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Hyundai Elantra Problems 2007+
Hyundai Elantra owners or owner wanna-bes, here's a place to talk about issues with the Gen 4 Elantra.
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I've driven about 10 Gen 3 Elantras over the years--owned two, and driven many others as rentals, loaners, and for test drives. I've had some wheel shimmy twice: once when I replaced the OEM Michelins with Kumhos on my '01 Elantra and noticed a slight shimmy over 70 mph. I took the car back to the tire shop, they rebalanced the tires, and no more shimmy. Then when I replaced the OEM Michelins on my '04 Elantra, I noticed some shimmy. I took the car to the shop that had done the front-end repair (my wife had a nasty run-in with a curb in a blizzard) and asked them to check the alignment. They did tweak the alignment a bit but also said one of the new tires was so out of balance they recommended replacing it. So I went over to the tire shop, and they said, let's try balancing one more time and if that doesn't work, we'll replace the tire. After the balancing, the shimmy hasn't returned.
There have already been a few test drive reports here on the 2007 Elantra. Some folks have already purchased one and are reporting their experiences. How about we give the car a chance before worrying about a problem that hasn't even been reported yet?
Or we could warn potential customers now of common problems to look for. Had I known of the common shimmy problem that later affected (and still plagues) my own Elantra, I probably never would have purchased it.
Thanks.
The question is -- what will happen with these vehicles down the road as they rack up miles and get their tires rotated? We hope to find out the answer here!
Due to the previous Elantra's particularly noteworthy sensitivity to unbalanced tires, I thought it was quite important to bring it up for the new model.
Hyundai Elantra has a more appealing interior and the fit and finish is at least equal to the Honda.
Although I can't compare the powertrain to the Civic, I can say that the engine felt peppy enough and the automatic transmission was VERY smooth. The only issue is I could feel some harshness coming through the gas pedal at times, but it wasn't really that objectionable. The only thing, though, is that my 02 Elantra had something similar, but it only seemed to occur when driving 70 on the highway. Maybe Hyundai had to make a trade-off to get rid of the steering wheel shimmy, who knows?
As for continuing the discussion about comparing the Elantra to its competitors and also talking about our general perceptions from our test drives, we should use other, more appropriate topics on the Elantra discussion board.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f0cfb41.ee9e647/1351
Yesterday, I had my amp installed in my new 07 Elantra SE. To tell the truth, it wasn't as easy as most people would think. The new HD's have a extensive CAN line system in the BCM [Body Control Module], where the ECU is actively monitoring everything from lights to the engine. If the BCM sees a higher voltage [current] draw than original configuration, the ECU will tell the BCM to throw a code and either turn off the system or create a *no start* situation where the engine will not start without a scan tool reset. Resetting the ECU CANNOT BE DONE BY PULLING THE FUSE. A scan tool is required to pull codes. These cars are not mod friendly especially the electrical system. You MUST be knowlegable in computer software and hardware design to understand how it works.
I got around the BCM by not hooking the remote lead to the radio circuit. Since the radio is hooked up to the BCM and the radio's voltage is monitored by it, the extra .5-.6 volt draw created by the amp remote can cause the BCM to shut things down. The aux power circuit can have a extra draw on it because thats where extra stuff can be plugged into without causing a migrane headache.
The deck I have does not have a RCA output for an amp. However by connecting a speaker line output to a line input converter to the rear speakers, (separate from the power and ok to hook into) the audio source is now complete.
This is in no way a criticism of Hyundai, the majority of new autos have audio systems that are integrated with other aspects of the vehicles electronic systems.
Soon after a models introduction there are aftermarket solutions to these challenges.
The point is, leave it to the pro's.
Comparing to 01 thru 06 Elantra 07 seems to be a nightmare.
I'm not sure, but I believe Hyundai has plans to add a nav system option later on. They would place it in the area at the top of the dash (currently a large storage flip-up compartment).
With a portable unit you can transfer it from car to car, i.e. more than one car in the household. Or, if you're flying somewhere you can take the portable with you and use it in the rental car.
A friend just bought a new (not refurb), in box, Garmin nuvi 360 from an authorized dealer for $500. The nuvi 360 is a pretty high end unit and includes bluetooth. BestBuy is currently selling it for $900.
Honda is charging $2000 for nav in its CR-V, although that does include a back-up camera.
Take a look at the one in the Acura TL type S. It does things way beyond any $500 portable.
Interesting stat - I read somewhere only about 7% of all cars are purchased with Navigation units from factory.
The Garmin unit, how many years of warranty does Hyundai honor on it?
