Thanks for posting your experience with the DCT issue.. Glad it was resolved for you..!

 

Great they advised you via BlueLink to get it looked at.
+1 for technology!

 

When technology fixes or avoids the problem.. Then I will celebrate

 

Yes, indeed!

 

thx??

 

Makes me wonder if the issues I have had with the engine reving when I am slowing down, or sometimes wondering why the car is not shifting when it should. Or lately starting from a stand still I have had the car stall trying to get moving. Like you, I just figure it was my driving. But makes me wonder is it really me or not? Bluelink hasn't said anything is wrong yet. Thanks for the info. Will keep an eye on it. Makes me a little nervous I am going to go on a trip in a week across country.

-Scott-

 

I had a firmware update during my last service that they said was to resolve a problem where the car might stall trying to take off, so it sounds like your problem. Get in to a *good* dealer and see if they can update your EMS.

 

If you are not sure, I would take it in and have service check it. Mine acted up for quite a while before I got a notice from Bluelink. Stalling on start is a classic symptom when trying to start a manual transmission in 2nd gear. It always performed better in sport mode, but I think that was just compensating for the failed gear.

I feel like I have a new car and am not sure now why I didn't get it checked sooner. The car I traded for the Kona had some serious issues and that dealer's service department made me feel like an idiot for complaining about it. I know that I didn't want to go down that road again; however, Hyundai handled it wonderfully. They gave me a 2019 Tucson to drive while they got a new part from Korea. They said there was not a transmission anywhere in the US. I cannot say enough positive about the experience, in spite of the fact that I had to take a new car back for a major repair.

 

My 2019 Kona is getting a new transmission this week for similar problems. Hope it resolves the issue like yours.
If you are not sure, I would take it in and have service check it. Mine acted up for quite a while before I got a notice from Bluelink. Stalling on start is a classic symptom when trying to start a manual transmission in 2nd gear. It always performed better in sport mode, but I think that was just compensating for the failed gear.

I feel like I have a new car and am not sure now why I didn't get it checked sooner. The car I traded for the Kona had some serious issues and that dealer's service department made me feel like an idiot for complaining about it. I know that I didn't want to go down that road again; however, Hyundai handled it wonderfully. They gave me a 2019 Tucson to drive while they got a new part from Korea. They said there was not a transmission anywhere in the US. I cannot say enough positive about the experience, in spite of the fact that I had to take a new car back for a major repair.

 

Good to know info. People who have issues should post.

I had the stall trying to take off just once. It was when I first backed out of the garage into the street and started to go. If it happens again I'm sure to go to the dealer. I appreciate all the post from people who keep us informed.

 

That is the issue I am having with mine of the same year and engine!!! I will be taking it in this week! BlueLink has not notified me of anything. Started happening right at 4,500 miles.

 

Just wanted to give an update. I brought the car in for its 12K service yesterday. I mentioned to the dealer about my shifting issues and the car bucking or stalling when starting (mostly from hills, but not always). I mentioned the firmware update.

Well, turns out when the technician even went to bring the car in the shop, it stalled for him when trying to start from a stop (it is a completely flat parking lot). Usually my luck is they can never experience what I do. So they looked deeper, and it appears that one of the clutches is warn down. I believe he said down to 6% left. They even talked with Hyundai Engineering. I had asked what could I have done to cause this (the car only has 12K miles on it). They said they didn't know and even engineering didn't know how it could wear down that much that fast.

So anyway, they are putting in a new clutch package. They will have it a few days since they have to take the transmission completely out to perform the repairs.

I will let you know if this actually resolves my issues.

-Scott-

 

Status update: The dealer had no idea how to repair, I suggested the firmware update but they said they had to go with what the Techline says, so here I am in a rental while waiting for a new transmission to arrive from Korea....

 

I've had my 2019 Ultimate for 5 months and it's had clutch/transmission issues. Like the others, when you start to accelerate mine seemed to be going from 1st to 3rd and would actually stall, a few times the car stalled and the engine revved because I was still trying to accelerate. Serious safety concern! They've reprogrammed the transmission, didn't fix it. Now they are saying they need to replace the clutch but they are trying to get the whole transmission replace. I'm looking at possibly another month in a rental. I love this car but it's had problems!

 

Just got my 2019 Kona Ultimate with FWD back from the having the dual clutch transmission replaced. I wanted to share the experience with all of you, since there has been some discussion about the way the DCT is different from a normal transmission with a torque converter.

