Hyundai Elantras are great cars that prove highly reliable for their owners. The Elantra is an entry-level model to the Hyundai line of vehicles, and it is priced accordingly.
The vehicle has a 4-cylinder engine that allows for good fuel economy and has been known to last well over 200,000 miles with little breakdown or issues when appropriately maintained.
A Hyundai Elantra is an excellent car for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on a new vehicle but still wants something reliable. The only downside will be the cost to maintain it periodically throughout its life.
You can expect to pay an average of $430 per year on maintenance. It can range from $200-$500, depending on how well the car is taken care of, how old the car is, and if anything breaks down along the way.
The cost of maintaining an Elantra is less than other vehicles in the compact class. If you have had an Elantra for ten years, you can expect maintenance costs to average $5,900. This average is lower than many other car makes because the Elantra has an excellent track record for being very reliable.
We will go through the various cost of maintaining an Elantra and what to look out for when owning one.
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Are Hyundai Elantras Reliable Cars?
Hyundai Elantras are known for being very reliable. Considering the average cost to maintain one over its lifetime, it is much cheaper than other cars in the compact class. Hyundai includes a 100,000 miles/10-year powertrain warranty with the Elantra.
This shows that Hyundai is willing to stand behind their product and not sell you a car every few years because it has issues (which will cost more money in the long run). There is also a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that will cover any factory defects.
Maintenance Schedule
Hyundai recommends getting an oil change every 7,500 miles or six months if you decide to use fully synthetic oil. If you choose non-synthetic oil, you will have to get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
You will also want to get an inspection done at each interval, even if nothing is wrong with the car. This is a precautionary measure so that you do not have minor issues turn into more significant problems.
Hyundai Elantra Service Intervals
Hyundai has service intervals they recommend based on the mileage of your vehicle. These intervals are designed to help car owners stay proactive with their maintenance schedule and catch minor problems before they turn into big ones down the road.
The service intervals Hyundai recommends are
7,500 miles – Oil and Filter Change with a Synthetic Blend or Fully Synthetic oil. $60 to $120
15,000 miles – Tire Rotation, cabin air filter inspection, and brake fluid flush. $100 to $150
30,000 miles – Replace the engine air filter element and fuel/air mixture ratio adjuster (if equipped). Inspect the vehicle for any needed adjustments or repairs. Check all fluid levels and inspect for leaks. $150 to $250
45,000 miles – Replace the engine oil and filter with a synthetic blend or full synthetic oil. Service battery and cables. $60 to $120
60,000 miles – Replace the spark plugs and spark plug wires. Check and fill all fluid levels as needed. Inspect for leaks. $450 to $600
75,000 miles – Re-torque the drive belts (or replace them if necessary). Inspect the hoses & cooling system for any leaks or damage. Check/top off all fluid levels. $210 to $300
90,000 miles – Replace engine oil and filter, flush transmission and coolant system, and inspect the suspension. $375 to $450
How Much Does An Oil Change Cost For a Hyundai Elantra?
The cost of a standard oil change for a Hyundai Elantra typically averages $40-$60. If you decide to go fully synthetic, you can pay $80-$100.
If you take your car to a Hyundai dealership, this price will typically include everything needed to change the oil and filter. It will also have a multi-point inspection to ensure no other maintenance is required for the car.
If you decide to go with a third-party mechanic like Jiffy Lube, the average cost is about $40-$55. However, this will not include a multi-point inspection or tire rotation.
What Will A Tire Rotation Cost For a Hyundai Elantra?
The cost of a tire rotation for a Hyundai Elantra typically averages $30-$60. If you go to a Hyundai dealership, they will generally have a package that includes a tire rotation and multipoint inspection. The average you will pay per tire is $10.
Most Common Parts That Break on a Hyundai Elantra
There are some common repairs that many Hyundai Elantra owners experience over the ten years or 100,000-mile life of their vehicle.
Although these repairs aren’t guaranteed to happen, it is still important to know what to expect as you plan for the future.
The most common parts that break on a Hyundai Elantra are:
Heater Blower/Fan Motor
The heater blower fan motor is responsible for pushing air through the interior vents of your car. If this part dies, it will be hard or impossible to heat or cool your vehicle’s interior.
A new blower motor costs on average $120-$200, and labor will cost an additional $150-$250 on top of that.
Front Wheel Bearings
The front wheel bearings on a Hyundai Elantra are another common repair many owners experience throughout their time owning their car.
When these bearings need replacing, it will cause the steering wheel to shake when you are driving at low speeds. A new set of front wheel bearings costs $600 to $750 for labor and parts.
Wipers
Wipers are a common replacement item for vehicles of all makes and models, not just Hyundai Elantras. Replacing the wipers on your car or truck is usually less than $20 each.
Fuel Pump
When it comes to the fuel pump, two types of pumps are used in an Elantra, electric and mechanical. If your car is experiencing starting problems, it can be a faulty fuel pump.
If you notice other symptoms, such as low gas mileage or a rough engine idle, you will want to check your fuel pressure. A new fuel pump costs $650-$800 for parts and labor.
Windshield Wiper Motor
When the windshield wipers on your car stop working, it can make driving in bad weather extremely dangerous. If you find out that your wiper motor is dead, you will need to buy a new one and install it, which typically costs $230-$300 for labor and parts.
Brake Pads And Rotors
The cost of replacing brake pads and rotors on a Hyundai Elantra typically averages $350-$550 depending on the year, mileage, and availability for parts.
Starter
The starter in a Hyundai Elantra is a part that rarely needs to be replaced. When a starter does go bad, it will typically cost between $350-$500 to have the part replaced.
AC System
The AC system in a Hyundai Elantra costs a lot to repair and even more to replace if the entire compressor goes bad. When the AC breaks, it will cost $400 to have a mechanic inspect for leaks and recharge your air conditioning system.
Alternator
An alternator in a Hyundai Elantra typically costs about $500-$800 to replace.
Tires
Tires are generally one of the more expensive costs when you own a vehicle. An average set of tires for this car costs $200-$400, depending on the size and type you need.
Headlights
Headlight replacement costs on the Hyundai Elantra typically average $55 per headlight.
Taillight
The average price to replace a taillight on the Hyundai Elantra is $70.
Timing Belt
A timing belt in a Hyundai Elantra typically costs between $375-$510 to replace – labor and parts combined. If your timing belt breaks, it will cause severe damage to your engine by breaking pistons, valves, and other engine parts.
Radiator
A radiator in a Hyundai Elantra typically costs around $540-$760 to replace.
These are just some of the most common repairs that can happen while you own your Hyundai Elantra. Many other expenses can occur but are less likely to happen, such as an oxygen sensor or motor mounts.
Most Hyundai Elantra owners will not experience most of these repairs throughout their time owning the car.
It is always important to know what your warranty covers and what it doesn’t when you purchase a new vehicle before making your final decision. If you want to maintain the value of your car, it is always important to keep in touch with your local dealer.
How To Maintain A Hyundai Elantra?
The best thing you can do for your Hyundai Elantra is practice proactive and scheduled maintenance. This means changing your oil when required, keeping fluids topped off, and inspecting for any potential problems before they become substantial issues.
The cost to maintain a Hyundai Elantra over the course of owning the vehicle is much less than buying a brand new car every few years. Typically the cost of maintenance is around $430 per year.
The likely hood of something going wrong with your vehicle will increase with each year and mile you own the car. The cost of repairs will also increase as parts and labor prices go up.
Keeping your vehicle up to date and properly maintained is key to keeping the value of your Hyundai Elantra over time and minimizing the risk of future repairs.
