Small Cars and Their Infamous Problems

Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 00:27
Last edited 24/09/2020 - 09:58 by 1 other user

I would like to compile a simple list (not your entire story) of common and/or infamous small car problems, specifically to their model type. Let's say ideally a rough range from 2010's till now (but can be old as 2000's). Happy for this list to include recalls on previous models.

I'll start with some general examples:

  • Corolla Sportivo - Gearbox issues.
  • Peugeot 206/306 - Coolant/water tank leaks & electrical gremlins.
  • VW Golf - DSG.
  • i30 - Aircon & condensation.

Edit: This list assumes you are servicing it regularly/properly, and not thrashing your car.

Automotive

Comments

  • sathion on 24/09/2020 - 00:39

    Might not be as extreme as OP's issues but my current car a Honda Jazz My 2019, had the battery die after 22 months, thankfully the battery was still under full warranty and was replaced for free.

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 00:46

      Interesting to see if this one is common for Jazz's as yours is very new. Any owner errors? Not closing the door properly / headlights on overnight? Did you not drive it for 3 months? Could you isolate it battery or could it be alternator related? Thanks for your post :)

      • sathion on 24/09/2020 - 10:47

        Interesting to see if this one is common for Jazz's as yours is very new. Any owner errors? Not closing the door properly / headlights on overnight? Did you not drive it for 3 months? Could you isolate it battery or could it be alternator related? Thanks for your post :)

        No owner errors, Honda dealership just said the battery straight up failed, car had just been serviced about 2 months before it happened and it was fine during that service.

        • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 11:54
          +5

          Mechanics, please chime in.

          I'm pretty sure a battery health check isn't part of a regular service. They wouldn't be able to tell you if the battery is fine. They will only tell you the battery is not dead on that day.

          • sathion on 24/09/2020 - 12:01

            @[Deactivated]: I can only go by what they told me at the time, my log book doesn't explicitly state that they checked the battery, however in the owners manual it does reference that both Honda and the owner to check the battery terminals and connections to ensure no corrosion etc, I guess they did it while checking that.

          • pegaxs on 24/09/2020 - 14:48
            +3

            @[Deactivated]: Mechanic here. Can confirm. Unless I noticed something about the battery, sluggish to start, power drop on start or something else, I probably wouldn't test a battery without some indication it required testing.

          • Spic3y on 25/09/2020 - 20:03

            @[Deactivated]: I will check the water level of the battery (if it's 'checkable') and give the terminals a twist during a service. Won't put a tester or multimeter on unless there is some other indication there may be a problem.

      • ECE on 24/09/2020 - 13:57

        Jazz 2008 owner. Battery is sometimes going flat.Could be because I hardwired a dashcam with park mode or I seldom use the car for a few weeks. Otherwise haven’t had any issues with the car.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/09/2020 - 16:30
          +1

          Get a power magic pro or some other voltage/timer cutoff.

          They're cheap and much cheaper than having to replace even one battery prematurely.

    • brad1-8tsi on 24/09/2020 - 15:16

      Does it have stop/start? That would be my guess as to the battery killer.

      The people on the Skoda forum with S/S get battery failures after 3 years whereas the older models regularly get 5+ years

      • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:10

        This would be nice to merry up if anyone can confirm :)

        • brad1-8tsi on 25/09/2020 - 09:10

          No stop/start = 10 starts a day?

          Stop/start = 200 starts a day?

          Yes, the stop/start batteries are a different technology but you can't squeeze blood from a stone. Alternatively, it could just be that VW have stopped buying decent batteries… The older ones had Varta /Bosch Silver

  • spackbace on 24/09/2020 - 02:29
    +25

    Corolla Sportivo - Gearbox issues

    Holy vagueness batman! Do we get a year of production, auto or manual, what issues and what kms?

    Without specifics, this thread is just an utter waste of time, and with specifics it basically is. Every car on the road would have a forum post if you googled it's name+issues.

    • This Guy on 24/09/2020 - 09:13
      +6

      Wasn't the Corolla Sportivo only around three years? Only available in manual with the Yamaha headed 2ZZ-GE. Discontinued in 2006? You're the Toyota expert though, so I am probably missing something :p

      • spackbace on 24/09/2020 - 10:18

        Ok, for once you're right :P

        Sorry, early 2000s Toyotas aren't my forte ;)

        • This Guy on 24/09/2020 - 10:19
          +1

          Come on, I have been out for two years. I can't know everything. I'm not a sales person, after all :p

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:12

      sorry spackbace for the vagueness - I'm very inexperienced so I wouldn't know specifics. Was hoping to get a list compiled so I can do the name + issues research further… thought it'd be a good idea to have a very basic list going first

    • IVI on 26/09/2020 - 13:51
      -1

      Looking for a 2011 Yaris 1.5L lead me to 1,
      whose owner just (tried to) replace GearBox
      (with less than 100% success)

      PS B4 finding (& dismissing) that Yaris,
      I'd been advised - by our Auto Club -
      that Hyundais' Timing Belts need [costly]
      ~every 100K km's

      vs Yaris's use of Timing Chain, that doesn't
      (& might last ~Life of the car)

      Can a Chain cost so much more to design &
      make, than a Belt? Or is Hyundai trying to
      please its repairers, by their making cars
      more Co$tly to maintain.

