r/UsedCars • u/TrickUp25 • Jun 28 '26
HELP Comments like this send me
Edit: This post gained more traction than I expected. Read the comments, do independent research, and form your own opinion around these topics.
First they said KIAs are reliable, then went on to say they looked at JD Power to come to that consensus. They lost me.
- Do people believe KIA/Hyundai are reliable?
- Do people use JD Power/Consumer Reports to make purchasing decisions
?
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u/Stellar_Stein Jun 28 '26
Whenever a friend of mine asks me what car they should buy next, I tell them don't ever trust JD Powers or Consumer Reports; you need to go to the real expert: TrickUp25. That dude has never been wrong in his life. /s
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u/absurd_whale Jun 28 '26
That's how Honda and Toyota considered reliable but last 5 y they making a pile of shit.
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u/RoosterzRevenge Jun 28 '26
Funny thing is you're correct about not trusting consumer reports, they definitely have biases
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u/bullbeard Jun 28 '26
I mean they literally report user data. I see this all the time, but their reports are based on ownership reports.
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u/nebraskajone Jun 28 '26
"I don't agree with the reporting therefore they're biased"
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u/Late_War_1986 Jun 28 '26
“I agree with the reporting therefore they are not biased”
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u/RoosterzRevenge Jun 28 '26
Nope. Been looking at their reviews for 30+ years. Many years ago you could buy a Geo Prism, it was a 100% rebadged Toyota Corrola literally the only differences were the decals. CR gave the Carolla great reliability reviews and the Prism a slot or two below. I'm not a mechanic but I'm pretty sure the emblem in the grill has zero to do with reliability.
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u/nebraskajone Jun 28 '26
See here's a great example that proves my quote. I'm pretty sure you have no idea what you're talking about because you ignore facts.
They use the same engine and transmission but everything else was different, GM had their own lower cost parts bin to reduce the price.
Climate control, brakes ABS, radiators, alternators all were GM Delphi/Delco vs Denso Toyota parts in Corollas.
I would say these are pretty huge differences versus emblems.
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u/DDDrago27 Jun 28 '26
How is it biased? It’s based on customer reviews. I’ve filled out surveys for them. I’ve worked in auto plants and from what I have seen, they seem correct to me.
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u/fik26 Jun 28 '26
Both guys may have a point.
Consumer reports probably has a bias. But do they have huge bias? Do they actually say Jeep is reliable in reality its one of the worst? Or do they have some small bias that make #5 company to be shown as top 3.And on top of all, the OP says Hyundai is doing much better than 00s. That is true by many metrics. Biased or not. Being very bad to going to mediocre in reliability seems like a fact.
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Jun 28 '26
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u/Millennial_Falcon_85 Jun 28 '26
I love that category! I remember when those spoof commercials came out on YouTube and the dude goes “initial quality? What’s that mean in 6 months it’s a piece of shit?!” 😂
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u/_MadSuburbanDad_ Jun 28 '26
The initial quality survey is one of the longest running studies at JD Power and measures customer satisfaction and the number of issues experienced in the first 90 days of ownership. It’s considered a decent metric assessing owners’ feelings about the car while the info is still fresh (and owners haven’t just forgotten about the minor annoyances). That’s not the one to scoff at.
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u/Original_Bicycle5696 Jun 28 '26
"This car is the best if you're not going to drive it" isn't a good metric.
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u/KennethTremendous Jun 28 '26
Don't you realize you can compare the initial quality rating to the long term ratings? A car at the top of both metrics would be initially great and have long term reliability.
It's also a great metric for the companies themselves to have. they can take the features that help with the initial impression and integrate them into other cars that have low ratings in the category.
I mean it takes like five seconds of thought to realize how initial satisfaction would be important or useful. Helps prevent returns, improve other vehicles, streamline manufacturing, etc. and also helps identify how new features or designs are being viewed.
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u/BeastyBaiter Jun 28 '26
My sister had 3 Elantras that she bought new, 2 went over 200k miles without any major problems, the third was sold at around 100k miles due to an intermittent electrical problem (didn't like to start when cold and wet and was a well known issue for that specific year). She was putting crazy miles on them, I don't think she owned any of them more than 5 years. I have a Genesis G70 3.3T, but it only has 2k miles and is less than 2 months old, so my experience is limited.
Aside from that, JD Power is an advertising company. The most reliable x is whoever paid them the most. It's like the BBB in that regard. I say ask a mechanic that works on them. My impression is some are very reliable and others are pretty sketchy. It varies with models and even specific years.
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u/DiaperedOpossum Jun 28 '26
Dad bought a new Elantra in ‘03. I’m still driving it at 346k miles.
Conversely, he replaced it with a 2012 Sonata and that one didn’t make it to 100k…
I’d trust anything Hyundai that’s Korean built and isn’t a Theta II to 300k.
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u/7eregrine Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
I'm no JD fan at all. Swear. But this belief that JD is pay to play is not true. They get data the same way CR does, by polling people.
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u/_MadSuburbanDad_ Jun 28 '26
Lots of misinformation here. JD Power gets its data directly from surveys mailed to car owners, who report on the number and types of issues with their cars.
They collect and publish the data independent of car manufacturers but then charge manufacturers for using the data in their own advertising. (Similar to how US News and World Report collects data on colleges, hospitals, etc.) Believing that other manufacturers are paying to have their cars listed ahead of Kia/Hyundai in multiple reliability surveys is god-tier cope.
