Hyundai

ix35 LM inspection checklist

2010-2015 · 11 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highABS module brake-fluid fire risk (recall - 2012-2013)

Look for: Around 8,800 ix35s built 2012-2013 were recalled because brake fluid can leak into the ABS control module, causing an electrical short and a potential engine-bay fire while parked or driving.

If you find it: Confirm the ABS-module fire recall has been completed against the VIN; do not buy an unrectified car. Hyundai rectifies free.

Any (2012-2013 build) · Recall (free)

highABS module moisture fire risk (recall - 2014-2015)

Look for: A separate later recall (REC-005583) covered 2014-2015 ix35s where the ABS module circuit board may short-circuit when exposed to moisture, risking a vehicle fire even when switched off and parked.

If you find it: Check the VIN against Hyundai/Product Safety recall lists and confirm the ABS recall has been completed.

Any (2014-2015 build) · Recall (free)

highSeatbelt pre-tensioner crimp defect (recall)

Look for: About 6,500 ix35s were recalled over a production defect in the seatbelt pre-tensioner cable crimp - the cable could come loose, potentially injuring occupants or failing to restrain them in a crash.

If you find it: Confirm the seatbelt-pretensioner recall is closed against the VIN; Hyundai rectifies free.

Any · Recall (free)

highSteering-wheel airbag / horn rattle (recall)

Look for: Around 32,500 ix35s (Jan 2011-Dec 2013) were recalled because the driver's airbag may not be properly secured, the horn may not work and a rattle may be heard from the steering wheel; the airbag may not deploy correctly.

If you find it: Confirm the airbag/horn recall has been completed; have Hyundai rectify any outstanding.

Any (2011-2013 build) · Recall (free)

mediumFront suspension clunk / bush and strut wear

Look for: Range-wide: clunks and creaks from the front (often the left) over bumps and at low speed, from worn lower control-arm bushes, strut-top mounts/bearings and sway-bar links - one of the most-reported ix35 niggles among Australian owners.

If you find it: Replace worn bushes, links and mounts; wheel alignment afterward. Inspect on a hoist before buying.

From 80k+ km · ~$300-1200

2 of 4 engines

highExcessive oil consumption / cylinder-bore scoring (GDI)

Look for: 2013-15 Nu GDI (and 2.4 Theta II GDI) petrols have reported excessive oil consumption (over 1 litre per 1000km) and a knocking/tapping noise, attributed to cylinder-bore scoring where piston skirts contact the bore, opening clearances and letting oil past the rings. Subject of a Johnson Winter Slattery class action against Hyundai in Australia. Less severe than the US Theta failures but a genuine risk.

If you find it: Run an oil-consumption test, check service history and warranty/engine-replacement claims; budget for a short-block/engine if consumption is heavy. Avoid examples that knock or burn oil heavily.

From 60k+ km · ~$300 (oil monitoring) to $6000-9000 (engine)

mediumDirect-injection intake-valve carbon

Look for: GDI engines get no port-injection wash of the intake valves, so carbon builds over time, causing rough idle, hesitation and misfire codes at higher km.

If you find it: Walnut-blast / intake clean if symptomatic; quality fuel and regular oil changes slow it.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-900

2.0L R-series CRDi turbo-diesel

highEGR / intake carbon and DPF clogging (P0401)

Look for: The R-series diesel logs P0401 'insufficient EGR flow' commonly caused by carbon deposits in the EGR/intake rather than a faulty valve, plus DPF blockages and forced/incomplete regens on short urban runs - causing rough running, lost power and limp mode.

If you find it: Regular highway runs so the DPF can regen; clean EGR and intake; replace DPF on neglected town cars. Insist on full diesel service history.

Any (worse on short trips) · ~$300-2500 (new DPF $2000+)

highTurbocharger VGT / actuator and oil-feed issues

Look for: The variable-geometry turbo can suffer sticking vanes/actuator faults or oil-feed coking, causing boost faults, whistling/lag, smoke and limp mode, especially where oil changes were stretched.

If you find it: Diagnose and recondition/replace the turbo; flush the oil-feed line; strict oil-change discipline prevents recurrence.

From 120k+ km · ~$1500-4000

mediumTiming-chain rattle / stretch at high km

Look for: High-mileage R-series diesels can develop a timing-chain rattle (cold-start chatter) from chain/tensioner wear if oil maintenance was poor.

If you find it: Replace chain, guides and tensioner; use correct-spec oil and keep to intervals.

From 150k+ km · ~$1200-3000

mediumInjector wear / leak-back

Look for: Piezo common-rail injectors can wear and develop excess leak-back at high km, causing hard starting, rough idle and smoke.

If you find it: Test injector leak-back; recondition or replace injectors as needed; use quality fuel and change filters on time.

From 150k+ km · ~$600-2500

2 minor things (low severity)

lowInfotainment / Bluetooth and electrical niggles

Look for: Owners report head-unit/Bluetooth dropouts, reversing-camera glitches and minor electrical gremlins, plus the occasional flat battery from accessory draw - mostly minor.

If you find it: Software updates and module/battery checks; replace a faulty head unit or sensor if hardware-faulty.

Any · ~$0-600

lowIgnition coil / spark plug misfire at high km

Look for: Like most Theta-family petrols, ageing coils and plugs can cause a rough idle, misfire and check-engine light at higher km.

If you find it: Replace the faulty coil(s) and a full set of plugs; routine maintenance item.

From 100k+ km · ~$200-700

From FlamingCars' Hyundai ix35 guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.