2002 Hyundai Elantra GLS review from North America

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.

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.