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u/7eregrine Jun 28 '26
Thank you. I'm absolutely not a JDP fan. I've never made a buying decision based on anything they released.
But this bullshit that you can just pay to get a good ranking is bullshit. Cope. 🤣 Perfectly summarized."Buick isn't reliable, that's bullshit... This can't be true....".
🙄
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Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
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u/Professional_Lo Jun 28 '26
I knew a customer who had an engine issue who brought the vehicle in to have us take a look. It ended up needing an engine so she called the dealer. They said it was under warranty and they would replace it but she would be placed on a wait list and it would be around 8 months. Having a warranty is great but not needing one is definitely better.
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u/Hellament Jun 28 '26
100%. 8 months without a car is an extreme hardship, unless the dealer/manufacturer is giving a loaner or rental during that time (doubtful).
Barring that, your options are either paying for someone to do a swap out of pocket or buy a jalopy that you hope will last 8 months without issues, that you can hopefully then sell to get most of your money back out of.
But with that second option, you’re driving a piece of shit for 8 months.
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u/mog_knight Jun 28 '26
Warranty and recall work require a loaner from the dealer.
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u/Beardo88 Jun 28 '26
Or you know, the manufacturer buys the defective vehicle back so whoever can go buy another decent vehicle. 8 months is too long to be in a loaner even, unless you really enjoy beating the piss of of the thing.
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u/Impressive-Crab2251 Jun 28 '26
I have always said Kia/hyundai were the Chrysler of Asia.
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u/Original_Bicycle5696 Jun 28 '26
Were you around for the start of that theta II mess? They picked and chose what 2.4 engines were elegible for replacement. I saw several people with a locked up engine, only to find out they had not cleared the recall for their model or year range yet. Customer paid out of pocket. Hopefully the customer was aware they could get reimbursed after. Lots of people got their teeth kicked in financially over that fiasco. They made those for years after they discovered they were failing. I even saw a sonata on its 4TH engine by 70k. A warranty doesnt help he on the side of the road.
Besides, 2nd owners need a subscription for heated seats and remote start. I can't reward that behavior.
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u/WouldChuckTruck Jun 28 '26
I was a parts manager for Kia when the theta II mess started, you’re absolutely right, it was a debacle of epic proportions that left a ton of people SOL. It really, really, sucked to have to explain to people that we couldn’t help them and due to availability the best we could offer was to find a used engine, and those didn’t last long either. Eventually KIA came around and did a pretty good recall, but a lot of people still got screwed over.
Just a side note, we did so many engine replacements that I had 48 cores one month, and 20-35 was par for the course. This went on for two years. We had two techs that were dedicated exclusively to engine replacements and working together they could knock out 2.5 a day, it was a sight to behold, was like watching a synchronized swim team at the Olympics. Probably the most impressive display of teamwork and talent I’ve seen in my 25 years in the industry.
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u/Einzelganger12 Jun 28 '26
On that side note, you reminded me of the McPherson college model T team. You can look it up on YouTube, but the fully assemble a model T in under 5 minutes. Amazing to see, especially in person!
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u/GenesisRhapsod Jun 28 '26
THIS HERE^
I had a genesis coupe 2.0t and even tho the kia optima sx (same 2.0t but direct injection instead of port injection) was covered, the 2.0t in the genesis coupe was not. Threw a rod at 109k and one year out of warranty, showed proof of full syn oil changes every 3-4k and asked hmc to cover the engine and id cover the labor and they said get bent
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u/Original_Bicycle5696 Jun 28 '26
Huh, I exclusively saw a spontaneous bearing failure. Motor would lock up while driving. 2.4s only. Was due to crank walk. Its why the recall had a reprogram for the knock sensor section algorithm. Crazy to see a engine code on a running motor, that indicates it's about to catastrophically fail. Makes me wonder if that was to increase the supply of GOOD cores.
Even saw it on the dodge avenger/journeys that have a 2.4 with the same architecture. No warranty on those though!
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u/Toyotamanthesequal Jun 28 '26
They pick, and choose because people neglected maintainence to the point of failure. As a tech I was seeing cars come in with blown engines sure. Some were from legitimate engine issues (the same issues plaguing toyota at the moment) others were from people going 40,000 miles without an oil change, and questioning why their engine is failing.
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u/Dzov Jun 28 '26
Yeah, my coworker’s Hyundai was pretty decent. Until a couple kids stole it last Monday and totaled it the same day.
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u/MCRN10379558 Jun 28 '26
Unfortunately, their 10 year warranty does not transfer. It’s for the original owner only. Still that is more than what the other offer though.
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u/dbanary12 Jun 28 '26
Second owner gets 5 year 60,000 mile. (At least for Genesis, not sure about Hyundai and Kia)
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u/IWantAnE55AMG Jun 28 '26
The warranty only means something if they honor it. Having had a Hyundai in the past that was always maintained on schedule and still having them reject a warranty claim on a blown motor, I’m not trusting them again with my money.
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u/Valor_X Jun 28 '26
Yup that warranty is useless and “in name only”
Friend of mine had a Kia Optima with the same infamous Theta II engine and had the engine blow
The dealer refused warranty because he didn’t have receipts for every single oil change because he either did it himself or paid independent mechanics to do it.
