2001 Hyundai Accent GS review from North America

Electroluminescent dash lighting failed (replaced under warranty)

Auto transmission computer malfunction (reprogrammed under warranty)

Wheel bearing.

Flexible coupling on exhaust ripped/had to be replaced.

Severe wear to inside edges of front tires (factory allows for NO provision of alignment)

The things that have gone wrong on this car are the types of things you might expect from a car with over 200K on the odometer, to have all of these problems before 80,000 is simply ridiculous.

The thing that grates on me the most is that the car eats up the inside edges of the front tires in as little as 10,000 miles--there is NO factory provision for alignment to correct this. Even the factory shop manual says that if such a condition is noted that it can only be corrected by replacing the "bent" parts.

UPDATE July 2008: I am still unfortunate to be stuck with this car, as I cannot afford anything else.

Problems since last post;

1) Windshield wiper linkage corroded so bad that the wipers would not work, had to replace linkage

2) Replaced yet another flexible coupling in the exhaust that ripped

3) Ominous loud clunking sounds coming from the front of the car whenever taking off (suspension components checked out ok).. seems to be coming from the subframe mounts

4) Oxygen sensor

5) Occasionally, the engine will rev up on its own, once almost causing me to rear-end someone at a stoplight

6) Occasional engine stumble, which is really fun when pulling out into traffic

7) Braking system leaking fluid from somewhere, have to add fluid every 1,000 miles or so... pedal travels very close to floor, despite brake pads and shoes being in good condition.. I suspect the master cylinder is shot.

Mileage at this post; only 115K. These problems only serve to underscore what a throw-away car this is... with a current resale value of about $2,000, it has reached the point where it's not even worth putting the money in to fix it.