Hyundai is the world’s fourth-largest automotive maker known for making inexpensive and readily available vehicles. Hyundai has been a respected automaker for many years. Every Hyundai, from the most basic to the most extravagant, lives up to Hyundai’s promise to be an excellent value for its customers.
Depending on how much you drive daily, your car’s engine could be in perfect working condition for 15 to 20 years. However, to ensure that your car’s engine can last that long, there are a few things that you will need to do on your end to keep it in good working order.
Vehicle Lifespan 101
There isn’t a precise formula for determining how long a vehicle will last. No answer is a hundred percent definitive. A car’s longevity and reliability depend on many factors, which can be roughly divided into two kinds: the ones the owners can control (such as regular maintenance) and those they cannot (such as car make and model).
Hyundais Longevity in Miles and Years
Hyundais have an average lifespan of 100,000-200,000 miles. With proper maintenance, though, a Hyundai can easily surpass 200k miles. Some owners report driving their cars for up to 500,000 miles. Hyundai has an average lifespan compared to typical cars, which is between 150,000 to 200,000 miles.
The typical annual mileage for a car is about 15,000. In light of this, the typical Hyundai will survive 7 to 13 years with the proper care and upkeep.
How Reliable Are Hyundais?
Hyundai’s Warranty
Hyundai offers the best warranty in the United States because the company is confident in the quality of its products. Every new Hyundai comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Their warranty policies are available on their website for those interested in knowing more.
The Statistics
Reliability ratings: Ratings on RepairPal are determined by the frequency, expense, and severity of repairs. After Honda, Acura, and Kia, RepairPal ranks Hyundai as the fourth most reliable manufacturer out of 32 brands.
Repair costs: Across all vehicles, the national annual average repair costs (including scheduled and unscheduled repairs) are around $652. Hyundai is well below this average, with its average yearly repair cost being $468. Visits to the mechanic are also fewer than 0.4 times for all vehicles. On average, a Hyundai will be in the shop 0.3 times per year for unscheduled repairs.
Repair Severity: If a repair costs more than three times the average yearly, it is deemed serious. Only 10% of repairs on Hyundais are considered severe, as opposed to 12% for all other car makes and models.
Engine Reliability
Hyundai engines are considered reliable in most recent models. Even though problematic engines are known for specific old models, most models have engines that can last up to 300,000 miles without a problem. In particular, customers are warned to avoid the 2.4L engine that was standard in models from 2011-2016. It was known to fail, and there were recalls in place.
Most Reliable Hyundai
The Hyundai Santa Fe: It won a J.D. Power Award for Quality in 2019 (The Quality Award is given to the vehicle with the fewest reported problems across 100 vehicles). J.D. Power has also placed Santa Fe in its top midsize SUVs.
Least Reliable Hyundai
To find the Hyundais that are best stayed away from, we must look at the older models.
- Hyundai Sonata (2011): The 2011 Hyundai Sonata had an alarming 3,059 complaints, five investigations, and 14 recalls—37% of the complaints involved issues with the engine.
- Hyundai Elantra (2013): The second worst Hyundai would be the 2013 Hyundai Elantra—common problems with the Elantra concern the transmission and the engine.
Hyundai’s Common Problems
Engine Issues
Many Hyundai engine types produce a constant ticking noise. Most of the time, the 1.8L engine is to blame. While frustrating, it may not indicate anything serious. However, engine bearing failure or connecting rod knocks can also cause ticking or knocking sounds.
Crash Sensor Defect
SF-TRW produced the airbag control units (ACUs) used in Hyundais after 2009. The airbags would not deploy because the collision sensors would fail to send the crash information to the ACUSs. Hyundai has since issued recalls for such models as well as the 2011-2013 Sonata and the 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid.
Anti-Lock Brake System Fire
Hyundais have caught fire because of a short circuit in the Anti-Lock Brake System. The electrical problem typically starts with either water leaking from outside the car or brake fluid leaking inside the car. Unfortunately, this is a real issue in Santa Fe Sport.