Traffic jam, it will re-route you. In an unfamiliar city, you can get a listing of restaurants sorted by style of food, etc., etc. This is not "a cheap $500 toy." Don't judge it by some discounted internet prices which may be available. As I said earlier, Best Buy is still selling it for $900.
What does the Acura do that this portable doesn't? I already said the CR-V prvides a rear back-up TV screen. Don't rear back-up sensors accomplish the same thing?
Does the Acura let you take it from your Acura to your other Honda and can you take it with you if you fly on vacation or business? If you get rid of the Acura in 2 or 3 years, can you keep that GPS?
At the end of the day, it's 2K + additional interest vs. $500 dollars, your choice...
I think the Garmin warranty is 1 year. I'm not so sure the Acura B2B warranty for nav is the same as the rest of the car. Many cars have a shorter than B2B warranty for electronic items supplied to them by others, like radios.
Maybe.
Probably not.
I suppose, but with much effort.
I just was attempting to let people know there are less expensive more versatile units available. I don't have a feature by feature comparison. Some of the additional features may be meaningful to you and might never be used by others. Example: when I changed cell phones last year I wanted bluetooth due to CT's prohibition of hand held phones while driving. In order to get bluetooth the phone had a ton of other stuff I'll never use.
Thanks!
The design of the rear suspension is faulty and camber changes when loaded make the car dangerous to drive. I had engineers from Art Morrison Enterprises; who design custom frames and suspension systems evaluate the car and they told me that the upper control arms, which are non-adjustable, are too short, making the camber go out of spec when the car is loaded.
Another thing, kind of basic but I'll mention it anyway: where do you keep your wallet? When I have mine in my right rear pocket, I can get a numb feeling in my right leg (sciatic nerve). If I take the wallet out, no problem.
BTW, the seat cushion of a 7-year-old car probably would be softer than that on a new car. I don't know about the 2000 Elantra, but the seats on the '07 are no more firm, maybe less firm, than those on my '04 GT and I think the seats on the GT are very comfortable for long trips (if I take my wallet out)--but they have the dual-knob height adjuster and an adjustable lumbar support also.
I found some rattle coming out from passenger side air vent plastic panel..it got some gap between it is causing annoying rattles..
it is getting louder everyday and I'm trying to attempt to bring it to dealer and insulate it or replace it under warranty..
does anybody else have this kind of problem?
is it replaceable under warranty?
what should i do?
I purchased a 2007 Elantra GLS in Dec. 2006 and I have been thrilled with it, up until about a month ago when the I sustained major engire failure.
Keeping it short and sweet, what happened (to the best of my understanding): The crankshaft pully got off track and eventually thrown off all together (on later inspection Hyundai showed me how the seal on the inside of the pully was incomplete) Then, through a horrible chain reaction the following happened:
-the AC belt got wrapped around the pully and melted to the side of the engine
-the timing belt jumped time
-the pistons bent all of the valves covers
-the drive belts were destroyed
The cylinder head was rebuilt and the valves and guides were as well...essentially Hyundai replaced/rebuilt all damaged parts (it took them 4 weeks, but i digress)
anyway, my real question is this: before the engine fell apart, my car used to idle at aprox. 400 to 500 RPM when it was warm. Now, after the rebuild, the engine idles higher, at around 700 sometimes even close to 800 and I can feel it in the steering wheel at a dead stop. Is that level of RPM at idle normal? what do other 07 owners idle at? I know that the Gen4 engine is supposed to idle at a lower rate than the previous models. what might be going on?
thanks.
Just goes to show that any 1st year model from any company can have some lemons come off the assembly lines. It doesn't make Hyundai any better or worse than any other automobile manufacturer. These things just sometimes happen.
Good luck with the rebuild and let us know what you find out.
The Sandman
Hyundai didn't extend the warranty, but they did pay for the car rental during the month they were fixing it. that was despite me not having purchased they extended warranty. so all told they covered about $600 in car rental expense.
so, end of story, the car is running fine now. and i'm still a proud owner of my elantra.
Too bad that Hyundai didn't go the extra mile for you. And about the rental payment, they should've done that no matter what, a brand new car having it's engine self destruct isn't what anyone expects with a new car, no matter who the manufacturer is. So they did what they were supposed to do with getting you free alternative transportation. Like I said earlier, they should've stepped up to the plate with the extension! There's nothing better than consumer goodwill!!!
The Sandman :confuse:
Quite surprised. I never put a lot of weight on it. Bad place to put a thin piece of plastic. What were the designers thinking?
This happen to anyone else...i know not everyone drives using the foot rest.
G
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