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Hyundai I40 Problems

Are you having problems with your Hyundai I40? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Hyundai I40 issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Hyundai I40 in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Hyundai i35 - Did this model ever exist?

The answer is no, but Hyundai's naming policy was very confusing during the 2010s.

The original i30 of 2007 introduced the alphanumerical naming policy and signified a different approach to vehicle engineering, with a European focus with higher-quality engineering rather than a low price to take on class leaders like on the Volkswagen Golf.

Thus 'i' something became a sort of premium nomenclature, and of course is still used to denote this on models like the i30 and Europe's i10 and i20 small cars There was also the German-engineered i40 midsized sedan and wagon until 2018.

But here's where Hyundai muddied its own waters.

In 2010 the larger, American-market Sonata was rebadged i45 for Australia and New Zealand – even though an 'x' and a '5' rather than a '0' meant crossover or SUV, as illustrated by the very popular second-generation Tucson being renamed ix35 in Australia and some other markets from 2009 to 2015 – though this naming policy was abandoned for the third-generation Tucson from 2015. While strikingly styled, there was nothing European about the i45, and it too returned to being badged Sonata from 2015.

So... i10, 120, i30, i40 and i45 for Australia, but no i35.

Thank you.

Hyundai i40 Diesel Engine Problems

The Hyundai i40 has a great reputation in the trade for being a solid, dependable car with few inherent problems. In fact, it’s one of the models that has recently helped forge Hyundai’s overall reputation as a safe bet. The brand’s five-year warranty hasn’t hurt it in that regard, either.

In terms of Hyundai i40 diesel engine problems, the news is good. And that’s largely because Hyundai has been building small capacity passenger-car diesel engines for decades and has the technology all worked out.

But there are a few things to watch out for and those include the propensity of modern, common-rail injected diesels to require plenty of preventative maintenance. If injectors, pumps and filters are not looked after, they can all give trouble down the road and fixing common-rail injection is generally not a cheap pursuit. So make sure any second-hand i40 (petrol or diesel) has a fully stamped service book and that no preventative maintenance has been skipped.

The other thing worth mentioning is that unless you plan to do at least some highway driving, then the turbo-diesel – as nice as it is to drive – may not be your best bet. The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) fitted to modern diesels needs a good run at a decent speed every few weeks to ensure that it can regenerate properly. If it doesn’t see this sort of running, it can become blocked and, in a worst-case scenario, require replacement. This is by no means a Hyundai-specific problem and many modern diesels with DPF technology carry the same caveat.

The bottom line is that even though the diesel version of the i40 may squeeze more out of each litre of fuel, it’s not necessarily the cheapest-to-own variant in the long run.

 

What's a good mid-sized wagon to buy?

You’re buying a used car, it’s not new, so you have to expect some wear-and-tear issues. The older the car, the greater the wear-and-tear, and the more likely it is to have suffered mechanical failures or even a crash. That means you have to thoroughly check the car before purchase, and you have to rely on the honesty of the vendor. If the car has had clutch problems it should be recorded in the service book. It’s the same with the others you’re looking at, check them thoroughly, and if you’re uncertain have an expert check them for you. Of the three others you are considering I would avoid the Passat as a potential money pit, and go for the i40 in preference to the Commodore.

What's a good mid-sized wagon to buy?

You’re buying a used car, it’s not new, so you have to expect some wear-and-tear issues. The older the car, the greater the wear-and-tear, and the more likely it is to have suffered mechanical failures or even a crash. That means you have to thoroughly check the car before purchase, and you have to rely on the honesty of the vendor. If the car has had clutch problems it should be recorded in the service book. It’s the same with the others you’re looking at, check them thoroughly, and if you’re uncertain have an expert check them for you. Of the three others you are considering I would avoid the Passat as a potential money pit, and go for the i40 in preference to the Commodore.

What cars are similar to the Volkswagen Passat?

That’s the problem with VWs, you can get six good ones in a row, but the next one could be a lemon. Rather than a wagon you’re probably looking at an SUV. I would suggest a Kia Sorento, Subaru Outback, or Toyota RAV4.

Used Hyundai i40 review: 2011-2016

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Hyundai i40 as a used buy.

