Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior
The paintwork is decent, but the body itself is weak and rust spots appear immediately. Before buying, take a look under the plastic overlays, as that's a weak spot of the car. It's also worth noting that body parts are rare and very expensive.
The interior is quite spacious and luxuriously finished, with highly equipped trims. The materials used for the finish are good, but durability and noise insulation are mediocre. Electrical issues can be troublesome, especially with broken wiring.
Engine
The 3.0-liter G6CT and 3.5-liter G6CU engines belong to the old Sigma series. The main complaints are related to oil leaks and excessive oil consumption due to worn rings. The 2.0-liter G6DP and 2.5-liter G6BV engines belong to the newer Delta lineup. They can be considered slightly more reliable, but owners still complain about similar issues. All these engines are equipped with intake valves, and their bolts often come loose.
Transmission
The 4-speed automatic transmissions F4A42 and F4A51 from Mitsubishi are well-known. However, aggressive driving significantly reduces the lifespan of the planetary gear. The 5-speed automatic transmission F5A51 is equally reliable and can easily last up to 300,000 km. But frequent and abrupt starts, especially without warming up, can easily damage it.
Suspension
The suspension is durable, and many parts are compatible with the Sonata TagAZ model. Only the stabilizer struts and occasionally the wheel bearings need to be replaced before reaching 100,000 km. There are no major issues with the braking system, only the ABS sensors sometimes fail. The steering rack is a weak point, as it may start leaking around 100,000 km.
