Overview and Common Failures
Body and Interior:
The paintwork is thin and easily susceptible to chips, but the body is galvanized and does not rust. Corrosion is most commonly found around the windshield and rear door. The interior is nice, but the materials are cheap and not very durable. Many complaints on forums are regarding weak air conditioning and poor sound insulation. There are no major electrical issues, although wiring is often to blame for any problems that do occur.
Engine:
The 1.4-liter G4FA and 1.6-liter G4FC engines are quite reliable, but they have some issues. The catalyst damage leads to camshaft wear. The timing chain also tends to stretch at around 150,000 km. The 1.4 D4FC and 1.6 D4FB diesel engines are good, but they require high-quality fuel.
Transmission:
The 5-speed manual M5CF1 transmission usually doesn't cause problems until around 100,000 km. After that, there may be noise from bearings and stretching of control cables. The 4-speed automatic A4CF1 is more durable and can comfortably last up to 200,000 km. However, if the lubricant is not replaced every 60,000 km, the hydraulic block may fail quickly. Planetary gears also tend to wear out rapidly for particularly active drivers.
Suspension:
The suspension in this model is stiff, similar to European cars, and it responds loudly to uneven surfaces. Struts, stabilizer bushings, and bearing supports should be replaced before reaching 100,000 km. Ball joints, hub bearings, and shocks may need replacement after 100,000 km. The steering rack is quite reliable and only starts to make noise after 150-200,000 km. Occasionally, there may be a failure of the steering angle sensor, resulting in the power steering being disabled.
Braking System:
There are no major issues with the braking system, except that the hoses often deteriorate.
