I have an additional 4k miles on mine post repair and it's still shifting smoothly. I have not noticed any hints of the previous issues. Am hoping their fix continues to hold.
Kona transmission Issues ? - Poll
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I've never had a turbo or a 7 speed before and curious if the behavior I am feeling is normal or if it is the transmission issue. It feels like it shifts 2 or 3 times very quickly before I get to 30MPH. I can feel the shift quite a bit when I'm driving and it almost feels like a slight hesitation and takes a minute to get going smoothly. The dealer and my partner have told me this is normal in a 7 speed. I drove a Honda Accord V6 before this and never felt the car shift. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks
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Honda loves to make transmissions where you can't feel it shift. They have so much "slip agent " in their OEM ATF fluid in some of their conventional AFT transmissions that the long term outcome have been at times, a bad transmission. When you have a transmission slip, you have heat and you have wear, the two things you don't want. I had a couple of Honda's in our family and the first thing I do is drain the ATF and completely flush out the crappy Honda cheap ATF and install Redline or Amsoil ATF. Then when you are refilling you add 3 plus QTs of Redline or Amsoil's racing ATF that is a Type F that has almost no "slip agent". This reduces the programed in slip Honda uses for their butter smooth shifts that create heat and wear. This was how you could get your Honda Odyssey and other Honda transmissions to last a lot longer and save you a $5,000 -$6,000 rebuilt transmission.
Yes, this fast multiple gear shifting is normal for the Kona DCT. There is also a small "stumble" when starting out at say a stop sign, that seems to be there for almost everyone with the DCT (dual clutch) transmission. Many of us have also taken out the intake resonator that is basically a muffler to quiet intake noise. Which I might add, most here feel after taking this out and putting in a solid tube there is almost no increase in sound. Adding this (not a warranty issue, but Hyundai won't put it in for you) This resonator delete, time/break-in miles, and a bit of more aggressive starts/driving will reduce this stumble. Just be glad the DCT is not a 9 speed transmission like some cars/trucks have. The small delay is somewhat inhaerent of this DCT, it takes some time to get use to, and you learn not dart infront of moving traffic thinking you may just make it in time. You will learn your entery timing with time. Check this link below and it will show you pictures of what I am talking about.
www.hyundaikonaforum.com
Yes, this fast multiple gear shifting is normal for the Kona DCT. There is also a small "stumble" when starting out at say a stop sign, that seems to be there for almost everyone with the DCT (dual clutch) transmission. Many of us have also taken out the intake resonator that is basically a muffler to quiet intake noise. Which I might add, most here feel after taking this out and putting in a solid tube there is almost no increase in sound. Adding this (not a warranty issue, but Hyundai won't put it in for you) This resonator delete, time/break-in miles, and a bit of more aggressive starts/driving will reduce this stumble. Just be glad the DCT is not a 9 speed transmission like some cars/trucks have. The small delay is somewhat inhaerent of this DCT, it takes some time to get use to, and you learn not dart infront of moving traffic thinking you may just make it in time. You will learn your entery timing with time. Check this link below and it will show you pictures of what I am talking about.
Intake resonator install
Disclaimer: This is what happened to work for me. Follow at your own risk. Tools: 8mm wrench, flat head screwdriver, and hairspray. Yes you need the hairspray. Prerequisites: Pop the hood, pull the engine cover(pull straight up on it), and have a new intake pipe in hand. Step 1...
www.hyundaikonaforum.com
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Thank you so much for your reply. Sounds like it's something I will get use to in time. You've eased my mind. Take care!Honda loves to make transmissions where you can't feel it shift. They have so much "slip agent " in their OEM ATF fluid in some of their conventional AFT transmissions that the long term outcome have been at times, a bad transmission. When you have a transmission slip, you have heat and you have wear, the two things you don't want. I had a couple of Honda's in our family and the first thing I do is drain the ATF and completely flush out the crappy Honda cheap ATF and install Redline or Amsoil ATF. Then when you are refilling you add 3 plus QTs of Redline or Amsoil's racing ATF that is a Type F that has almost no "slip agent". This reduces the programed in slip Honda uses for their butter smooth shifts that create heat and wear. This was how you could get your Honda Odyssey and other Honda transmissions to last a lot longer and save you a $5,000 -$6,000 rebuilt transmission.