Detached Seatbelts
In a crash, the seatbelts on the 2013 Sonata break away from the car frame. The seatbelt’s attachment to the frame is the source of the issue. Hyundai recalled the 2013 Hyundai Sonata and the 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid in 2017.
Life Span By Components
Tires
Tires made by Hyundai typically need to be replaced every three to five years. However, it is crucial to your tires’ health to visually inspect them for foreign objects, bulges, and bumps regularly to catch any problems early on before they become catastrophic.
Hyundai recommends checking the tire pressure at least once a month and rotating the tires every 7,500 to 8,000 miles to ensure maximum tread life.
Batteries
Hyundai’s batteries should last between six and twenty years, depending on the type. According to Kelley Blue Book, batteries for diesel and petrol vehicles should last three to six years. Check the battery terminals on petrol and diesel batteries at least once a month for corrosion or loosening connections for longer battery life.
According to Inside EVs, electric and hybrid batteries can last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced. It is recommended by Hyundai that you never let your electric or hybrid vehicle’s battery charge drop below 20%, that you charge your battery frequently, and that you park in the shade whenever feasible to extend the life of your battery.
Engine
The average lifespan of a Hyundai engine is up to 300,000 miles. One Hyundai owner said the engine had logged over 400,000 miles before requiring significant maintenance. However, if you want your Hyundai engine to last, carefully adhere to Hyundai’s maintenance recommendations.
Lifespan By Model
Elantra
Your Hyundai Elantra should last between 13 and 17 years or 200,000 to 250,000 miles. It has a lengthy lifespan and is an incredibly dependable small car. RepairPal gives it a solid rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is an excellent substitute for the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in the midsize car market. It is a sedan with low-repair costs, a long life, and excellent reliability ratings. Overall RepairPal rating for Sonata (4.0/5.0) is nearly comparable to Hyundai’s rating as a brand (4.3/5.0). With only 0.3 repairs per year, even damage severity is only 11% after repairs.
The Sonata may last a long time, but first, you must eliminate models with a history of pesky problems. Specific years of the Sonata (most notably 2011-2015) are known for having engine seizure issues. The 2011 model year is singled out as the poorest ever on carcomplaints.com. This is supported by data from Consumer Reports, which gives these years a 15 or 25 reliability score.
Santa Fe
Hyundai’s award-winning compact/midsize crossover is an alternative to the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and other vehicles in this highly competitive market. If you drive carefully and keep up with the maintenance, it should last a long time. 13–17 years or 200,000–250,000 miles is the typical lifespan for a Hyundai Santa Fe.
Santa Fe has a RepairPal dependability rating of 4.0 out of 5. Even more impressive than this above-average score is that Santa Fe ranks second-best out of 26 mid-sized SUVs. However, the Santa Fe model years from 2010 to 2015 have received multiple complaints. This is supported by data from Consumer Reports as well.
Accent
U.S. News and World Reports awarded the Hyundai Accent the best subcompact car. Despite this, remember that Accent is Hyundai’s least-expensive vehicle. Manufacturers often use the cheapest parts they can find when making cheap cars. This makes it harder to find (or keep) a high-mileage Elantra.
Multiple car search websites, including CoPilot, show that Accents typically last around 200,000 miles or 13 years. It is also generally considered reliable, with RepairPal ranking it five out of the top 10 most reliable subcompact cars. Comparatively, high-mileage Sonatas and Elantras were found to be more common.
Tucson
The subcompact Tucson typically stays on the road for about 200,000 miles or 13 years. However, some Tucson owners report vehicles with 250,000 plus miles. Even though it has a 4.0/5.0 dependability score, which is typical for Hyundai, and is ranked fifth out of 26 competing models, it is recommended to compare model years.
Kona
The compactness and versatility of the Kona have earned it much-deserved praise. However, since the debut model was in 2018, there is insufficient data to conclude its lifespan. RepairPal has yet to provide a report, and carcomplaints has only a handful of reports for the first model year, which isn’t unusual for a brand-new car. It is too soon to ask, “How long do Hyundais last?” when evaluating the Kona.
