2002 Hyundai Elantra GLS 2.0 gas from North America
Summary:
Cheaply built. They cut too many corners
Faults:
Door pillar molding peeled off. 1st year. Replaced 2x finally I just painted them.
Radiator blew around 62000. Just off warranty.
The drive train warranty does not cover the axles. Surprise, surprise. paid for them myself. 400.
The timing belt must be changed out at 60000 miles. Not covered under warranty. Interference engine. Paid for that myself. $600, will pay again if I get to 120000.
Oh yeah, the water pump went too. Had it checked out when I did the timing belt. Add $100, it was beginning to leak. more money. Had it replaced again cause it broke after 1 week. Goodyear repaired again at no further charge.
Interior fabric is wearing much too fast. Paper thin and fragile. Seats and counsel are wearing. Put seat covers on.
Shifter knob is almost worn through. Wonder what they want for one of those. $$$$
Transmission has developed the dreaded shift flare. I do not trust the dealer. Very difficult to get warranty work done. Lots of excuses. I asked them for a tech bulletin on the problem and they quoted me $99 for a 1 page tech bulletin. Very mercenary of them.
I have had to buy 3 rims for this car so far, they bend every time I hit a pothole. 75 dollars per rim.
Interior lights have shorted out just after 60000. Fixed them in part myself. Dome light still does not work.
Every time I bump this car it will dent. A pine cone dented the hood one time. It fell out of the tree. $90.
I bumped the fender with a rachet once. Wow, a three inch dent $90. Metal is very thin. Be careful with this one.
Headlight lenses fogged up after 60000.
Brakes done at 20000 miles, and got 40000 out of the after market ones.
A/C so far has been flawless.
Radio works so far.
For buying a new car I expected better.
Mpg in town 22. Highway 34.
When this one dies I'll buy a used Honda or Toyota. If I'm going to have to fix it like a used one, I don't want to pay new price.
General Comments:
Manufacturer and sales misrepresent this car with the initial drive train warranty. Lots of excuses and run around. Basically they only warranty the metal parts. Once the boots crack on your axle, the warranty is void.
The transmission internal parts warrantied provided you have it service at their dealership and at their price. And with their overly expensive transmission fluid. Take it in for a complaint after 60k and they will tell you it's the electrical harness. You bet ya. More $$$.
Oops the timing belt is not part of the warrantied drive train. Everything is not part of the drive train.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 18th December, 2008
28th Jul 2010, 22:31
I do agree with the rims being cheap. I have bent three, had one repaired for 75.00. Headlights are always fogged up and dealers only find problems after the warranty. Also watch out, the car can stall with a faulty knock sensor, and mine has done that and this is big bucks to diagnose. It is a good car for the money, but domestic cars are just as good. Hyundai customer service doesn't care when you email or phone with concerns.
1st Sep 2010, 11:48
Elantra GLS radiator blew yesterday at 85,000 miles. Thanks to that, the engine is trashed. Needs a new engine. It'll cost $3100 to fix the car that I bought brand new in 2002. I always kept up on maintenance, oil changes, tune ups. So much for the 10 year warranty. Engine isn't covered since the radiator was the initial problem.
23rd Oct 2010, 07:54
The radiator sounds like it has a "go bad" timer on it. Ours went bad at 81000. Replaced, radiator, coolant, valve cover gasket, thermostat, radiator cap, etc 650.00. Trade in value on this car according to NADA is 1600.00 if in excellent shape. However, it has been a good car for us. Can't compare to domestics, as never owned one, but has been good for us.
This thread seems to be a complaint line, not a get some answers type line.
21st Dec 2010, 01:32
I got my Elantra new in 2002. Up until now I have no problems with it. It has 152,000 kms and it still runs perfectly. It's the first car that I don't have to change the motor or transmission at 125,000 kms.
This cars has a lot of heat, very good for the winter. Good acceleration to overpass. I have my own mechanic. I stay away from the dealer. Started to rust on the passenger side.
Beside the rust, I will buy another one: the wagon in a few years, maybe in 2012.
December 21, 2010 Mirese.
1st May 2010, 01:31
Timing belts are not covered by warranties. Most of these interference type belts need to be replaced every 100 000 kms. (60 000 miles). They have cheap bodies, front brakes wear faster than normal. Bottom line, they are great value. Do more research and you should agree.