Hyundai Problems

The voluntary recall has been issued for the Santa Fe diesels over the risk of a fuel leak and possible fire. Hyundai Australia issued the voluntary recall on 9000 Santa Fe 2.2-litre R diesels built between September 1, 2009 and December 13, 2011.The defect involves a lack of clearance between the engine cover assembly and fuel return hose which could cause wear in the hose, leading to a fuel leak and the risk of fire. However, company spokesman Ben Hershman says not every vehicle will be affected. "There have been no incidences of any problems caused by this issue in Australia to date," he says. "Owners should present the car to their dealer who will inspect all hoses and replace any if there are signs of wear," he says."They may also install a small clip to the return fuel hose to act as an additional protection barrier removing the possibility of interference." Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by letter. Meanwhile, Toyota has issued a voluntary safety recall of 22 RAV4 vehicles over a possible steering problem. The recall involves a defect in a prototype instrument panel reinforcement or steering column support bracket which may have been installed in some RAV4 vehicles.A welded section in the bracket could separate, causing noise. In the worst case, steering operation may be affected. There have been no reported incidents in Australia. Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by telephone and mail. Any authorised Toyota dealer will replace the unit with a new one at no charge to the owner.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011 Hyundai Getz as a used buy.

Larger than average for its class, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a popular SUV that can be used as a family car provided the offshoots haven’t reached their hulking-teen stage.There's good legroom in the rear, but some of that legroom has been gained by stealing space from the front seat occupants. A third-row seat option arrived in the all-new model in 2006. As good luggage space, including side bins and hidden storage space under the floor panel. A retractable blind and luggage net combine to improve safety and security. The rear glass can be opened separately if you don’t want to lift the whole tailgate, a real convenience in cramped carparks.Off-road Santa Fe's better than average for its class and can cope with harsher conditions than those likely to be demanded by the typical owner. It really is a 4WD, not simply an SUV. But don’t mistake if for a full house off-roader or you may get yourself into stuck in awkward areas. The Santa Fe first reached Australia in 2000 and sales were moderately good from the start, though it its somewhat over-the-top styling didn’t appeal to everyone.An all-new, larger, model was launched in May 2006 with a more mainstream look that saw it pick up a lot of buyer interest. The 2006 model was offered with a third row of seats for the first time. As in any vehicle of this size, the extra row of seats steals a lot of the boot area. Ride comfort is generally good and handling is nicely sorted for Australian conditions.The Koreans really seem to have a feel for what Australian drivers like in their vehicles. In the bush the Santa Fe copes well with corrugations, in the suburbs speed-bumps seldom cause any real grief. Santa Fe originally arrived only with the power of Hyundai's 2.7-litre V6 engine, but the range was expanded in 2001 when a four-cylinder 2.4-litre unit arrived. The four-cylinder engine wasn’t all that popular and was taken off the Australian market towards the end of 2003. That’s no reflection on the four-cylinder engine itself and it should make a good used-car buy.Four-cylinder engines in a car of this size can be a bit of a compromise in performance and Hyundai was smart in only importing it with a five-speed manual version as an automatic could have taken away enough grunt to make it unacceptable for some drivers. All V6-powered Santa Fe models have a four-speed automatic transmission. The V6 auto has a sequential function to give the driver a fair degree of manual control and is useful for getting the best from the engine.From late 2006, Hyundai offered its Santa Fe with a turbo-diesel engine for the first time in Australia. The potential fuel savings make it worth hunting down. The Hyundai dealer network is large and generally widespread in Australia. Because most Santa Fe 4WDs are used in the metropolitan areas dealers aren't that common in the bush, so check in our local area to make sure spares and service are on offer close handy. Spare parts prices are about average for this class.Santa Fe is fairly traditional in its mechanical makeup and the good home mechanic will find themselves able to do much of the work. It always pays to have a good workshop manual at hand, and don’t attempt any safety related repairs unless you really know what you are doing.Insurance charges are moderate, though there does seem to be a bigger than average spread of premiums between companies. So it’s worth taking the time to shop around for the best deal for your circumstances.Hyundai Santa Fe works extremely well considering it’s the company’s first attempt at a vehicle in this class. It has since been joined by the slightly softer Tucson SUV and the tough Terracan off-roader, thus making Hyundai very much an integral part of the booming Australian 4WD/SUV scene.WHAT TO LOOK FORLook over the interior for signs of it having had a hard time at the hands of uncaring children. Build quality is generally good, but there can be the occasional rough one.Check for signs of underbody damage caused by harsh off-road use. The body corners and doors sills are often the first to suffer. Also look at the protection plates under the engine for damage.While you are under the vehicle look for white stains that may be the residue of salt water picked up during a trip to the beach. Salt water can create corrosion much faster than fresh.Look for fine scratches in the paint where the body has been squeezed past branches. Deeper scratches are likely to have been caused by trees or rocks.Check that the engine starts easily, that it pulls well and doesn’t hesitate when accelerated suddenly.Make sure the transmission operates smoothly and easily and that there are no funny noises from the driveshafts and universal joints.CAR BUYING TIPBeware the SUV that has been taken to off-road areas by people that don’t know a lot about driving on unsealed surfaces. It may have suffered body, underbody and even suspension damage. 

