2006 Hyundai Elantra GL review from North America

The clutch had to be replaced, just a few kilometers past the warranty - from other car forums, clutches are a 'wear' item and not covered under the warranty. Like many other owners, the dealership put the blame on me for my faulty driving habits (my Mazda 323 had 485,000 kilometers on it when I sold it, and, the original clutch. I have been driving for 40 years, and have always driven a standard shift).

Since it was off warranty, I took it to an independent garage, where I was given a 2 year parts and labour warranty on an off-brand clutch - the dealership's warranty on a Hyundai clutch was one year or 20,000 k). I kept the clutch and I'm waiting for the class action suit. Because of Hyundai's history with problem clutches and class action suits, I specifically asked the question before I purchased. Since this was not the first year for this model, I foolishly believed the dealership when they denied any clutch problems. Shame on me for not checking the internet forums, as clutch problems have shown up on the Elantra and other models as well.

This is not my first Hyundai - I did own a 1985 Pony, which had an excellent maintenance and repair history, and which I sold in order to buy the Mazda 323.