Tried to search for other similar topics but I guess I didn't use the right word combos. '06 Sonata with 3.3 motor. When trans. shift lever is placed in Drive it will not automatically upshift out of 1st on its own. Dash trans. gear position display reads 'D1', not the normal 'D'. In Shiftronic mode it will occasionally upshift to 'D2', but no farther, and does not always do that in this mode. But...if I leave the shifter in the 'D' position I can get it to upshift by then moving the shift lever into Neutral and then back down to Drive. The trans. upshifts and the dash display changes from D1 to D3. Do this again and it upshifts/displays D4. Only after reaching a bit over 40mph can I get it to upshift/display D5 and all seems normal at cruising speed. Trans. will downshift normally.

This problem occurred about 2 1/2 years ago, but only once or twice, then everything was OK. Dealer could not find any problem at that time. Last week I had it into the dealer for a 'check engine' light problem. At that time they replaced the 'Inhibitor Mode Switch', whatever that is. As it seems too coincidental I'm wondering if this may be related to this previous "fix". Only info I could find at all close to my problem was TSB # 06-40-013 which deals with a similar, but not identical, problem with the transaxle.

Probably back to the dealer tomorrow. We'll see what happens.

This post has been edited by dsgrntldPW: Feb 5 2010, 03:07 AM

Please let us know..... Obviously your car is misbehavin, and it would be very obvious to the dealership to acknowledge.....

Took it to the dealer last week and they say the problem is in the 'Shifter Assembly', which of course they had to order. Should be in by tomorrow. Then we'll see if this is a "fix" or a "guess". I'm putting my money on a "guess" for now, unless a whole bunch of the electronics used in the process of up shifting the tranny are a part of this assembly. I'm going to say the replacement of the 'Inhibitor Mode Switch' had something to do with it. We'll see.

Well, they put in the new shifter assy. and so far everything is working correctly. I am keeping my fingers crossed though.

Now it seems that my temp. guage issue has returned. It again pegs the needle into the red, only the motor is not overheating as checked with one of those infared temp. guns. Now they're ordering me a whole new set of battery cables per their engineer techs on the coast. Another guess I presume.

My service writer call my Sonata his 'problem child'. I'm averaging about one trip a month to the dealer for repairs/maintenance, maybe more.

Sorry to hear of your ongoing problems. Unfortunately, it seems like you have a bad example of an 06 Sonata. I have approx. 103,000 kms (64,000 miles) on mine and have been very happy with it, experiencing no major problems at all.

I hope the dealer is able to sort it all out for you.