      How do Hybrids & 100% Electrics compare
      in Whole of Life maintenance costs…?

      PS That remind me: Has any1 seen / tried
      the recently released 100% Electric speed-
      boat? (It hydroplanes, riding a few inches
      above the water, to cut friction, incr max.-
      speed & extend battery Life. Not yet cheap
      RRP ~300K Euros, last time we checked.

      Another great Swedish creation!)

  • Ozbargainite on 24/09/2020 - 03:02
    +21

    This is a well known issue with all small cars. During the miniaturisation process small car components are damaged. Luckily large cars, SUVs and utes are not subject to miniaturisation and have no faults whatsoever.

    • Stimps on 24/09/2020 - 06:41
      +3

      Second this, we have a Holden Captiva with 450,000km of mostly off-road driving and have never had a problem.

      • Archi on 24/09/2020 - 10:03
        +2

        you must be the lucky one

        • pegaxs on 24/09/2020 - 10:48
          +12

          you must be the lucky only one

          FTFY… :D

      • StalkingIbis on 24/09/2020 - 10:11
        +3

        I thought for sure he was being sarcastic but now you've made me doubt myself…

      • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 11:57
        +3

        Have you washed your car after those off-road trips?

        I suspect that under all that baked on mud is not a Captiva.

        • Stimps on 24/09/2020 - 12:51

          I really don’t know why I’m getting so much stick over this. We got our Captiva from a dealer 5 years ago with only 150,000km on the clock which is really only just broken in for a diesel.

          Living rurally we have really piled on the km since without an issue. It could be that I only use Castrol Magnatec when servicing which prevents damage at start up.

          • cathole on 25/09/2020 - 15:15

            @Stimps: "I only use Castrol Magnatec when servicing which prevents damage at start up."

            Lul

      • Hithere on 24/09/2020 - 12:50

        @ Stimps So you are the person who purchased it? I'd heard a rumour someone did.

  • holdenmg on 24/09/2020 - 04:22
    +26

    Holden Cruze - Everything, entire Car.

    • FocusRider on 24/09/2020 - 12:01
      +1

      Add the Astra to this list as well terrible car

      • nubzy on 24/09/2020 - 12:34

        The old one yes, the current one appears to be a good car

        • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:14

          How current would you be referring to? 2016-17 onwards?

          • evocable on 25/09/2020 - 19:19

            @Brodo Faggins: My 2018 astra hatch (hatch and sedan are very different) has been excellent. No issues at all thus far.

            • Brodo Faggins on 26/09/2020 - 01:33

              @evocable: I was thinking the same since the new release of the Astra range, cheers!

      • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:14

        What seemed to be wrong with Astra older models?

        • brendanm on 26/09/2020 - 13:28

          Everything

        • Willco88 on 30/09/2020 - 15:03

          Oh yeah don't touch an astra from like 2003 to 2008 know a few people who had to replace engine after like 2 years

    • Analytical Therapist on 25/09/2020 - 15:18

      Look at my comment below haha, i loved the way the car looked but by god was it a piece of s**t.

    • cashless on 25/09/2020 - 16:03

      Tyres are OK aren't they?

  • brendanm on 24/09/2020 - 06:51
    +5

    Haha, your list doesn't specify model, engine or anything.

    Corolla Sportivo - year, issue, why?
    Peugeot - petrol, diesel, leaks from where, why not an issue on citroens or renaults with the same engines?
    Golf - DSG is different petrol to diesel, and low power petrol to high power. The problem one is on low power petrol cars.
    I30 - what?

    Overall, your list is quite useless, and as others pointed out, why does it even have anything to do with small cars? Why not just google "(model name) problems"?

    • pegaxs on 24/09/2020 - 08:08
      +4

      It’s a stupid topic and I have a feeling it’s going to be like the first reply where people come in and just mention a random thing that went wrong with their car.

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:17

      As you can tell I'm very novice with this topic, hence the general list so I can do further research on "(model name) problems"?
      Simply doing this for my own personal reasons as I'll be entering the buy/sell market for the first time.

