Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

A few Elantra owners have asked me when the Elantra will be included in this survey. This depends on how soon 25 owners sign up for a model year. The 2007 is closest, with 18, followed by the 2002, with 16.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

 

A few model years have now made it over the bare minimum, but still need more participants for all years.

Vehicle reliability research

 

Those results posted. Repair rates for the 2007 and 2008 appear to be about average. Not enough data yet for other years.

Next update in February. Additional participants would enable us to include more model years.

For the details, and to sign upto help:

Car reliability research

 

We have updated results for the Elantra. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 48, about average, not far from "better than average"

2007: 45, small sample size, but very similar to the result for the 2008

2005: 95, about average for this year, very small sample size though

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

We now have a separate results page for each model that includes the results for competitors. The page for the Elantra:

Hyundai Elantra reliability comparisons

 

292 Elantra owners signed up to partcipate so far. A good start, but more remain needed.

Car reliability research

 

We have updated results for the Elantra. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 39, about average, but close to "better than average"

2007: 43, small sample size, but very similar to the 2008 result, reinforcing it

2005: 73, about average

2003: 82, about average

2002: 179, much worse than average--with larger sample size might be lower

Sample sizes are small for all but the 2008.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Hyundai Elantra reliability comparisons

 

Now 314 signed up. In about a month we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More always helpful.

Car reliability research

 

I'm 99% sure that the car I'm going to be buying in the next week or 2 will be an Elantra. Where I live, I've seen several 2003's, 2 - 2000's, and 1 2008. For some reason I've never seen a 2005 or 2006. Now I'm seeing that they are not represented in this survey as well. What is up? I'd love to know more about these model years' reliability.

 

The Elantra has 4 generations:
J1 = 1992-1995
J2 = 1996-2000
XD = 2001-2006
HD = 2007-up

There was a slight external facelift in 2004. 2001-03 are called XD1's while 2004-06 are called XD2's. Basically they are all the same car so what goes for 2001-03 could be considered the same for 2004-06.

 

Here's a cool site with reliability ratings for 1996 to 2006 Elantra's
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Re...&model=Elantra