Yes, this fast multiple gear shifting is normal for the Kona DCT. There is also a small "stumble" when starting out at say a stop sign, that seems to be there for almost everyone with the DCT (dual clutch) transmission. Many of us have also taken out the intake resonator that is basically a muffler to quiet intake noise. Which I might add, most here feel after taking this out and putting in a solid tube there is almost no increase in sound. Adding this (not a warranty issue, but Hyundai won't put it in for you) This resonator delete, time/break-in miles, and a bit of more aggressive starts/driving will reduce this stumble. Just be glad the DCT is not a 9 speed transmission like some cars/trucks have. The small delay is somewhat inhaerent of this DCT, it takes some time to get use to, and you learn not dart infront of moving traffic thinking you may just make it in time. You will learn your entery timing with time. Check this link below and it will show you pictures of what I am talking about.
Intake resonator install
Disclaimer: This is what happened to work for me. Follow at your own risk. Tools: 8mm wrench, flat head screwdriver, and hairspray. Yes you need the hairspray. Prerequisites: Pop the hood, pull the engine cover(pull straight up on it), and have a new intake pipe in hand. Step 1...
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51 Posts
We got our Limited, turbo and DCT in April 2018, one of the first Konas. After 8,700 miles the car is flawless. Most of the times I can't tell when the trans. shifts unless watching the tech. I love the manual shift and use it often, and always on uphill driving to keep the engine from lugging.
The only issue is when taking off from a full stop I must be gentle on the gas for the first 50 feet or it will chirp the tires.
The only issue is when taking off from a full stop I must be gentle on the gas for the first 50 feet or it will chirp the tires.
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We purchased our 2018 Kona with 18K miles. I'm not sure the first driver worked out the transmission shifts for us, but I'm hoping it will improve. Thanks for your post. I can relate to everything you have said and it makes me feel better about what I'm experiencing and doing to improve performance.
Well, I thought I just needed to get used to the different feel of the dct, especially on start from dead stop, or feathering the throttle on uphill slow stop and go, but I guess its time to take it in.
Yesterday, while stopped in traffic, I tried to get out of the way of a potential out of control driver seen coming too fast in the mirror.......so I jabbed the throttle and NOTHING happened!,,,it just sat there in silence and motionless! NOT GOOD!
Luckily, the oncoming car did finally hit it's brakes and stopped before rear-ending me.
Yesterday, while stopped in traffic, I tried to get out of the way of a potential out of control driver seen coming too fast in the mirror.......so I jabbed the throttle and NOTHING happened!,,,it just sat there in silence and motionless! NOT GOOD!
Luckily, the oncoming car did finally hit it's brakes and stopped before rear-ending me.
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That seems to be the theme - Dealers / Hyundai telling customers to get used to it. "That's the way DCT works"
I have a 1.6T with DCT. For me 99% of the time the Kona drives fine. No issues. Except... 3 times before 4100 kms, I would be at a stop light, press the gas and nothing, then KA-KLUNK!!! and it would start moving and be fine for the rest of the drive. The first time it happened I thought my front wheel was up against a boulder. After the 3rd time, I brought it to the dealer and they had no errors and could not duplicate. I had it happen 3 more times by 10100 kms. The last time it happened, it was over 2 seconds of nothing - I thought it stalled, then THWUMP!!! and it started moving and was fine for the rest of the day. I brought it to the dealer again. No errors. They took it for a week. I told them to take it home every day if needed trying to get them to duplicate it, but it didn't happen. It happens too infrequently for troubleshooting but enough to be a possible safety issue. I went to Transport Canada's website and filled out a defect complaint form because if this is how DCT was designed to work then Hyundai has a safety problem.