      • brendanm on 24/09/2020 - 22:22

        Look up each car. Don't buy a Peugeot/Renault/Citroen, don't buy a Holden Cruze/Trax/Barina, don't buy a dry clutch DSG Audi/VW, don't buy a Mazda diesel.

        • nubzy on 24/09/2020 - 22:27

          Absolutely buy a Peugeot, Renault, Citroen. Recent models at least, within the past 10 years. Older ones do your research.

          • brendanm on 24/09/2020 - 22:29

            @nubzy: 🤣😂🤣😂 oh you! They will reliably be in the mechanics or electricians.

            • nubzy on 24/09/2020 - 22:30

              @brendanm: Really? Not in my experience with both Peugeot and Renault. Great cars.

              • brendanm on 24/09/2020 - 22:33
                +1

                @nubzy: Well, in my experience as a mechanic, over many renaults, citroens and Peugeot's, they are absolute rubbish. You do you though 👍

        • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:57

          Amazing brendanm, thanks for this! Anything else that comes off the top of your head?

          I agree with you re. French cars - the amount of things I've heard, some of them are absolute rubbish! Insane to think that some spend more to fix the thing than it's resale value (probably still hasn't been fixed)!

          • brendanm on 25/09/2020 - 20:25

            @Brodo Faggins: Throw out some cars you are looking at and I can give you some info on them if I've dealt with them 👍

          • Rimas on 26/09/2020 - 12:17
            +1

            @Brodo Faggins: And that's exactly what the problem is! People rely oh "hearing" things rather than having first hand experience or at least knowing someone who's actually had those rumored problems. I have never had a single issue with my Renault Clio since 2014 and it's my daily driver, hitting 100K soon. Its 5 Year Unlimited warranty expired last year, has always drunk 95 octane and serviced at the dealer for 340 bucks every 15K, capped price. That's what Euro cars are: treat them well and they will like you back.

            • nubzy on 26/09/2020 - 13:30
              +1

              @Rimas: Exactly. French cars are mechanically bulletproof provided they are looked after properly. They are excellent used buys if you pick the right model. Only people who rubbish them are bogans and ignorant generalist mechanics.

        • Dogsrule on 25/09/2020 - 20:24

          This is basically perfect advice. Only thing I would add is, Toyota diesel’s aren’t crash hot either.

  • Hithere on 24/09/2020 - 08:14
    +20

    I had a flat tyre in a Kia I owned.

    Grrr small cars!!

    • EightImmortals on 24/09/2020 - 09:18
      +5

      Stop whining, I'll bet it was only flat on the bottom?

      • Hithere on 24/09/2020 - 09:23
        +1

        @ EightImmortals WOW. How did you know that?

        • EightImmortals on 24/09/2020 - 09:24
          +1

          Well son, when you've been around as long as I have you tend to notice things that most people aren't aware off. And then there was the time when I zzzzzzzzzzz

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:18

      Thanks for your input I'll add that to the list!

  • bloom on 24/09/2020 - 08:16
    +20

    Hot tip:
    My i30 ran out of petrol
    Mechanic said it’s a known issue with all cars
    Add combustion engines to the list

    • JIMB0 on 24/09/2020 - 08:20
      +7

      Should have got a large car as they come with bigger petrol tanks.

    • Oz8argain on 24/09/2020 - 12:42
      +4

      what kms? come on man, be specific, this is not helpful at all >:|

  • kevsta on 24/09/2020 - 08:25
    +2

    Corolla Sportivo - Gearbox issues.

    The only reason they have gearbox issues is the driver trying to slam the gears from 1st to 2nd to keep the engine above 6200rpm.

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:21

      Just curious as I've heard more Sportivo's with this problem over standard Corolla's. Unless we can assume everyone who owned a Sportivo was ripping the gears lol

      • JimB on 25/09/2020 - 14:50

        Yup, they only noise (and some power) between 6,000 and 8,000rpm.

        If it drops below 6,000 they they get bogged down.

      • fillit on 25/09/2020 - 17:52

        They use a different gearbox and yes every sportivo is going to be thrashed.

      • john71 on 26/09/2020 - 06:20

        I find that Sportivo's (and Corolla's in general) tend to suffer from way more errant apostrophe's than most other brand's.

  • k-rokfm on 24/09/2020 - 08:59
    +7

    Dont forget ford focus and their powershift issues

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 09:03
      +3

      Lol. Now that's a powerhouse of shitboxes.

    • tomsco on 24/09/2020 - 10:58

      Fiesta too!

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:23

      Would you know if they're isolated to models 2015 or older?

  • wombat81 on 24/09/2020 - 09:06
    +5

    I see nothing useful coming from this thread.

    • EightImmortals on 24/09/2020 - 09:19
      +2

      Oh I dunno, I got a couple of chuckles already….

