Hyundai GX350 - experienced transmission trouble while on the highway

Complaints.com received the following on April 9, 2003:

From: Allen Whipps [Email User]

RE: Hyundai GX350 - experienced transmission trouble while on the highway

Hyundai GX350. Bought new 2002. It had a serious transmission problem that almost stranded me. One day, I drove about 40 miles on the freeway and the car started bucking, the engine raced, I pulled over. The car would not go forward or in reverse although the engine revved when gas applied. I stepped on gas and car lurched forward. Tried the manual/auto mode and nothing.

The light for third gear (although this is an automatic it shows the gear you have it in with manual/auto). So I figured out that the car was stuck in third. That allowed me to drive easily at about 50 mph, so I drove it to the dealership. Driving at less than 20 was difficult. They replaced some solenoids in the transmission.

I've also has had engine stalling problems which nearly caused accidents. The engine needs to warm up for a very long time before the car will run OK.

It is otherwise a great driving car. The TCS has been fantastic in the snow and ice. It is in most ways a very very comfortable car, but I'm worried about relying on it for trips. Knowing what I know now, I would absolutely spend an extra 5-10 grand required to get a car of comparable luxury and power to also get a feeling of greater reliability. The long warrantee is great -- they are stuck with repairs but I'm telling you, having it freak-out on my at freeway speeds really put me off this product. I wish I could get out of it.

BTW, the Hyundai dealership in Grand Rapids, has been really good to work with.

See this also (Hyundai also published that my engine was 180hp):

http://www.complaints.com/october2002/complaintoftheday.october3.23.htm