I have a 1.6T with DCT. For me 99% of the time the Kona drives fine. No issues. Except... 3 times before 4100 kms, I would be at a stop light, press the gas and nothing, then KA-KLUNK!!! and it would start moving and be fine for the rest of the drive. The first time it happened I thought my front wheel was up against a boulder. After the 3rd time, I brought it to the dealer and they had no errors and could not duplicate. I had it happen 3 more times by 10100 kms. The last time it happened, it was over 2 seconds of nothing - I thought it stalled, then THWUMP!!! and it started moving and was fine for the rest of the day. I brought it to the dealer again. No errors. They took it for a week. I told them to take it home every day if needed trying to get them to duplicate it, but it didn't happen. It happens too infrequently for troubleshooting but enough to be a possible safety issue. I went to Transport Canada's website and filled out a defect complaint form because if this is how DCT was designed to work then Hyundai has a safety problem.
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At this point I would demand a Hail Mary re flash of the DCT computer.
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I have the exact same issue in the 2019. Mine is getting completely replaced. Considering I’ve only got 15k on it, that is concerning.
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7500 miles on a 2020 Turbo FWD.
When it is really cold outside, it does kinda stumble a little at takeoff. It is the small amount of throttle that is either chug-chug or full-on cold air turbo power. Once mine gets about a minute into the drive, it doesn't do that...it is "normal" then.
Mine shifts all the time at lower speeds (suburban roads <50mph). I swear it puts me in 4th or 5th gear before I hit 40mph after pulling out from a Stop Sign. The engine "pulls" just fine and never bogs down or shifts hard. When I want power, it downshifts quickly and easily, so I can't complain. I guess it is just trying to maximize mpg.
I can say that I do notice the shifts sometimes when I'm driving at higher speeds. It almost feels like a big truck passed you or a gust of wind. The shifts are smooth, but just the power delivery changes for a second. Heck, sometimes I don't even notice except that the RPMs went up and the vibration difference in the steering wheel.
All the other cars I've had with automatics (slush box) do the same thing (shifting all the time). They are (were) just as smooth as the DCT.
I've had zero problems with mine. I took it to the dealer at 5k for an oil change. They didn't say anything about flashing the computer, but I didn't ask them to either. So....mine off-the-sales-lot seems to be OK.
Now-- clunking or not being in-gear? That is a whole different topic and yes, you will have to deal with the dealer circus.
When it is really cold outside, it does kinda stumble a little at takeoff. It is the small amount of throttle that is either chug-chug or full-on cold air turbo power. Once mine gets about a minute into the drive, it doesn't do that...it is "normal" then.
Mine shifts all the time at lower speeds (suburban roads <50mph). I swear it puts me in 4th or 5th gear before I hit 40mph after pulling out from a Stop Sign. The engine "pulls" just fine and never bogs down or shifts hard. When I want power, it downshifts quickly and easily, so I can't complain. I guess it is just trying to maximize mpg.
I can say that I do notice the shifts sometimes when I'm driving at higher speeds. It almost feels like a big truck passed you or a gust of wind. The shifts are smooth, but just the power delivery changes for a second. Heck, sometimes I don't even notice except that the RPMs went up and the vibration difference in the steering wheel.
All the other cars I've had with automatics (slush box) do the same thing (shifting all the time). They are (were) just as smooth as the DCT.
I've had zero problems with mine. I took it to the dealer at 5k for an oil change. They didn't say anything about flashing the computer, but I didn't ask them to either. So....mine off-the-sales-lot seems to be OK.
Now-- clunking or not being in-gear? That is a whole different topic and yes, you will have to deal with the dealer circus.
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Me too!! 2022 kona n line. Seems like they never actually resolved dct issues. Already regretting my purchase...may have a lemon on my hands.
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Just found this forum, gratefully! I have a 2018 1.6 turbo which I love driving - except the dct shudder. For me, only happens when taking off slowly, changing from 1st to 2nd. Have complained to the dealer before, going back today armed with a bit more information. Thanks to everyone for posting 
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Quite a few times, I have turned right from a stop or into traffic only to get a scary pause. Now for most of my in-town driving, I push the Sport mode and do not to get the 1st gear stumble and turbo lag.Just found this forum, gratefully! I have a 2018 1.6 turbo which I love driving - except the dct shudder. For me, only happens when taking off slowly, changing from 1st to 2nd. Have complained to the dealer before, going back today armed with a bit more information. Thanks to everyone for posting
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2019 Kona SE 4 and 5 gear. Vibration.
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