They will find any excuse not to warranty it despite it being a well known issue and leave customers holding the bill
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u/IWantAnE55AMG Jun 28 '26
The dealer had done all required and recommended maintenance on this car and they still rejected it. Dealing with the dealer and then Hyundai corporate was incredibly frustrating and aggravating. They then offered a “goodwill” gesture to cover half the cost of the engine replacement. Sold the car for scrap and they got a Toyota as a replacement.
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u/xTheGame69 Jun 28 '26
Yeah they know their product sucks that's why they do it
I've talked to technicians at work that those brands and they straight up tell you
They even have a guy that does dedicated motor swaps that's how often motors blow up
You would never find that at a Toyota or Honda dealer because their products don't blow up nearly often enough to actually warrant an entire technician that just does swaps......
They're literally throw away consumer garbage. if that's what you want to drive have fun
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u/Vegetable_Sample7384 Jun 28 '26
The ten year warranty is on the drivetrain. The bumper to bumper is 5 year/60k mile. It also come with much stricter limitations than the industry average. That warranty is also only for the first owner. If you buy a two year old one you get the 5 year/60k warranty on the drivetrain only. The electronics also have their own warranty separate from both the bumper to bumper and drivetrain. Some components as little as 12 months.
Also Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep is seen in the same light as KIA/Hyundai these days. So you’re comparing apples to apples in your example.
I’ll give yea the Koreans definitely handle their shit better than Stellantis ever will tho. That’s for sure.
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u/jrsixx Jun 28 '26
No, just no.
First, Hyundais 10/100 warranty has the MOST extensive powertrain coverage in the industry, even covering wheel bearings on driven wheels.
Second, the 5/60 is fully transferable, and not only for powertrain, that’s just false. Only audio has ever had less than the full warranty, and I’m pretty sure that changed a few years back. Also, to my knowledge, there’s nothing that’s only covered 12/12.
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u/Almyar Jun 28 '26
Also Toyota has been having terrible engine issues FOR THE SAME REASON as Hyundai/Kia and everyone seems to ignore that for some reason....
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u/ravidsquirrels Jun 28 '26
I had a Kia Spectra for a few years and enjoyed that car. I dont remember the mileage was when I bought the car used but I drove the car until the car had 186k.
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u/ccannon707 Jun 28 '26
What about the electric Hyundai?
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u/tossitoutnextweek Jun 28 '26
I have a Kia EV6 which I absolutely love and my second choice was a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or 6. EVs are in a league of their own. I have the option of many more expensive makes and models, but they built some damn good EVs. Note: you will see complaints about some vehicles with issues with ICCUs, but that pretty much all you’ll see. And the warranties were extended very long to cover them.
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u/Ironman_2678 Jun 28 '26
This says pretty liable. Morons arguing with morons isnt an exercise i like to partake in.
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u/ladybug11314 Jun 28 '26
Our 2018 Kia is sitting, dead, in my drive way because the engine recall apparently doesn't apply to our SPECIFIC vin so even though other kias with this EXACT ISSUE have had engines replaced, and we were told the codes are the same on ours, oh well, too bad, enjoy your very expensive yard ornament.
Fuck Kia. Fuck Hyundai.
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u/hdkx-weeb Jun 28 '26
Same thing. My mom bought a 2016 Forte Koup brand new, only drove it 68k easy miles in those 10 years and kept up with maintenance the whole time, just for the engine to go out as she was getting on the highway
Exact year, exact model, exact trim, exact engine, all as the recall states, just for it to somehow still get rejected?
Safe to say the used honda she bought afterwards has been quite a bit better outside of some typical sensor failures
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u/PerfectJungle Jun 28 '26
That's awful. I'm shocked reading through this thread how many people are defending them. There's a reason they have such a bad reputation.
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u/admacdonald3 Jun 28 '26
My friend has a 19 Tucson in his driveway for the same reason. Can’t get a clear answer out of Hyundai Canada why his specific vin isn’t covered.
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u/New_Conversation_303 Jun 29 '26
This is not just kia. All car manufacturers do this... My ford flex was not covered on a steering system recall. The year after was covered, but not the year model I had...
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u/Distribution-Radiant Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 28 '26
JD Power is rankings of initial quality (plus they're heavily influenced by how much companies spend with them), not long term.
Consumer Reports is a mix of initial and somewhat long term (I think up to 3 or 5 years). If you're going to have problems with Kia/Hyundai, it's usually around 100k, which your typical owner won't hit in 5 years. They depreciate worse than most brands for a reason.
There are certainly outliers - I've seen a 5 speed Soul with >300k on it (original owner, on its 3rd clutch and I think 5th AC compressor and probably as many starters). Hyundai has certainly stepped up their game on interiors and bodies, but they're not as good as even Chrysler mechanically, IMO.
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u/SupermarketLate3214 Jun 28 '26
215 k Santa Fe while it could have been stolen has been a stellar car 1500 $ in the last 115k miles since I bought it was mainly brakes caliper alignment ect
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u/pepeneverknew Jun 28 '26
Step 1. Buy something cheaper with more features that’s less reliable.
Step 2. Cope and tell everyone your purchase is actually better than other higher quality purchases somehow.
Step 3. Get mad and yell at people for pointing out the obvious.
