1996 Hyundai Elantra GL 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Just keep it maintained

Faults:

Replaced inside drivers door handle twice. No big deal, cost me 15 bucks from a junk yard each time. I don't let it snap back when I release it anymore. Haven't broken another since.

Recall on the fuel tank. The dealer took care of it with no problem.

Removed the exhaust manifold and had a crack welded. ($20.00)

I don't like the fact that the front brake rotors must be pressed on or off. I replaced the rotors and wheel bearings at 83,000 miles. I use only high quality brake pads now.

General Comments:

Very reliable car. I have replaced the timing belt twice. At 120,000 miles the cam and crank seals are not even leaking! I've changed the oil right on schedule and treat it with duralube every other time.

A K&N Filtercharger helped a bit.

A few ounces of Mystery Oil to every tank of gas keeps the fuel system clean.

You must use ATF+3 fluid when servicing the transmission. Dextron will not last.

Overall, I'm very happy with this car. I was skeptical at first, but it made a believer out of me. Just keep it maintained.

I just bought a 2004 Elantra. I hope it does just as good. Wish me luck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 2004

1996 Hyundai Elantra GLS from North America

Summary:

Very unreliable, it spent more time in the shop than with I drove it

Faults:

The Oxygen Sensor went out 4 hours after driving the car off the lot.

I bought the car in August, the transmission went out October.

In November the Starter went out.

In December my battery went, but that was not the Dealers fault.

General Comments:

High gas mileage.

Comfortable to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th January, 2004

1996 Hyundai Elantra GLS 1.6 16v DOHC from South Africa

Summary:

Reliability

Faults:

At 136000km I replaced the gearbox and 3 months later at 138000km I replaced it again.

Dif pinion keeps slipping out of place and sun and platenary gears fall out onto the road.

Everytime the car goes for a service it has to have a major repair.

General Comments:

On the whole I will never recommend this car to anyone and I will never by a hyundai again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th September, 2003

1996 Hyundai Elantra Base 1.8L from North America

Summary:

Always being fixed

Faults:

Check engine light is always on.

Transmission broke at 45000 miles.

Transmission gasket broke at 50000 miles.

Brakes went bad at 51000.

All kinds of emission sensors went bad.

General Comments:

The transmission is very weak.

Very noisy on the highway.

The brakes aren't powerful.

The dealership always takes it's time to do any kind of work on the car.

The car is always being fixed, even though it's kept in very good condition. The oil is changed every 3,000 miles. All other fluids every 10,000. Regular full tune-ups every 12,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th August, 2001

30th Sep 2001, 13:01

Engine light is always on because Hyundai has faulty oxygen sensors and refuses to recall them. I owned my vehicle for five years and had the light off for a total of 12 months out of the 60. I have changed oxygen sensors, but unless the resonator or back sensor is also changed the problem persists. I am looking for similar complaints to force Hyundai to recall or face a class law suit.

1996 Hyundai Elantra GL Wagon 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Best car value I've ever had; quite a contrast to the Tempo!

Faults:

I had a sensor (top head sensor I think) fail in the third winter causing the 'check engine' light to flash and run on three cylinders. First time in, the dealer found and fixed the problem in two hours.

At 160,000 km, had a tiny crack in the manifold and a bent linkage in the rear, probably due to rough road conditions and pot holes you could lose your car into.

At about 100,000 km, the black trim around the windows and on the wiper arms peeled, probably due to the excessive road salt used here. No rust yet though.

General Comments:

Exceptional space found in the wagon model. I could put large objects in the rear with no problem. Four golfers, clubs and pull carts fit in the wagon. This was tested on numerous occasions.

Lots of long four to five hour drives at brisk 120 km/h speeds up and down hills. I should have got the upgrade on the seats though.

Reliable! Someone is going to get a fine working 6 year old car next week. I'm trading it in on a new GT! Never was towed and always started even at -40C without a block heater.

Was chiselled out of a block of ice up to the axles during ice storm and had a load of gravel dumped on it at 100km/h from a dump truck.

The dealer was incredible. Best dealer I have ever dealt with even though I bought the car in another city right before I moved. Downtown shuttle service, next day parts if needed. Mailed reminders for service.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th August, 2001

1996 Hyundai Elantra GLS 1.6 from Singapore

Summary:

Relatively reliable but expensive to maintain

Faults:

1. Poor paintwork. Paint peels easily.

2. Brakes don't grip well both in wet & dry conditions.

3. Gear shift is stiff and the throw is too long.

4. Fuel consumption is quite high.

5. Handbrake doesn't lock on a steep incline.

6. Windows & windshield quality leaves streaks even after cleaning.

General Comments:

In general, consumers planning to service their cars should not send it back to Komoko Motors, the Singapore dealer of Hyundai. Their workmanship is terrible & their staff are unprofessional. Also, they tend to dilute your coolant, overlook obvious defects & if you buy any aftermarket product from them, such as car alarms, they won't guarantee them if there's a defect.

Never experienced such unprofessionalism before.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th December, 2000

1996 Hyundai Elantra 1.8 Base Engine from North America

Summary:

Great little commuter car

Faults:

1. Windshield wiper motor siezed - repaired under warranty.

2. Check engine light came on within the first 2 days - repaired crushed fuel vent line under warranty.

3. Car experiencing loss of power at highway speeds - repaired under warranty.

4. Number 3 recurred after the warranty expired - repaired under warranty (no further problems).

General Comments:

Very nice little car to drive. My wife and I log a lot of miles on the car as it is a 1 hour one-way drive to work.

Spacious interior and storage areas. Lots of standard options for the price range.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2000