Overview and Common Failures
Body and interior
The paintwork here is delicate, but the body metal is galvanized and does not rust for a long time. Paint swelling often occurs on the car roof and windshield pillars. The interior materials are cheap, with leather on the steering wheel and seats wearing out the fastest. The electrical system is not durable, with various electric drives and heating often malfunctioning.
Engine
The G4KD and G4KE engines from the Theta II lineup are known to develop scoring in the cylinders. There are also regular reports of bearing shell rotations on these engines. However, if we disregard these relatively rare issues, Theta engines are reliable. The 2.0-liter G4ND engine, in addition to everything else, is equipped with a finicky CVVL system.
Transmission
The rare M6CF3 manual gearbox on this model is quite reliable and has a long service life. However, in the early years of production, the blocking ring of the third gear often broke. The A6MF1 6-speed automatic transmission is also not particularly problematic. But in the early years, it had issues with the hydraulic block and weak basket bolts.
Suspension
The suspension is quite reliable, with only the struts and stabilizer bushings often being replaced. For pre-facelift cars, the front and rear hub bearings did not last long. The steering rack, as well as its power steering, causes quite a lot of trouble. The front discs are the weak point of the braking system: their lifespan is very short.