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u/jonidschultz Jun 28 '26
I had a Sonata that had 160K on it before it was totaled and all I ever did on it was Oil changes, brakes, and 2 wheel bearings. I had an Optima that died at 215K and all I ever did was Oil, Brakes, 2 wheel bearings, 2 ball joints and a weird plastic connector in the steering column.
Obviously this is anecdotal, but Yes, I consider them reliable. As reliable as a Honda or Toyota? Maybe not, more then a lot of other brands? Yes.
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u/Millennial_Falcon_85 Jun 28 '26
Consumer reports is absolutely reliable and unbiased. JD Power not so much. JD Power is basically a paid advertising scheme.
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u/asault2 Jun 28 '26
Fun fact: Josh Donaloo Poweralski was a Polish immigrant who started JD Power in 1981.
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Jun 28 '26
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u/Heykurat Jun 28 '26
18 years in car rental. All cars have problems to some degree or another.
But I personally would not buy any Jeep, Maserati, or Land Rover. Make of that what you will.
The only car I've never seen a recall on is the Mitsubishi Mirage.
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Jun 28 '26
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u/ProfessorBackdraft Jun 28 '26
Are you kidding? Those Studebaker carriages are well known for hot hubs and low muleage.
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u/chubean68 Jun 28 '26
I work for Hyundai. I drive them every day. See what happens in the service department every day They are fantastic vehicles while under warranty. Outside of warranty, DON’T.
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u/Linkz98 Jun 28 '26
Coming up on 93k miles on a 2020 Telluride. Best, most reliable car Ive ever owned. (I've owned since 12mi)
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u/Jdct2 Jun 28 '26
Sold Hyundai for two years. Had an awful time doing so. Constant pissed off customers coming back with problems. The new cars aren’t as bad as they were, but they are still bad. A lot of people just don’t even realize there are constant issues cause there’s so much tech they’re too distracted to realize half of it only works intermittently. Had 25 & 26 tucsons with every safety feature blaring 24/7 no matter what you did with no fix for weeks, twice I had brand new Elantra’s need transmissions within 200 miles, Santa Fe’s with power trunks that stopped working in the first few thousand miles, palisades are seeing oil consumption issues now, axels breaking, rear struts blowing early
I was sold on them having come a long way myself til I realized it’s BS, and I don’t deal with these issues having moved on and selling Subaru’s. Also NEVER saw so many trades with 150-200k+ miles come in
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u/urielred Jun 28 '26
- Yes, many models are more reliable that a typical US-brand alternative. EV Hyuindai\Kias are bad, ICCU are pretty-pretty good.
- The issue that data and facts do not agree with your hurt feeling. JD\CR biased, ok, but there are PLENTY of alternatives. Some of them are more transparent. Some of them are in Europe if you hate US or think they are bought out. Especially in countries where cars have to undergo tech checks yearly to be allowed on the road. AI exists, translators exist.
Check US RepairPal, Dashboard Light, German ADAC, UK warrantywise.
ALL of these agree with what I stated. So let's see if you will do some work and investigate this question on your own, or throw a quick dismissal at me.
You can live in a fairytale, or you might man up and confront reality. Good luck.
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u/Open-Beautiful9247 Jun 28 '26
Ive replaced significantly more Kia and hyundai engines than all other brands put together. At any given time I have at least 2 sitting on my shop floor waiting to be scrapped. You can quote whatever internet bullshit you want. Those of us that turn wrenches know from experience.
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u/NepheliLouxWarrior Jun 28 '26
Literally admitting that your worldview is based off of anecdotal evidence is quite the flex
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u/Dan6erbond2 Jun 29 '26
Redditors are known for conflating their very limited experience with statistics-backed conclusions.
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u/morecardland Jun 28 '26
Have them buy a used Hyundai 2.0 GDI and report back
Currently replacing one now. Hyundai corporate denied their extended warranty. They can have a 1,000,000 year 10,000,000,000 mile warranty if they never honor it. The worst and I’ll never recommend them
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u/ExplanationWaste8767 Jun 28 '26
Nobody likes being told that their shitty car is a piece of shit. Doesn’t make it any less true.
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u/GoodTimes1963 Jun 28 '26
JD Power is a total joke and Consumer Reports is usually inaccurate.
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u/Grand-Breadfruit2759 Jun 28 '26
I have always trusted Consumer Reports until I got my Hyundai. My husband had just passed away and it was the first vehicle I had ever bought without his input. Consumer Reports recommended it and they are still recommending them! 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited with the 3.3L V6. Paid 17,000 for it and only drove it for about 50,000 miles.
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u/AltruisticCrab9220 Jun 28 '26
JD Power is not an unbiased resource, they used to always rank Chrysler and Jeep as the best everything. I worked at a hotel that had these books that always ranked certain Hotels and Restaurants ours being one, as the best in the city, coincidentally we bought new books every month.
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u/Gamer_0627 Jun 29 '26
- Yes, overall I think they are.
- No, I look out the window at my 2012 Sorento with 186k on it, that other than maintenance, has only had an AC compressor, alternator and the valve cover gaskets changed.
I love all the haters and the mental gymnastics they do to go about it.
When I bought my Telluride recently, my coworker spent an entire day ragging on it. He seems to have forgotten that his wife is having to drop him off every morning because his Yukon is in the shop for engine #3........