First, I am not a car expert and I picked the Kona for its sporty feel, small footprint and solid tech package. I loved the way it drove coming off the lot, but did start noticing early on that the transmission didn't drive like I am used to. I read on this forun and from other sources that the DCT is unique, so I chalked up my uneven starts, delayed acceleration and engine revving to my own sorry driving. The problems got worse and I was finding myself slowing down in the middle of busy intersections with a revving engine. Then about a month ago, with under 4K on the odometer, I got an email from Hyundai Blue Link with the subject 'AUTOMATIC DTC Notification' and a message warning of 'A possible condition with your Transmission Control System....A full system check is recommended...' You get the idea.

After a trip to the dealership and 3 weeks in a loaner, I have a car that functions better than it ever did. No more hesitations on start. Shifting is perfectly smooth and acceleration is so quick that I forget to put it into Sport mode. According to the paperwork they gave me, the transmission was not entering 1st or 5th gears. Looking back, the behavior was exactly like driving a manual transmission and trying to start in 2nd gear.

If any of you are having similar issues, I strongly recommend that you have the transmission checked. When it works, it is fabulous. No more complaints here.

My Limited does t even have 1500mi on it yet and is having the exact same issues. Hesitated and really sluggish from takeoff and almost feels as if it’s flooding. If I step on the gas more it really bogs down but if I accelerate very slow it will finally shift. I also got a check engine light and a BlueLink email stating Automatic DCT Notification.
I took it to the closest Hyundai dealership and they couldn’t get to it for, what they said, was five days. Sure enough as I drove it to the dealership it started shifting fine and the Check Engine Light went out. But again today the issue came back. After reading this post, I guess I just need to drop it off and let them have it for a while. A real disappointment, having less than 1500miles, but I can’t drive it with any confidence right now.

 

My Limited does t even have 1500mi on it yet and is having the exact same issues. Hesitated and really sluggish from takeoff and almost feels as if it’s flooding. If I step on the gas more it really bogs down but if I accelerate very slow it will finally shift. I also got a check engine light and a BlueLink email stating Automatic DCT Notification.
I took it to the closest Hyundai dealership and they couldn’t get to it for, what they said, was five days. Sure enough as I drove it to the dealership it started shifting fine and the Check Engine Light went out. But again today the issue came back. After reading this post, I guess I just need to drop it off and let them have it for a while. A real disappointment, having less than 1500miles, but I can’t drive it with any confidence right now.

Bluelink? That means america...

Does your state have lemon law?

 

Yes, but I have to allow the dealer a “reasonable number of attempts to fix it.”
I’ll be documenting all of this for sure. This is my first Hyundai, and so far I’m not impressed.

 

When I found out I needed a new transmission, I also thought I had a 'lemon.' The service manager was very nice, but he said they had to fail at fixing the problem before it could be considered a lemon. I had a car to drive, so was not really inconvenienced (except for a little time). It took a couple of weeks to get the transmission from Korea. All that said, I have been very happy with the repair. They nailed it in one. The car drives so much better that I hardly notice it is a DCT.
If it goes bad again, that's another discussion. Will keep you updated.

 

Another update... I am still in a loaner while they work on my car. It has gone from replacing the clutch package to now they are putting in a new transmission. Hopefully I will have my car in working order next week.

This is also my first Hyundai. I will wait and see how this plays out. I am not going to be happy if I am constantly having transmission issues. Time will tell.

I am a little nervous with in theory getting my car back next week with a new transmission in it, and then less than a week later I am scheduled to travel 2000 miles in the car for a trip to see family. Do new transmissions need a break in period? I don't want to be stranded and have issues that far from home.

 

It may depend on how good the service department is, but I have had my new transmission for over a month and no issues with it. Smooth as silk from the beginning.
That said, I have noticed a bit less MPG. It feels like they bumped up the idle speed, which is helping with take off, especially on hills. Would be interested to know if they do that with yours as well.

 

DCT in the Kona is ln a learning mode for the first 1K miles. it is in the owners manual.

In my 2018, i never experienced any of the issue some of the 2019 owners are having. I hope it is not a regression? The 1.8T in the Tucsons have similar issues.

 

Update, Dropped the Kona off on Monday explaining the issues. No call from them all week. I called on Wednesday. Answer was they are still conferring with engineering. Called again today (Saturday). Service manager said they believe it is the actuator motor in the DCT. They could not get any shipping information on the actuator motor so Hyundai ordered a whole new transmission. Transmission is expected to be delivered Aug 6th and should have the car back by the 8th-10th. So less than 1500miles, yes 1500, not 15,000, and I need a new transmission. Not very happy with my first Hyundai purchase.

