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Hyundai I20 2012 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2012 Hyundai I20? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2012 Hyundai I20 issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2012 Hyundai I20 in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

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Used Hyundai i20 review: 2010-2014

Competent rather than thrilling, the i20 is a popular town commuter car.

With our cities becoming more and more clogged with traffic it's not surprising that smaller cars, such as the Hyundai i20, are gaining favour with buyers

Hyundai launched the i20 in 2010, following in the small car tracks of the Excel and Getz, and its primary role was in the city as an A-to-B car for commuters.

The range kicked off with the Active, which could be had in three and five-door hatch versions, the mid-ranger was the Elite five-door and the top model was the five-door Premium.

For a small car the i20 could accommodate four adults in reasonable comfort, though the front passenger might cede some legroom.

It also had decent boot space for the size of car and split-folding rear seats increased the space for carrying bigger items.

The standard engine was a 1.4-litre four-cylinder and the Premium had a 1.6-litre job, which could also be optioned into the mid-range Elite.

Most buyers opted for the 1.4, which performed manfully against most models in the class but was pushing into the wind against the leaders in the segment.

Transmission choices were a five-speed manual gearbox and four-speed automatic, the latter being the more popular.

The manual was replaced by a more user-friendly six-speeder in 2012 but buyers in general stuck with the auto, even though its wide gear spacing wasn't terribly well suited to the small engine.

On the road, the i20 handled well and the ride was comfortable. It was competent rather than thrilling.

All models had electronic stability control but the first i20 Actives were rated at four stars by ANCAP as they lacked the side and curtain airbags of the five-star Elite and Premium. That changed in October 2010 when the Active matched the safety features of the other models and was upgraded to five stars.

Few owners have anything but praise for their i20s. There are some complaints but those suggest build issues rather than abiding flaws that should put potential buyers off.

The i20, clearly built as a town commuter car, can be found wanting a little on the open road. Driven with that limitation in mind, it can still do the job on a long-distance jaunt.

It's worth checking the history of any second-hand i20 as plenty of them were used as renters. That shouldn't rule them out completely but you need to check these examples more carefully than one from a private seller.

Checking the car's service history is also very important. At the cheap end of the market, some buyers are inclined to push the envelope when it comes to service in the hope of saving a few bucks along the way.

It's not a good strategy as skipping services is risking damage that could end up being more expensive than the missed services. Walk away if you suspect a car has been neglected — there are plenty more out there that have been lovingly maintained by caring owners. Recommended service intervals are 12 months/15,000km.

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Ford Fiesta - $8K budget woe

The prices we quote are a guide, but you should be able to find a 2012 Ford Fiesta for $8000 on the private market. A 2012 Hyundai i20 would be a smidgeon cheaper at $7500. Continue looking and haggle hard when you find a car that suits.

Used Hyundai i20 review: 2010-2012

It's a measure of the transformation of small cars in the last couple of decades that the new Hyundai i20 boasted features reserved for high-end luxury cars a tick over 20 years earlier. With a large number of buyers downsizing from the traditional larger models small cars have had to offer the sorts of things only their bigger cousins once did.

NEW

In the case of the i20 it was things like auto on-off headlamps and auto door locking, unthinkable in a 1990s model.The i20 was an attractive little hatch with pleasant styling and neat proportions with good all-round visibility. It was available as a three-door model that opened the range as well as a number of five-door models.

Inside it boasted comfortable accommodation for four with a boot of decent proportions to carry their gear. The range was made up of three models beginning with the Active, which was available as a three-door and a five-door hatch that had standard air-conditioning, remote central locking and fold-flat mirrors.

In the middle of the range was the Elite, which was only available as a five-door hatch, but added a trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy wheels to the list of features.

If you took another step up the range you arrived at the Premium five-door, which got you such previously undreamt of luxuries as automatic air, bigger alloy wheels and a smattering of leather trim.

Two engines were offered. The entry level Active was powered by a 1.4-litre engine that produced 73 kW and 136 Nm and delivered performance that was modest, but adequate for the class. Had you chosen the Elite mid-ranger you were given the choice of the 1.4-litre or a larger 1.6-litre engine that gave you the extra punch of 91 kW and 156 Nm.

All models offered the choice of five-speed manual and four-speed auto transmissions, and drive went through the front wheels.

NOW

After a rocky start in Australia when a serious chassis flaw in early Excels threatened to ground the brand for good Hyundai has had a largely trouble free run and has built an enviable reputation. Quality has improved markedly, reliability is on the up and the model offerings are more attractive.

It's mostly good news for the brand in general, which should give buyers confidence when out shopping for a used car. The i20 is one of the latest generation of models and is showing no signs of having any major flaws that should be of concern to potential used buyers.

There was one recall to replace a label on the jack, but that's a relatively minor issue that has no bearing on the car's reliability.

Something buyers need to be aware of is that the first Active cars to arrive here were only equipped with front airbags, which meant it was rated at four stars by ANCAP, but later models had a full complement of front and side airbags and was rated at five stars.

Importantly all had electronic stability control, as well as ABS brakes, traction control and electronic brakeforce distribution, all of which contributed to an impressive safety level. As with any used car purchase make sure your potential choice has been serviced as per Hyundai's recommendation.

SMITHY SAYS

Good value-for-money, solid performance, top safety and it's reliable, check it out.

Hyundai i20 - 2010-2012
Price new: $14,990 to $23,490
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder, 73 kW/136 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 91 kW/156 Nm
Transmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed man, FWD
Economy: 6.0 L/100 km (1.4), 6.1 L/100 km (1.6)
Body: 3-door hatch, 5-door hatch
Variants: Active, Elite, Premium
Safety: 4/5-star ANCAP

 

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Hyundai i20 recurring brake problem

The company has an obligation to fix the car, not to replace it. While it must be frustrating to experience what you have been through it does seem as though the company is trying to fix the problem. I would give them the car back and tell them you don't want it returned until it is fixed, and in the meantime ask them for the loan of a car while yours is off the road. If that fails then you could ask for a new car.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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