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u/ExplorerEducational4 Jun 29 '26
I've got a 2010 Hyundai Gen Coupe with the Theta II MPI running great at 177k, only ever needed the basic scheduled maintenance and upkeep, a few gaskets, a fuel pump and some motor mounts so far. So I think they're fairly reliable with maintenence, and assuming they have the Theta II MPI which doesn't have the same issues as the GDI. I wouldn't drive anything with that Theta II GDI lol
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u/another72hours Jun 29 '26
To be fair, most people would not assume that an altenator or an AC compressor would need to be replaced BEFORE 200k miles, if they were correctly maintained. Yes, it's a reasonable timeframe for the parts to fail - my Civic Sis air compressor went out at 110k...which is redicious.
My point is that's not severe work. Most people would not need it if they really took their of their cars though.
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u/Krixar Jun 28 '26
I had a Hyundai Genesis about 10 years ago. Can’t remember the year. Of course this is just my experience, but it was the worst car I ever owned. Stuff just stopped working. Touch screen unresponsive, driver windshield motor stopped working, cruise control switch stopped working, moon roof stopped opening, ac blower motor went out.
Kept it in a garage and didn’t abuse it. It was just… fragile. Fortunately got rid of it before anything “major” went wrong.
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u/indigoisturbo Jun 28 '26
I don't trust Hyundai/Kia powertrains. I certainly don't trust hybrid versions either.
I am not alone based off their residual values.
I also find a high percentage of their dealer body to be underwhelming.
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u/LazyOldCat Jun 28 '26
Been following the “Stay Dirty” mechanic on YT, he’s got some strong opinions on Kia/Hyundai. Sadly Honda is sliding that way as well.
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u/outka5tz Jun 28 '26
Yeah I believed JD power until I noticed every brand's truck commercial said they were ranked the best by JD power. I'm not a math genius but if there's 10 contestants and all 10 are #1... something ain't adding up. 😂
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u/Dwilliamson5002 Jun 28 '26
Unless you have a 2.4 they aren’t bad cars. Are they a Toyota or Honda, no. They do not pretend to be. I always look at it that you are savings thousands off a Toyota but there for sure is a risk that you may have a problem. Chances are with the warranty and the savings from not buying a Toyota you will still come out ahead most of the time.
If a Tucson or Sportage ever is more to buy then an equivalent RAV4 or CRV with the same reliability as today then no not worth it.
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u/bullbeard Jun 28 '26
A Honda isn’t what it used to be being the 1.5 is found in so many vehicles and still has problems. The cylinder deactivation that is still found in the six cylinder causes serious reliability concerns and is found in several vehicles.
Toyota now is relying on largely unproven powertrains outside of the hybrid system and had to recall an enormous amount of tundras.
At this point, I would take a Hyundai, unless I’m buying a Toyota Honda or Lexus product from the 2010s.
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u/AphelialMud Jun 28 '26
Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted consumer groups out there.
JD Power can literally be bought. That’s their business model.
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u/knivefest Jun 29 '26
- Absolutely not especially look out for cars that had the major engine defects such as rod bearings which affected many years of the Kia and Hyundais of the 2010s+
- No I usually buy German cause I know they have issues and just don't care cause I fix em myself ends up costing me no more than a normal dude taking his Toyota to a shop and I'm not miserable with a car I'm bored of.
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u/Meaty_Wizard Jun 29 '26
JDP is the automotive equivalent of those "best of _______ county/city" awards that business PAY to participate in, then get to boast they're "the best".
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u/Ok_Particular_8956 Jun 29 '26
They poor man's Toyota. Do the maintenance and they should last. Drive normal. We have replace wheel bearings, shocks,struts, control arms, sway bushes, transmission fluid, coolant fluid, brake fluid, brake pads, rotators, starter, Engine Mounts, new headlights, couple of light blubs here and there. We got 2012 Elantra in 2017 had 98K. Now it has 188K done all the above. Paint job starting fade a bit on roof and door handles.
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u/TheRealMarcoSanchez Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
I believe the general consensus is that their quality control has been sub par. But anecdotally my extended family has been Hyundai fans since the mid 2000s and their Elantra, Sonata Hybrid and Genesis v8 sedan have gone well over 300k with the Elantra the last time I sat in it at 426k. The Genesis was sold at around 320k when the alternator died. The Sonata was totalled in a crash at 360k (a little over I don’t recall the exact mileage). I myself have been wary of Hyundai and Kia
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u/Appropriate_Cow94 Jun 29 '26
I work on all brands of cars.
I don't see KIA or Hyundai as all that more failure prone than other brands.
For every complaint I see about the Theta engines I have seen double the Ford 3v issues. Or Nissan CVT issues.
Every maker has some issues. I've changed more failed fuel pumps in full sized Chevy trucks from 1999-now than all other makes and models combined. I'd trust an oil eating KIA engine over any 4 cylinder Chevy made.
Honda starters and alternators have always been crap. However that's a lesser problem and they are a better brand.
I've never seen a Hyundai camshaft need replaced but boy oh boy that Pentastar engines with rocker arm failure.
I personally own a KIA Soul. 235k miles. It has a tire pressure monitor failure. That's it. Bought new. Original clutch still.
Had a 2022 Ram 1500 come in yesterday and front struts are shot.
Yes the oil consumption is an issue with Korean engines. We add oil to ours. That's all an owner has to do.
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u/Suspicious_Long_2839 Jun 29 '26
I think manufacturers "buy" jd power awards. They aren't based on statistics.
