Genesis G80: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Genesis G80 problems by model year, from 214 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Years to avoid: 2017 (34%, 22 drivetrain complaints). 1 of the 3 Genesis G80 years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2018 (21%) and 2019 (22%). 2019 rests on fewer than 60 complaints, so treat it as provisional. A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
By raw volume, the 2017 drew the most drivetrain complaints (22 of 46 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
2021, 2022 and 2023 have fewer than 25 complaints on record so far, too few to score. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Genesis G80 year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 G80 | elevated | 34% | 22 | 66 | 1/3 | 2 |
| 2018 G80 | no elevated signal | 21% | 18 | 95 | 3/3 | 6 |
| 2019 G80 | no elevated signal | 22% | 6 | 27 | 2/3 | 3 |
| 2020 G80 | too few to score | – | 1 | 1 | – | 2 |
| 2021 G80 | too few to score | – | 1 | 9 | – | 4 |
| 2022 G80 | too few to score | – | 2 | 7 | – | 4 |
| 2023 G80 | too few to score | – | 1 | 9 | – | 4 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Genesis G80 years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Genesis G80 engine recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the Genesis G80 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 6 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2019 | 19V538000 | engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe | 2018 |
| Mar 2024 | 24V191000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger | 2018–2019 |
4 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2018 | 18V305000 | visibility: windshield | 2018 |
| Jul 2018 | 18V496000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification | 2018 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V160000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2017–2019 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V107000 | electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid | 2017–2019 |
What the free pages leave out on the Genesis G80
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Genesis G80
What are the worst years for the Genesis G80?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Genesis G80 years are the 2017 (34% of relevant complaints, elevated). 1 of 3 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Genesis G80?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Genesis G80 years are the 2018 (21%) and the 2019 (22%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Genesis G80 have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 3 scored years, 46 of 177 relevant NHTSA complaints (26%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2017.
Is the Genesis G80 reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 1 of 3 Genesis G80 years we score have an elevated complaint share and 2 do not. Pooled across those years, 26% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Genesis G80?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Genesis G80 years we track, out of 6 in total: 19V538000 (Jul 2019, 2018), 24V191000 (Mar 2024, 2018–2019). Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.