the newer 6-speed should also be able to last the same.
The new IVT CVT transmission is still way too new so we can’t really assess how long it should last. DCT transmissions are more or less similar, but 200,000 miles should be more than achievable.
How Much Does A Hyundai Elantra Transmission Cost?
As far as the price of a new Hyundai Elantra transmission is concerned, there is quite a bit of variety between them as outlined in the chart below.
| Model | Cost |
| 6-Speed M6CF3 Manual | $1450 |
| 6-Seed M6GF2 | $2000 |
| 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 |
| IVT Smart Stream CVT | between $1,800 and $3,400 |
Closing Thoughts
In this article, we’ve taken a close look at the Hyundai Elantra’s transmission problems across its recent generations.
From the newest 7th generation facing TCU and pump issues, to the 6th generation battling with sensor glitches and vibration problems, and not forgetting the 5th generation’s notable shifting issues – we’ve delved deep into the Elantra’s transmission troubles.
As we wind up, it’s clear that while the Hyundai Elantra remains a popular choice, it has had its fair share of transmission problems over the years. If you’re thinking about buying an Elantra, keeping these points in mind can help you make an informed decision. Be sure to stay updated with the latest recall and service news to ensure a smooth ride.
Marko´s interest in cars runs in the family. His father was a car trader and regularly took him to car dealerships when he was younger.
These days, when he isn´t watching Drivetribe or Doug DeMuro videos, he´s building up quite a resume as an automotive writer since he´s also a regular contributor on Cararc.com, Tirehungry.com, and Luxurycarsa2z.com.