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Comments
It could be that since it's a brand new model there are bound to be a few flukes. For instance, when I drove off the lot with my Tucson about 3 months ago, I had to take it right back because when I turned on the headlight switch, the windshield and rear wipers came on and the horn honked (but the headlights did not come on). Plus, when I turned on the turn signals, they flashed in both directions. The Hyundai dealer fixed it in a day. Since then, it has been perfect. So, maybe their reliability forecasts are because of instances like these and maybe won't be an indicator of long-term reliability.
Mike
The technician found that the most probable cause of this anomaly was the 4WD VISC. COUPLING and replaced it with a new one under warranty ($600 part). The service manager said that the noise was not eliminated but reduced. He said we should try the car in a muddy surface. At this moment is raining in Cape Cod so I may try later on.
I was also offered a detailed valleting service ($119) to clean the car inside and out. The car had to be booked again because they didn’t do a very good job.
I am taking the car on a long journey to Peru (South America) and some of the documentation to freight the car from Panama to Guayaquil (Ecuador) requires the Engine Number. When I requested this data from the service manager, he said that he had never heard of anybody asking for that information and that he didn’t know where the engine number was located. I had to show him the Owner’s Manual where he could locate this number. He said this would take time and the car was booked again to find this number.
B
From Cape Cod to Los Angeles (4K miles) the car has been responsive, with smooth driving. It seems that the engine becomes noisier after 1 or 2 hours driving (70-75 miles per hour). Brakes are only responsive when pressing the brakes hard. Perhaps this is normal when the car is loaded with weigh equivalent to 4-5 passengers.
During my driving I noted that my right arm was exerting more force than my left arm to control the steering. I released the steering wheel on a long straight road (speed 40-50 miles per hour) and noted that the car pulled to the right side slowly but very noticeable. It came to my mind the event I had in New York driving through the horrible streets of this city full of big pot holes with drivers overtaking you from the right and left and not giving any chance other than to hit these pot holes at speeds of 40-50 miles)
I took the car to Gare Grove Hyundai (CA 92844) to explain about the pulling problem and I was told to take the car to an alignment specialist. When I said I wanted the engine oil changed with my own brand they said they would charge me the same price with or without their oil. After I argued that the camber and caster of the Tucson are pre-set at the factory and if something were wrong with their values the most probable cause was that something had been damaged so an alignment specialist cannot mend the problem by using sophisticated equipment. They told me to bring the car next week for an inspection and that if something is wrong with the hardware I will have to pay for it to put the car right and they didn’t want to book the car formally. It was a disappointing experience so I decided to try another dealer.
Will someone in this forum give me some good advice or comments to deal with this problem in the best possible way?
Equally, I have learnt that if I want to replace my factory tires (BF Goodrich, 235/60 TR16 Spec) Hyundai garages do not stock them although the tires theoretically can be requested through the Parts Department by using the part number for the tires. Gare Grove Hyundai told me to buy the tires from somewhere else.
A wheel weight for the tire balancing is also a problem with these tires specialists. In my previous wheel balancing someone put a weight clip that has damaged my factory alloy wheels by practically eating the aluminium cover of the alloy wheel. Someone recommended me to use adhesive weight wheel balancing but I am a bit worried about it falling off while on the move.
I would also like to hear from someone who has had similar problems or otherwise recommend me which weight clips material to request. I think this is a problem overlooked by the majority of car owners.
B
The caster and the camber are angles that are not adjustable, because they are pre-set at the factory (See TSB 304-50-013). It says that the steering knuckle is installed with the strut assembly at factory so it can not be modified by any alignment machine. So the pulling is a very serious problem that should not be taken lightly. A pulling problem generally implies a defective strut or a defective lower arm or a defective knuckle or toe out of specification or camber out of specifications. However according the alignment print out only the camber reading was +0.6 degree out of tolerance (the maximum is + or - 0.5 degree) (in both front wheels). I assume that this is a very expensive job to put it right and I don’t know if this is covered by the warranty. The fact that both wheels are +0.6 degree of camber angle, lead me to believe that the car was sold to me with this problem. This is a problem that can only be noticeable after long hours of highway driving.
I don’t think the technician bothered inspecting consciously the knuckle/strut combination and opted for the easier way to mislead me, by increasing the air pressure of the front passenger tire from 35 psia to 40 psia as a way to balance the car drifting to the right. However, this trick didn’t work, the car is still pulling to the right in spite of the fact that the tires where rotated and balanced according the dealer invoice.
