KNOWN FAULTS · Hyundai

Known faults for the Hyundai Elantra.

2000–2006 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

2 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 (Petrol)

Applies if: US recalls; in Europe, check the same points and ask by VIN.

Chafing brake pipes, corroding front arms and steering ball joints on the Elantra (2001–2006)Suspension and steering

Engine / equipment: Third-generation Hyundai Elantra (XD), petrol and diesel
Period mentioned: 2000–2006
Symptoms: A brake pedal that sinks or brake-fluid loss; knocks and vague steering at the front; in serious cases, a broken suspension arm or steering ball joint.
Possible cause described: In the US, NHTSA logged several recalls for this Elantra: the rear brake pipes run behind the front crossmember and chafe against the steering-rack brackets until they wear, corrode and leak (model years 2001–2003, 312,292 cars); road salt corrodes the front lower arms from the inside, so they can perforate and break (2001–2003, in states that salt their roads); and some 2005 steering racks were fitted with cracked inner ball joints.
Check for the garage: On a lift, look at the brake pipes next to the front crossmember and at rust on the lower arms; check the steering ball joints for play; ask whether the campaigns were done.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 2.0 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: Same 2.0 CRDi (D4EA) as the Santa Fe I and Sportage II; the turbo part only applies to variable-geometry (VGT) versions.

Variable-geometry turbo and glow plugs on the 2.0 CRDi (D4EA)Injection / turbo

Engine / equipment: 2.0 CRDi (D4EA): Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, Trajet, Elantra and Sonata; Kia Sportage, Carens and Magentis
Period mentioned: Approx. 2001–2010
Symptoms: A big loss of power and weak pulling away (seized variable-geometry turbo); when cold, several attempts to start and rough running (glow plugs).
Possible cause described: On VGT versions the turbo’s variable-vane mechanism seizes and sometimes the turbo must be replaced (documented on the Santa Fe I). Faulty glow plugs cause poor cold starting (documented on the Sportage II). The timing belt must be changed after 6 years or 90,000–120,000 km depending on the model.
Check for the garage: Test the turbo under load and read boost codes; measure the glow plugs; check when the belt was changed.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.