Veloster
While this model may appear to be just another compact hatchback coupe, a close analysis reveals a rear-seat access door behind the front passenger door. So, it is a three-door car (plus the liftgate in the back). Beginning in 2020, the Veloster became the high-performance Veloster N. This means the 2012-2019 model years are being considered.
Information is limited from Consumer Reports. RepairPal gives the car a 4.0/5.0 overall score but ranks it nineteenth out of 36 compact cars. Most owner reports from carcomplaints center on issues from the Veloster’s first few years, i.e., from 2012 to 2013.
Hyundai Pricing Strategy
Hyundai’s Efforts to Rise in the Market
Hyundai is still competing to gain market share because it is a more recent foreign automaker. To accomplish this, they sell their vehicles at a lesser price to incentivize buyers to purchase. They are unlikely to continue to provide cheap rates indefinitely. Once they attain a foothold in the car market, these prices will probably go up.
Cheap Lease Deals
Due to the fantastic leasing prices offered by Hyundai, there are a lot of leased Hyundais. This makes buying or leasing a Hyundai cheaper for sellers and lessees. So, Hyundais might be less expensive than their competitors, but they are still good cars made with the same high-quality parts.
How to Keep Your Hyundai Driving as Long as Possible
Preventive Maintenance
- Follow the Suggested Service Schedule: The owner’s manual has a suggested service schedule. Follow it, and you can rest assured your vehicle will last many years.
- Change the Filters: As per the schedule mentioned above, regularly change the filters in your vehicle. Such filters that may require upkeep and replacement are:
- Oil Filter: As the oil circulates through the engine to keep it clean, debris can get caught and decrease the lifespan of your filter.
- Engine Air Filter: This catches airborne particles before they reach and damage the engine. Change the air filter every 30,000-50,000 miles to maintain proper engine air intake.
- Fuel Filter: It prevents particles from crossing the gas tank into the engine compartment. Change the fuel filter every 20,000-60,000 miles or as recommended.
- Cabin Air Filter: Every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, you should swap out your cabin air filter to keep the air clean and fresh in the car.
- Top off Fluids: Many fluids in your vehicle ensure smooth working. Maintaining these fluid levels is essential for the best performance, gas mileage, and overall vehicle longevity.
- Engine Oil: Change it every 3,000-5,000 miles and fill it up if levels run low.
- Brake Fluid: This is pushed through the brake lines and ultimately helps the car stop. Any leakage or dangerously low levels could become a serious safety hazard on the road.
- Transmission Fluid: Put the car in neutral with the engine running to check the transmission fluid.
- Coolant: Coolant keeps the engine from freezing in the winter and overheating in the summer.
- Power Steering Fluid: This important fluid allows the smooth turning of the steering wheel.
- Windshield Wiper Fluid: This fluid may seem insignificant compared to other fluids, but it is vital for visibility on the road.
Protect the Engine
- Avoid Speeding: Pushing your vehicle to move at unnecessarily higher and higher speeds wears down the engine. When a vehicle has to move faster, all the various components are also forced to move faster. This causes the metal to become hotter and subsequently become damaged.
- Drive Steady: When driving, avoid hitting the brakes often. In heavy traffic situations, drivers must make substantial use of the breaks. However, it must be remembered that when you have to stop your car and accelerate often, it strains the engine to work harder.
- Warm Up Your Engine: It damages an engine to run when cold. If the temperatures are near freezing, start the vehicle and let it remain idle for several minutes before driving. This allows the oil and other fluids to warm up and run smoothly through the engine.
Protect the Transmission
The engine and transmission work together as a unit. When the engine works harder, the transmission must work harder to keep up. Like the engine, the transmission is essential to the functioning of your car. Here are some things you can do to extend the life of your transmission.
- Synthetic Transmission Fluid: Synthetic fluids protect the transmission better in extreme temperatures. When your transmission fluid is changed, ask the technician to replace it with synthetic fluid instead of the traditional one.
- Check the radiator: When the radiator is not working correctly, the engine quickly overheats. This damages both the transmission and the engine.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the lifespan of any vehicle comes down to how well you take care of it and how conscientious you are as an owner. And the Hyundai is no different. Be careful in choosing a suitable model and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance manual the best you can.