I wonder if some members could comments on the above and give me some advice to confront this problem.
B
Why such a poor write-up is a good question, since normally they say on a new model, "Not enough information available."
In addition, CNN quotes them as saying the Elantra is "Average". However, for the '04 model, they gave it almost all red balls, indicating above average reliability.
tidester, host
I'm getting ready to buy a Tucson within the next couple of months. Do you think I should buy a 2006, or wait for the 2007 next year that is supposed to have some improvements and new features? Currently there are not many rebates on the 2006 Tucson. Maybe there will be some next month.
My '05 Elantra just turned one year old today. It has been problem-free. I'm excited to buy another Hyundai soon.
Thanks for your help!
Steve, Host
CR is basically saying that the numbers now suggest that if you buy a new Elantra today, it will in all likelihood have average overall reliability for its age during the time that you own the vehicle (based on the data for years 2001-05 in their latest subscriber survey). While the 2002-04 Elantras have an above-average overall reliability rating for their respective years, the 2001 and (more importantly) 2005 models exhibited only average scores. Since the '05s had a comparatively higher problem-rate than the '04s, the reliability of future Elantras inclusive of this generation (i.e., 2001-06; the '07 model will be all-new) is unlikely to be quite as solid as they were during 2002-04MYs. So in the end, all the years combined (though appropriately weighted toward the newer units) yield a score of about 15% above the mean (0%) -- or roughly 5% below the "above average" threshold.
As for the Tucson|Sportage, reported problems were especially high for brand-new vehicles -- even amongst first-year models. Engine and suspension troubles were reported, but only moderately so. The most notable issues were with the transmission, drive system, fuel system-related constituents, and brakes. Overall, it scored around 55% below the mean -- or roughly 10% into the "much worse than average" class. Since this was a new introduction, though, reliability could easily improve to an average rating (or even above-average) in just one or two model years -- especially since Hyundai has a reputation to build/maintain.
Mike
I understand that you cannot adjust the low beam separate from the high beam but you can adjust both together. My Tucson headlights are fine; if anything they are probably adjusted a little bit high. I would say adjust them a bit higher and you will be fine. And, of course, use the high beam whenever you can.
Check following link for rebate details
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/financing/specialoffers/special_offers.aspx
Good catch on the upgrade to power driver seat in limited. Also look for auto locking doors and manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel as well.
Also, I have been going crazy deciding if I want to buy this vehicle. I am a Japanese car guy but the Tucson seems a great bargan. Is this car a 'you get what you pay for'??
Any reassuring thoughts would be helpful .
thanks!
I bought a 2005 Tucson for my daughter to drive and it's really nice.
I highly recommend you take a test drive and do the research here on edmunds. There are plenty of consumer feedback that will help you make an informed decision.
I recently bought 2005 Tucson LX FWD. I enjoyed a lot. It's a really good vehicle. I feel fun when driving. But I felt MPG seems low (~20mpg). What is your average MPG for past 1 year ?
Welcome back!
Thanks,
I can only say about mileage, that I drive in Washington, DC, and after 6000 miles I average about 20mpg which is actually right in line with the estimates. On the one long trip I have taken (I have a 2005, LX 4WD), I got about 23-24 or so. To call it a guzzler is a matter of opinion. The last car I had (a Dodge Stratus, V6) got the same mileage, so I do not really consider it a guzzler myself. Would I like more mileage (who wouldn't), would I like a bit more horsepower (sure). Supposedly those things are coming.
Even if the mileage does not improve, as a Jeep Grand Cherokee costs about $8-10,000 more, depending on the equipment, and unless you really need the towing and off road capability that the Jeep truely has, I don't see the problem, but that's me.
As far as mpg issues, well, I own a Pilot and avg. 17mpgs. EPA is 17 and 24. Never has my Pilot been over 20mpg. Am I displeased, no! I have a 3.5 V6 that is smooth and great to drive. I drove my bro-in-laws Tucson and found the Hyundai 2.7 as responsive and smooth as my Honda and if I got 20mpg I would be very pleased.
I have the awd v6 model and don't like this one bit!
I had a 2004 Sorento (Santa Fee twin) and traded down to save on gas. ...major mistake so far !!!!
I will be visiting my dealer after new year holidays
everything else... is fine.