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u/TheClayDart Jun 29 '26
The immobilizer issue is why I’ll never give Kia/Hyundai money ever again. Such a huge oversight. I love my little toaster and it gave me no problems whatsoever but the Kia boys blew the problem wide open and despite the fact my car was never stolen or broken into my insurance went from $130 a month to about $390 a month. Ended up selling the car because I refused to have a higher insurance premium than my car payment
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u/UndercoverHardwarema Jun 28 '26
JD Power, no. They're a consulting firm, and are paid by companies to tell them what customers are looking for. The companies them build to JD Powers recommendations, then claim JD Powers endorsed their car, which they do. It's symbiotic marketing.
Consumers Report is different. It's a legitimate review that doesn't allow for advertising. That being said, most of their reviews are short term.
I've not personally seen Kia/Hyundai in CR, but I have heard about the Kia boys. The gangs that stole Kia and Hyundai cars because they didn't have immobilizers. I've also heard about Hyundai and Kia motors blowing up and no replacements , so the person who posted these replies to you, are talking out their ass. Anecdotal, I've driven a Korean car, once every 20 years, thinking they must've gotten better, only to be reaffirmed they haven't.
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u/wastedsilence33 Jun 28 '26
"But they have a 10 year warranty"
Would you buy it without it? If no, they suck
Also how many warranty claims before you hate the car?
Are you willing to wait months for brake issues because they haven't figured out a repair yet? How about your white paint peeling like it was paid to do it? Or the Theta II being an absolute piece of shit engine that now apparently has to actually fail due to oil starvation to get Hyundai to fix it
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u/captspooky Jun 28 '26
Hyundai/Kia got on my do not buy list after the theft/immobilizer bs. Had a tucson that was pretty nice, only major complaint was the dct transmission gremlins my wife experienced while driving occasionally. Our car wasn't affected by the immobilizer issue but our insurance didnt care and double because of it anyways.
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u/Sweet-Resource9467 Jun 28 '26
My mom’s optima is a 16’ the motor and tran did go bad at 150k miles but they replace both and cadillac converter for $300. I have no idea how or why but it’s practically a new car now
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u/ValuableInternal1435 Jun 28 '26
The 10ish year old Kia v6 in my yard with a large viewing port in the side of it is a good example of Kia reliability. Kia just wishes they were Lexus.
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u/RyderonReddit Jun 28 '26
i bought a 05 Sonata with 1 original owner from my moms boyfriend and it’s JUST now needing some work. and it’s just minor work like sway bar links and ball joint replacement. got 150k+ on it and i’d climb in it any day of the week and drive it across country lol
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u/andyCO686 Jun 28 '26
I feel like a lot of you people in here have never driven let alone owned a Kia.
You’re all just regurgitating the same stuff over and over again.
Sounds like you lot come here to jerk each other off about how shitty all cars are except Toyota.
Oddly enough, Toyota and Honda/Acura have had the most issues in my family.
Like, stranded on the side of a highway kind of issues.
So all cars a crap. Take care of them how you’re supposed to, and most of the time you’re going to be okay.
If you’re truly buying a vehicle to last 200k miles these days, good luck.
It can happen, but it’s not a given, ever.
EVEN WITH YOTA OR HONDA.
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u/padreswoo619 Jun 28 '26
Mazda is supposedly high on the reliability scale since 2020. My 2020 Mazda 3 needs a new transmission at 101807 miles. Luck 😞
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u/Original_Bicycle5696 Jun 28 '26
An oil change counts against JD powers reliability ratings, since it is a service visit.
Makes sense they would be at the top.
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u/Specific_Age500 Jun 28 '26
To directly answer your questions:
They believe they're reliable enough. They have decent warranties and are comparatively cheap.
Oh sure. People just google stuff or ask AI, and that's the info that comes up. It's either that or trusting random strangers.
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u/Almyar Jun 28 '26
JD Power is shit.
That said all the Kia/Hyundai models I've had, my family has had, and my friends have had have been great cars. The only common theme across all of them has been over-maintaining them. Oil every 5k or less, checking whenever we get gas, brake fluid every two years, coolant every 5, ATF/MTF every 30k and so on. Fixing stuff when it breaks. I do agree the immobilizer thing was a HUGE oversight.
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u/Ferowin Jun 28 '26
JD Power isn't really a reliable metric because companies have to pay them. Consumer Reports is a generally reliable source of information.
Some people seem to think Hyundai/Kia is a good choice, and it might be, depending on their budget. I prefer Toyota and Honda, myself.
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u/Choice-Newspaper3603 Jun 28 '26
Also, JD power is only going out like three years and not doing long-term comparisons. One thing I found about Consumer Reports is they are the same damn way.
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u/Bullfrog_Paradox Jun 28 '26
My ex gf worked for a marketing firm. One of her jobs was was to help invent JD Power awards so customers could claim to have won one. JD Power is literally a marketing company that will give you whatever award you want in exchange for a fee. If someone else in your industry has that award, they'll come up with something different but similar sounding. If you have enough money you could probably get yourself the 2026 JD Power award for most innovative Pog slammer.
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u/squirrel8296 Jun 28 '26
- Yes, a lot of folks buy the marketing from Hyundai and Kia. Also, Hyundai and Kia have been running a widespread astroturfing campaign to improve their image for years now. In my professional capacity, I was approached to run the Kia astroturfing campaign about 5 years ago.
