10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,998 miles

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problem #3

Jul 122010

Elantra

  • 15,500 miles
I own a 2008 Hyundai Elantra. About 2 months ago, I went to stop at a red light, and instead of stopping, my car made a grinding sound for 4-6 seconds (like my ABS brakes were turning on, but longer) and didn?T stop until it hit the car in front of me (roads were dry & my car was only going about 10 mph). Due to the low speed, my car only bumped the car in front and only bumpers were damaged. I immediately took the car into the dealership to have them check my brakes. They told me they couldn"T find anything. Two weeks later, I"M driving and go to stop at a red light (different light, roads were dry, going maybe 10-15 mph) and my car again makes the same grinding sound for about 5 seconds before I tried to pump the brakes. After I pressed and released the brakes, the grinding sound stopped and the car stopped. I took it into the dealership again, explained what happened. They looked it over, saw no computer read out, and told me they didn"T think there was a problem and unless they could duplicate it, they couldn"T fix it. I was told to come back if it happens again (at which point they could take my car for 2-3 weeks to test it and see if they could find the problem. (I asked, they would not provide a loaner!) the problem has since happened twice more (once in the rain, once on dry roads, & always when I try to stop while traveling 15mph or less). I did research and found out that apparently it is likely due to a defective ABS module (quite a few other people have had a similar problem, although the years and makes differ) and all of them have had the same issue that Hyundai refuses to admit there is anything wrong with the module, but they will replace it for about $1500+labor. I live by numerous schools, so I can"T risk having a car that won"T stop (too many small children that like to run in front of cars), & have no choice but to pay to fix it or get a new car, but they should really do something before someone gets killed because the brakes didn't work.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #2

Jul 312009

Elantra

  • 17,325 miles
Faulty brake light switch caused brake lights to stop functioning as well as preventing automatic transmission from shifting into reverse or drive from park, without using shift lock over-ride. No crashes occurred as helpful motorist notified me of brake light malfunction. There was a recall by NHTSA for earlier model Hyundai Elantras - the 2008 models should be added to the recall. The shift lock issue was a daily occurrence. I had no idea both problems were caused by the same failure. As my car is relatively new and still under warranty I was able to take it to a Hyundai dealership for repair under warranty. If these brake light switches are still faulty, there could be serious accidents. This needs to be address by the manufacturer. The old part is not available as it is in the possession of the dealership.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #1

Apr 112008

Elantra

  • 170 miles
While driving on I-95 North in Maryland, a motorist cut me off suddenly, when I applied the brakes to slow down, the brakes locked and car swerved to the right, crossed all lanes, and rolled over twice. The air bags did not deploy on driver or passenger side. As a result, I received a fractured sternum.

- Clive, IA, USA