KNOWN FAULTS · Hyundai

Known faults for the Hyundai i20 (I).

2008–2014 · Petrol / Diesel

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

3 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.2 / 1.4 (Petrol)

Applies if: Only the 1.4 petrol (Gamma).

Timing chain on the 1.4 and 1.6 Gamma petrol enginesTiming system

Engine / equipment: 1.4 and 1.6 CVVT (Gamma): Hyundai i30, i20 and ix20; Kia Cee'd, Venga, Soul and Rio
Period mentioned: Approx. 2006–2013
Symptoms: Chain rattle on cold start or under load, engine warning light and, in the worst case, the chain jumping with serious engine damage.
Possible cause described: The ADAC lists the timing chain as a typical defect of the i30 I and Cee'd I (especially 2009–2010 model years); on the Rio III the 1.4 CVVT could stretch its chain early. The wrong oil or late changes make it worse.
Check for the garage: Listen on a cold start; read the camshaft–crankshaft correlation codes; replace chain, tensioner and guides if it rattles; keep to the oil-change intervals.
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: 1.2 / 1.4 (Petrol) · 1.4 / 1.6 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Electric steering, clutch, coolant and recalls on the i20 IKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Hyundai i20 I (PB), petrol and diesel
Period mentioned: 2008–2014
Symptoms: Electric power steering that switches off when hot and returns once cooled; worn clutch, stiff first gear and blocked reverse; coolant loss with a risk of overheating; speedometer, loose radiator fan, leaks at the A-pillar; battery, terminals and spark plugs.
Possible cause described: The steering motor protects itself by switching off when it overheats. Coolant loss can end up damaging the head gasket if not watched. The roadworthiness test flags suspension from about six years, brakes, discs, rusty brake lines and the parking brake, and oil leaks from engine and gearbox. Recalls: a 12 V socket that overheats when the tyre-repair compressor is used (2008–2012) and about 2,500 cars with the 1.2 or 1.4 and 15-inch steel wheels that could lose air at the valve.
Check for the garage: Check outstanding recalls by VIN (manufacturer, KBA or ADAC website) and have a garage inspect the points listed before buying or before the roadworthiness test.
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: 1.4 / 1.6 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: U-family CRDi diesel; the specific points were documented on other models with the same engine.

Weak points of the small CRDi diesels (U family) from Hyundai and KiaInjection / turbo

Engine / equipment: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 CRDi diesels (U family): Rio, Venga, Soul, Stonic, Cee'd, Carens, Optima, i20, ix20, i30, i40, ix35, Tucson, Accent, Matrix
Period mentioned: Approx. 2005 onwards
Symptoms: At high mileage or with short trips: carbon in injectors and EGR, a clogged particulate filter, dual-mass flywheel and turbo; isolated cases of a stretched chain (1.7) and cracked heads (early 1.6); a clutch that wears early; on some cars, a cracked silencer (1.1) or the brake-servo vacuum pump (1.7 campaign).
Possible cause described: German guides rate these engines as robust if maintained: the faults are the typical wear of a modern diesel. Specific points: a stretched chain on some 1.7s (ix35), cracked heads cited by the TÜV on the i30 I, the 1.1 silencer (Rio III), diesel clutches at 60,000–100,000 km (Cee'd I) and a recall of the 1.7 CRDi vacuum pump (5/10/2010–30/4/2011).
Check for the garage: Drive long trips to regenerate the filter; listen to the chain when cold; test injectors and EGR; check the vacuum-pump campaign by VIN on the 1.7.
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.