Harsh Down Shift?

[Admin1]

Is there any one that has a 2009 Hyundai Sonata that has a very harsh down shift? More from 3rd to 2nd or from 2nd to 1st? I have been seeing a few of these latly. Reports would be very helpfull. Thank you!

[nitewolfgtr]

not sure about downshift but I noticed a harsh upshift from 1st to 2nd as I was pulling into parking lot. it was so harsh that it almost gave me a whiplash. Seems to occur rarely. I told the dealer about it and they said its something to do with Sonata's adaptive logic transmission or some sort and if I ever change the way I drive, it needs some time to learn so would shift harsh.

[Admin1]

There is some truth to that! But this is a very harsh down shift from mostly 2nd to 3rd. I have seen a few of these.

[bpnorr]

My 09 Sonata 4 cyl has a very unforgiving tranny. If you do anything out of the ordinary, it will result in a jerk or pop. A lot of times the first shift from 1st to second is rough after sitting for a while. I have also had hard down shifts. When rolling up to a turn, if you do not stop completely, you may get a big jerk as it changes to a lower gear. What ac shame for Hyundai to produce a great car with a cheap tranny. The transmission and the Navigation really cancels out the good points of the car. The dealer said he adjusted the shift points on the transmission but to no good. I think it will take a software update to fix the problem if it can be fixed. This tranny is Jeckyl and Hyde, sometimes it shifts good and another time it shifts like a junker. Another problem is that my Hyundai dealer, Weisner in Conroe, has no service and uses their GM dealers service dept. Nuff said!

[Admin1]

I will agree with you. The Sonata has a very strange tranny shift! Here is what I have seen. Sonata coming to a slow stop, when the car shits down from 2nd to 1st you get a very harsh down shift. Not every time you come to a stop but 3 out of 5 times. At first we were told to clear the adaptive learn values. It will fix the car for a week or so but it will come back. So the last two we have seen we have put new transmissions in them! Fixed them!! Now I dont know if this is what you got going but it sure does sound like it! This is only on the 4cly. Now last friday Hyundai posted a new recall on the 2010 Sonata for a ECM/TCM update! I do beleive there is software to update this concern! but its funny its only for 2010! humm...

[bpnorr]

I don't know if Wiesner can or will fix the problem. They seem to be totally confused or just lost. They say they do not have the dvd for the Nav update, they hear no noise from the suspension, the tranny they just say they adjust it. I almost feel iit is a waste of my time to take the car to them. The Hyundai dealer is good but the GM service part of Weisner leaves something to be desired. I might have to take it to another dealer. Any suggestions?

[Admin1]

I would find another dealer! There is no adjustment on that transmission. It does not sound like they did anything to your car!

[riceR]

yeah, it seems to shift a little harsh every once in a while... The "learning process" is slow. My only complaint is that I'd wish the so called "sport-mode" would respond/shift into gear faster.

[Pulse Red GTO]

Mine has done this since day one! I did take it in on my first oil change and they said there was a ECM or some kind of update to the computer. It seems to help there for a while, but lately it is horrible!!! I will have to say it is a HUGH difference than our 08 Altima, it has the CVT tanny in it & you never feel it shift, b/c it really dont it is amazing!!

[Admin1]

This is been along waiting TSB for shift quality for the 2009 4cly ECM/TCM update. Lets just see if it works. I will report back. :woot:

TSB Shift feel (http://www.myhyundaiforums.com/10-AT-007.pdf)

[Admin1]

Have updated two cars this morning. Both cars had a very harsh down shift from second to first. Both cars now shift great now. So I can say this update works pretty good so far.

[nitewolfgtr]

I'm curious as to why the TSB is only for 4 cyl Sonata... doesn't the V6 and 4 cyl version have the same transmission? If so, why release TSB for just the 4 cyl...

[Admin1]

Well they do have the same transmission. But they use different software. There is a reflash for the 09 3.3 For "TCM CALIBRATION UPDATE(UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT)" (http://www.myhyundaiforums.com/09-AT-005.pdf)Now I don't if this will help you out. What does yours do?