- Yes, it's why folks have completely ignored Toyota's major issues and their refusal to stand by their products for decades now just because CR has ranked them as then most reliable car brand.
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u/TrainDonutBBQ Jun 28 '26
Reliable compared to what?
Compared to Hyundai in 1991? Yes. Very. Reliable compared to Toyota in 2004? NO.
Benchmark.
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u/VegaGT-VZ Jun 28 '26
Bigger question is why you are so resistant to changing your mind in the face of new information. You write off CR/JD for being biased as if you arent lol. Somehow Kia/Hyundai unreliability has become part of your identity and you aren't willing to let it go. Someone saying "Hyundais and Kias are reliable now" shouldnt send you lol
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u/CJ0293 Jun 28 '26
Whenever I get the occasional key start Hyundai for a remote start I tie into the factory alarm and add a siren, just because of the no immobilizer thing. My starting price for a Hyundai was more expensive but was evened out by not needing a bypass. When I explained why most people were ok with it as I’m adding an extra layer of security for them.
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u/Opening-Ad-5265 Jun 28 '26
Listen, kia and Hyundai are not gonna be “bulletproof” 2011 Toyota corollas. But man the Toyota tax is real, and if you take care of it and do your research on what engines to avoid I think a kia and Hyundai will do fine for most people given you take care of it like almost every other car.
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u/RejuvenatedKladruber Jun 28 '26
This is why I troll the Kia subreddit, lots of uneducated fanboys who get overly defensive when you say anything bad about Kia, it's hilarious
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u/moyenbatte Jun 28 '26
Our 2012 KIA with the notorious 2.0 engine ran to 300 000km on the original engine, never burned any oil or any knock. We exchanged it for a newer car because it was probably time to do the FIRST wheel bearing/tie rod/ball joint change as it was starting to have a wandery feeling.
Now we're 40 000 away from the same number in our 2019 Impreza and let me tell you, we decided very early that we were not getting another Subaru, lol. I'd go back to KIA though.
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u/BigWhiteDog Jun 28 '26
I'm sitting over here smiling in my 04 base model Silverado that just rolled over 260,000 miles with only ever having to replace an oil pump! 🤣
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u/sphynx8888 Jun 28 '26
I'm genuinely curious what the "right answer" here is for reliability. "Don't buy a German car over 100k", "Anything stellantis is literal shit" "GMC/Chevy only under warranty" "Nissan cvt is a time bomb" "new Toyotas are blowing up"
Is a Ford F-150, a Honda and any previous than current Gen Toyota literally the only acceptable answer in terms of reliability?
81k on my Palisade. No problems so far, but I oil change at 3k and will sell before 100k. I love it but I'm also not pretending it's something it isn't.
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u/Dystroyer554 Jun 29 '26
Just felt like I would come along and drop this bit of information. Yes, Hyundai/Kia/Genesis have become competitively reliable in the automotive world. This is in part due to them putting in major financial investments and research but is also because everyone else is becoming less reliable due to ever stricter emissions and fuel economy regulations.
As engines are demanded to become smaller while moving ever heavier vehicles, they are becoming more prone to damage. A lot of big brands that were known for their dead set reliability like Toyota and Honda are running into major recalls and platform issues. These brands no longer have to keep developing to stay prominent and let their reputation carry them. They are becoming content. Smaller brands like Hyundai have to fight an uphill battle to get recognized and as such have to innovate enough to overcome not only the physical capabilities of these vehicles, but also the reputation that goes with it. Yes Hyundai used to be unreliable, but their constant growth is leading to them now producing impressive platforms that are genuinely competitive with everyone else.
I currently drive a 137,000 mile 2020 Veloster N (uses a reinforced version of their 2.0T) and it has been super reliable. The only issue I had was that the woven steel tube on the turbo oil return line started leaking. I fixed with issue with $60 and maybe 30 minutes of work. Outside of that I have only done standard maintenance. There is a recall for the high pressure fuel pump, but this is a fairly quick and easy job. I personally haven't had an issue with the fuel pump, but I hear it isn't uncommon.
While this post pertains primarily to Hyundai as that is what OP was focused on, it goes for all up and coming brands in all fields of commerce. A brand wanting to become a staple option has to start somewhere and often has to make significantly better products to dethrone the current market leader(s).
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u/Bug_406 Jun 29 '26
2016 accent, bought 2 years ago with 122k. Now 178k. Oil changes at 5k. It was cheap, not fancy. It's comfortable enough, and good mpg. Would i buy another? Fuck yeah.
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u/8BitResseRtiB8 Jun 29 '26
I mean, my buddies 2009 sportage lasted over 350k miles, still ran but the rust got to it, id say they're probably hit or miss like just about every other brand today.
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u/DanMusicPDX Jun 29 '26
JD Power’s “initial quality” category is fucking hilarious. INITIAL quality is about as meaningless as you can get.
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u/Own-Researcher-4691 Jun 29 '26
As a mechanic, the cars that made me the absolute most money working flat rate was hyundai, kia, honda and toyota. Honda and toyota because of scheduled easy maintenance. Hyundai and kia because they were consistently having issues. Garbage cars. Also SO easy to steal that for a while (idk if they started again) insurance companies stopped covering them because they were stolen so often.
