Thanks NovaResource, for clearing up the model year confusion. Still, I'm surprised not to see 2005-6 Elantras on the road. Although they may be essentially the same car, I would think wear & tear would typically be less on a newer model than 2002-03.

EricS, that's a good, informative link. But yikes on the 2005 fuel pump problem! Wouldn't that be covered by warranty?

This is probably a good source of information on difficult to fix problems. For overall repair frequencies, though, it's probably just a rough indicator. The data source is a repair service that assists mechanics. Things that mechanics are able to fix on their own they won't hear about.

We tend to have fewer participants for the 2004-2006 because we usually have fewer and fewer participant for a model the further it gets from its first model year. I'm not entirely sure why this is the case. Most likely because the people most enthusiastic about cars tend to buy the first model year or two of a design.

We'd certainly like to provide results for all model years. To help make this possible:

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Elantra to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 34, better than average

2007: 36, better than average

2005: 86, about average

2003: 91, about average, small sample size

2002: 155, worse than average, small sample size

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

Hyundai Elantra reliability comparisons

Now Sonata not Elantra
 

Turns out that it's been more than a few weeks :eek: & a slightly different end result, but in a couple days I'm going to be a happy owner of a 2006 Hyundai Sonata. Why so long? Not the right thread, so I'll continue in Off Topic, but from what I've experienced, car dealerships deserve their blighted reputation.

Updated results again next month.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Elantra to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 28, better than average

2007: 41, better than average

2005: 80, about average

2003: 83, about average, small sample size

2002: 156, worse than average, small sample size

A big thanks, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information.

Hyundai Elantra reliability comparisons

372 Elantra owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years from 1995 on.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

We have updated results for the Elantra to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 53, about average, small sample size

2008: 21, better than average

2007: 50, about average

2005: 84, about average

2003: 67, better than average, small sample size

2002: 157, worse than average, small sample size

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

Hyundai Elantra reliability comparisons

Recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record for cars 2000 MY and newer.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May.

Car reliability research