The i30 was Hyundai's breakthrough model, the one that stamped the brand as having arrived as a serious carmaker. So good was it that it won Carsguide's Car of the Year award -- no mean feat given the opposition it faced.The i30 was launched as a five-door hatch with a choice of three models, the SX, SLX and SR, and a choice of petrol and diesel engines. With smart, modern lines the i30 was immediately accepted by the  Australian car-buying public who most appreciated its looks, but also its roomy cabin and decent boot.Hyundai also won warm applause for offering a diesel engine option to the 2.0-litre petrol engine that was the main engine offered. The petrol engine provided decent performance that was on a par with  others in the class, while the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel provided a fuel-efficient alternative. Both engines were available with a slick five-speed manual, but it  was the petrol engine that could be had with a four-speed auto until 2008 when it also became available with the diesel.All models were quite well equipped. All had air-conditioning, the base SX also had four-speaker sound and iPod connectivity, the SLX got cruise, leather-trimmed steering wheel and a couple of extra speakers for the sound system. The SR was a sportier model with a body kit, and larger alloy wheels. On the road the i30 was just as impressive, with a quiet, comfortable ride and decent handling. The petrol engine was adequate without being outstanding, but it was the diesel that stood out for its overall ease of driveability and its fuel economy.IN THE SHOPHyundai was once unloved by all but cash-strapped buyers. They marketed themselves as producers of cheap and cheerful cars, and the level of complaints seemed to confirm that claim. But, how things have changed. The Korean carmaker is now on the money for build quality and design integrity, and that's reflected in  the standing it now holds in the market. It's now pretty much on a par with the Japanese carmakers, long held as the benchmark for our market, and can be bought with confidence.The i30 doesn't have any issues of concern, but prospective owners should do their due diligence on previous history of cars under consideration. Service is always important; oil changes the key to a long and  healthy life on the road.IN A CRASHThe i30 SX base model with dual front airbags got four stars from ANCAP, a good result at the time for a small car. The higher-spec models with  head and side airbags got five stars. In addition to the airbags the i30 also had anti-skid brakes across all models, while the SLX and SR also had electronic stability control. In October 2009, the entire range received ESC and six airbags, which made for a five-star rating across all models.UNDER THE PUMPWith the prospect according to Hyundai of 4.7 L/100 km the turbo- diesel is the runaway winner of the pump race. The petrol engine, claimed by Hyundai to average 7.2 L/100 km is  acceptable. Owners surveyed by Carsguide reported 8-8.5 L/100 km on average  around town from the petrol auto, and around 6.0 L/100 km for the  diesel auto.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $20,990 to $28,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder, 105 kW/186 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 85 kW/255 NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed autoEconomy: 7.2 L/100 km (2.0P); 4.7 L/100 km (1.6TD)Body: 5-door hatchbackVariants: SX, SLX, SRSafety: 4-star ANCAP.VERDICTLooks good, performs well, well built, good value for money.