 

Too bad you’re experiencing this defect on your new purchase... Hopefully it will get done quickly and you’re new car experience will be enjoyable again.
Meanwhile... Enjoy the rental car... the only true all terrain vehicle..

 

Just a note from someone who sold his 2014 Veloster with DCT. From the day I bought it used it heaved, skipped, lurched, and groaned during low speed,or going up an incline. I watched the Youtube videos on how to save the clutch packs on DCT's by not creeping in low gear, etc. I put 20k miles on it very, very gently over 3 yrs. Traded it in for a Kona SEL with a regular torque converter automatic and am so thrilled not to have to deal with the DCT anymore. It's a computer driven, automated manual which makes predictions as to what gear to shift into. Most times it makes this decision correctly, but there is one thing that i discovered seemed to always upset the DCT. when slowing down to stop at a light, but the light turns green at the last moment, if i step hard on the accelerator the DCT would lurch, obviously not anticipating the correct gear. The revs would go up, and the car would not!
If you bought the turbo DCT model of the Kona, I suggest you watch the Youtube videos on what not to do on a DCT car, however the drivetrain is covered up to 10yr/100000 so getting a replacement tranny is not as frightening as if you had a focus/fiesta powershift DCT.

 

As with most, if not all technology, things improve with time.

 

The DCT program of the Kona had improved. I had none of the issues you have experienced. You should have tried the DCT in the Kona just to compare.

 

I couldn't afford to move up to the next level, so it wasn't an option, but since the warranty is so good, I wouldn't be to worried about the turbo failing, or the DCT problems. There is still a class action lawsuit on the 7 speed DCT, admittedly an older design which really worried me. Then I watched many youtube videos like Scotty Kilmer, etc who said to stay away from them. Your point is valid.

 

I have had the new transmission for 2 months, now. Absolutely no more issues. I don't drive it any differently than previous automatics and seldom even think about the transmission anymore. I still think that any issues could be symptoms of a manufacturing problem and not the design.

 

I just got the DCT warning. We have maybe 1100 miles on the car...it's not even a month old.

 

 

Dont know if they made any changes to the 2019 models? They seem to have lot more issues with the DCT than 2018.

 

Judging by the number of people with Kona's with the DCT's reporting serious problems on this forum (with extremely low miles), I would be extremely wary of buying those models. Even if the technology has improved over the last few years, it appears that DCT's (DSG, Powershift) transmissions are not a mature and reliable component and the longevity/reliability is seriously in question. More articles are appearing about manufacturers moving away from these transmissions, not only because of problems but also because people are not comfortable with the way they shift compared to the old torque converter transmissions. I'm not a mechanic, but having had the DCT on my Veloster for 3 yrs I was always aware that one turn of the key after my 60,000 mi used warranty was up would be a $$$$ disaster. I felt the same about the GDI engines and carbon buildup resulting in an oil catch can. For whatever it's worth you might want to watch this video:
The Truth About Dual Clutch Transmission Cars

 

Judging by the number of people with Kona's with the DCT's reporting serious problems on this forum (with extremely low miles), I would be extremely wary of buying those models. Even if the technology has improved over the last few years, it appears that DCT's (DSG, Powershift) transmissions are not a mature and reliable component and the longevity/reliability is seriously in question. More articles are appearing about manufacturers moving away from these transmissions, not only because of problems but also because people are not comfortable with the way they shift compared to the old torque converter transmissions. I'm not a mechanic, but having had the DCT on my Veloster for 3 yrs I was always aware that one turn of the key after my 60,000 mi used warranty was up would be a $$$$ disaster. I felt the same about the GDI engines and carbon buildup resulting in an oil catch can. For whatever it's worth you might want to watch this video:
The Truth About Dual Clutch Transmission Cars

I would have been ok with a standard automatic+torque converter but it's not an option on the higher end models. **** if they offered a manual gearbox I would pay extra for it lol.

 

I didn't have the coin for the higher end models, and the DCT/Turbo combo was a killer for me. All i wanted was the leather seats, not interested in speed, turbo, DCT, or higher mileage. No more manuals for me. I still have a 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege- 5 speed, and there is no fun in jersey traffic clutching all day.