The Hyundai i40 was initially sold only as a station wagon, called the Tourer, when it arrived in Australia in October 2011. With the Tourer Hyundai Australia was chasing potential buyers of crossover SUVs, offering a more sensible vehicle than a high riding wagon. 

The idea wasn’t particularly successful as SUVs are often sold to those looking for the macho image, not commonsense transport. A four-door i40 sedan didn’t reach us until May 2012.

Though not selling in huge numbers the Hyundai i40 is appealing to quite a few and are reasonably popular on the used-car scene. That’s because buyers are increasingly aware of the engineering and high build quality of the latest couple of generations of South Korean cars. 

By the way, the i40 is in a significantly different market segment to the Hyundai i45, which is quite a bit larger, sleeker, more expensive - and less successful downunder. 

The Series II benefits from further work by Australian suspension engineers.

Those travelling in the front of a Hyundai i40 have good-sized seats that are quite comfortable. Rear seat passengers will be short on knee room unless those in the front are willing to give up a little of their space. Despite the sleek roofline, headroom is good in the rear, even with a sunroof fitted. 

Ride and handling are both good, with a sensible balance between firmness and comfort. The Series II benefits from further work by Australian suspension engineers working with South Korean guys to produce the sort of dynamics that are enjoyed by Australian drivers.

Hyundai i40 comes with the option of a 2.0-litre petrol or 1.7-litre turbo-diesel engine. We would probably lean towards the petrol ourselves but, but there’s not a huge amount in it. Try test driving both over a real distance to give you a feel of their performance. 

In the first Series only the entry-level i40 Active is offered with a six-speed manual. It can be specified with a six-speed automatic, the midrange and topline Elite and Premium only come with the automatic. In the i40 Series II, the diesel engine was mated with Hyundai’s new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

A solid makeover to create the i40 Series II in June 2015 added sleeker styling, extra power and the increased use of multimedia technology. Not a lot of these are on the used-car market at this stage, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for them as they are significant improvements on the original.

Hyundai recently celebrated its 30th anniversary in Australia, as such it’s a well established part of the local scene. As is the norm for most cars there’s a strong emphasis on dealerships in the the metro regions, but Hyundai is increasingly looking at country cities and major towns.

Insurance is generally moderately priced and there’s not a huge difference in premiums.

Any Hyundai, not just an i40 may have been a rental car in its early days and perhaps thrashed by crazy drivers. On the other hand these cars are maintained and serviced strictly by the book. Any one with a lot of kilometres on the clock should be treated with suspicion.

Earlier i40 models were arguably on the cusp of the big improvements being made in build quality by Hyundai. So have a good look at the interiors, which lagged behind the bodies in the upgrades.

Look for seat damage or trim that’s not fitted neatly. We’ve even heard of steering wheels with surfaces peeling.

During your test drive listen for in-cabin squeaks and rattles that may indicate parts not fitting correctly.

Turbo-diesel engines will take longer to fire up than petrols, but if one seems too bad have it checked in a workshop. Ideally one that specialises in Hyundais.

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i40 warranty and clutch replacement

As I am sure you have been told clutches are considered wear and tear items and as such are not covered by the warranty. If it's found the cause is something other than a worn clutch rectification would possibly be covered by the warranty, but if it's shown to be a worn clutch you will be up for the cost of repairs, which will include the cost of tearing it down. I don't see there's any escaping that cost.

Best used wagon?

The i40 is a good choice; it ticks most of the boxes. It’s well equipped, well built, reliable and durable. You could also look at wagons like the VW Passat, Ford Mondeo and Mazda 6, but it’s hard to go past the i40.

Hyundai i40 exploding rear glass

Normally the glass isn’t covered by the warranty; it comes under the wear-and-tear category and so is excluded. But a shattered rear glass would appear to be different to the regular run of glass failures. I would first attempt to negotiate with Hyundai and mount a case for compensation that they couldn’t possibly refuse. You could go to the Ombudsman, but that will take time and I would doubt if it would ultimately help.

Hyundai i40 wagon vs Mitsubishi Outlander as family cars

You will definitely find it easier to work with the Hyundai at your height, and it's a very practical wagon as well. I'm not a fan of the Outlander, which makes it easy to recommend the i40.

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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