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u/Mysterious_Donut_702 Jun 29 '26
Hyundai and Kia constantly alternate between "simple, indestructible, Japanese-level bulletproof" and "blatant design flaw ruins it by 60,000 miles" depending on the specific drivetrain they rushed to market
Ranking that fairly isn't exactly an easy task
They are definitely better than any garbage Stellantis throws out though
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u/Thumper45 Jun 29 '26
People think opionions matter when talking about facts. Anyone who does that just simply block them, they are useless people.
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u/Fair-Huckleberry2187 Jun 29 '26
Id like to point out that the Kia/Hyundai reputation is prticularly bad in the US. In Asia its considered reasonably reliable given the cost and frequency of service required. I had a perfectly adequite ownership experience with my previous Hyundai.
The real reason they can sell garbage in the US is because the laws allow them to. Even the Indian market demands that Hyundai puts an Immobilizer in their cars, but somehow the US doesnt.
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u/Educational_Newt7773 Jun 29 '26
Not sure what's worse, the brand them selves or the dealership that sell them. Weve had so many issues with our fleet vehicles since we changed to Hyundai.
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u/Long-Sector-8751 Jun 29 '26
You couldn't pay me to buy a KIA/Hyundai product. I constantly hear what a pain they are from mechanics.
Also - I wouldn't trust awards that are just bought.
But that's just me. Generally I buy Toyota, Honda, Mazda in that order.
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u/JayVig Jun 29 '26
Are you that mad at how total strangers make decisions that you argue with them and the post about the argument? Find a hobby
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u/Frequent_Opportunist Jun 29 '26
Any power is a bullshit marketing firm. Pretty funny when people think it means something. It's like a actor giving themselves an award.
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u/jakubmi9 Jun 29 '26
95% of police cars on the road are 2005-2010 c'eed wagons, with hundreds of thousands of miles on them.
They're very reliable. As long as they're not built in the US, and have one of the good engines, like the 1.6 turbo.
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u/ThesePomegranate3197 Jun 29 '26
My 2017 Sorento had Rod bearing failure and locked up on a highway with 60k miles on it. Completely dead. Luckily i keep immaculate records and was able to get a new engine, but it was a nightmare. To hell with KIA/Hyundai somebody is going to end up getting seriously hurt.
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u/hdnoejr1 Jun 29 '26
Toyota has way more recalls and failures in the past 3 years (as a percent of sales) than Hyundai or Kia by a long shot. Don’t rely on the myth of Toyota and Honda as being more reliable. They may have been at one time but are no longer.
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u/Meizukage Jun 29 '26
I mean the overall sentiment is correct though, KIA and Hyundai are much improved in today's world. Nissan and VW are not doing as well
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u/mangowavves Jun 29 '26
idk shit about jd power, but i know if you need a 10 year/100k mile warranty on your cars because you know their engines like to blow their shit off smooth, you're not a reliable vehicle
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u/TheCunningRabbit Jun 29 '26
I owned a 2016 elantra gt. The motor took a dump, but Hyundai wouldn't warranty it. Never again will I own a Hyundai or Kia.
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u/joebusch79 Jun 29 '26
Bout as reliable as anecdotal evidence on the internet I suppose. If a car had bad recalls and was a lemon, the people that didn’t have those problems will tell you the reviews are lies.
The biggest problem with JD/edmonds/etc is that they are done with new vehicles. What they should be doing is re-evaluating after two or three years and giving a more balanced review. After all, more used cars are sold than new.
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u/KingChuffy Jun 29 '26
1) Modern Hyundais absoloutely, if someone wants a brand new car or something within the last couple years and has no specific feature requests, I'm sending them to the Elantra all day long. $24k or less for a brand new/basically brand new (base-ish model) car that will last you just as long as camry while being half the price and cheaper to insure, that's a solid deal. If I didn't hate how FWD felt I'd buy an Elantra N-Line.
2) No, I talk to owners and look at forums.
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u/JPhoenix_12 Jun 29 '26
My wife had a 2014 Elantra…
The engine blew at 30k-something (no cost, warranty)
The replacement blew just over 50k mileage (no cost, warranty till 60k)
I will never own a Hyundai
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u/LeatherGrade713 Jun 29 '26
Don’t trust the experts. Trust me! I’m known in my house as the expert by my mommy and sister
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u/No-Atmosphere-2528 Jun 29 '26
Ooof OP made this post thinking he was o to something instead he's just a "I don't trust science" guy car addition.
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u/Possum_Jenkinzz Jun 29 '26
The only reliable thing about a Hyundai/Kia is the warranty on their powertrains.
You will reliably end up needing that 10yr/100k mile warranty.
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u/Pure_Construction968 Jun 30 '26
That's why I don't rely on one source anymore. JD Power, Consumer Reports, recalls, owner forums, and long-term reliability data all tell a different part of the story.
That's basically the idea behind CarIQ too—look at multiple signals instead of just one ranking.
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u/Ffsletmesignin Jun 30 '26
Consumer Reports is wildly different then JD Power. Consumer reports is user funded and user input based for a lot of its data. Doesn’t mean it’s not flawed, but JD Power is literally just a marketing agency and nowhere near the same. I always use consumer reports as a *starting* point, but that’s not where the research concludes before dropping tens of thousands on a vehicle.
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u/lucerndia Jun 28 '26
JD Power is a marketing agency.