      • wombat81 on 24/09/2020 - 16:42

        Fair point

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:23

      I'm getting lots of value sooo

  • Cheeper on 24/09/2020 - 09:19
    +4

    Why just "small cars"? All cars have something that is not exactly perfect especially euros.
    This post is pointless.

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:25
      -3

      Because I'm only researching small cars for my personal sake? You're more than welcome to start another thread with "just SUVs" if you feel left out… Your post is pointless…

  • This Guy on 24/09/2020 - 09:24
    -1

    Let's say ideally a rough range from 2010's til now..

    And half your list is early 2000's…

    I have no idea how much time spackbace spends around his brand's workshop (so if he can confirm), but it is not uncommon for a vehicle to have many major recalls. Most get fixed at the docks or by the dealer, pre sale. Part of the reason sales people should always say two weeks is that it is not uncommon for a stop sale to be issued and rectified by a manufacturer with in a week.

    It's not unusal for the same part to be recalled multiple times. Takata airbags is the most visible, but I know of bash plates and door mechanisms that were recalled multiple times as designs were further modified to stop people setting fire to their vehicle or trying to decapitate themselves.

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:27

      This is very interesting to me. Could you list some examples for my research, where the same part was recalled multiple times after being "fixed" by the manufacturer? Thank you!

      • This Guy on 25/09/2020 - 07:56
        -1

        Nope. I gave you three. Airbag, bash plate and doors are common recalls items across most brands.Google.

        The manufacturers aren't trying to 'fix the issue', they are trying to reduce the chance of death, serious injury and damage tot the vehicle, as quickly as possible.

        Once they have verified the issue, they make an initial modification and start testing/manufacturing at the same time (because manufacturing and distribution takes significant time).

        If testing reveals deficiencies, they will often still install the better, but not best part, while waiting for the better part, as it will reduce the likelihood of an incident.

        Depending on the company and the issue they might do further work for an even better solution.

  • zathras on 24/09/2020 - 10:26
    +1

    Any Ford with a Powershit transmission.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 24/09/2020 - 10:35
    +5

    Not a small car but this Jeep 'lemon' is always worthy of a re-watch

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sVmoOZRypk

    • justgooddeals on 24/09/2020 - 13:32

      Not a small car but this Jeep 'lemon' is always worthy of a re-watch

      Haha I knew they were crap and heard some things through the grapevine about fiat chysler cars.

      But that video was good laugh..”I must bought a citrus variety” :-).

      2.6 million views up and counting. Wonder if Chrysler fiat Australia wished they offered him refund now?

      • nubzy on 24/09/2020 - 13:43

        Fiat/Abarth 500 is a great car, cheap, reliable and easy to maintain. Jeep seems to have a few lemons but the cars still have their appeal, but they have always had ar reputation for horrendous aftersales service.

      • TheMindsetTraveller on 24/09/2020 - 14:45

        My understanding is he made it onto television, and after much negative publicity, he got his money back.

        Here is some media stuff

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IUMNw4LB2k

        • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:41

          Hahaha hilarious video - seems pretty intelligent in his sunrise interview too! Thanks for sending this one in for a laugh!

  • ego22 on 24/09/2020 - 11:10
    +2

    I dont see how the size of a car has any connection to how reliable it is or not.
    The most shi##y unreliable cars i can think of right now are. Big american trucks, jeeps and H2/H3 hummers.

    • [Deactivated] on 24/09/2020 - 11:52

      I have actually noticed small cars (jazz, Yaris, polo…) tend to feel worn quicker. (We're talking at about 100,000km+)

      My theory is that there is less mass to absorb the vibrations and things get loose. This of course has nothing to do with the brand.

      Also, smaller cars tend to be built to a budget. Again, this is the same across all brands.

    • justgooddeals on 24/09/2020 - 13:42

      I dont see how the size of a car has any connection to how reliable it is or not.

      Agree. Don’t really see connection between the size of car and how reliable it is. Crap cars are just crap cars. Cadillac are big expensive but nothing more than piece of citrus with wheels stuck on them.

    • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:42

      Not saying size = reliability.
      This is just my search criteria, that's all :)

  • justgooddeals on 24/09/2020 - 12:28

    Common complaint to lot of Hyundai’s video below shows it in exact detail. $700 to $1200 dollar fix. Depending on where u go. That was the range of quotes I got at least. Affects a lot of cars sonata 2000-2010. i30 1995 to ???.

    NRMA consider a fix that should be fixed under warranty. Hyundai argues it is serviceable item and not subject to warranty. A bit like tyres or battery. I coughed up and just paid rather than fight to have it fixed under warranty. Very very busy at the time.

    It’s essentially a small rubber part that connects steering wheel to steering column -probably costs Hyundai .50 cents or $1.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHvlZn0qJ8k

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrkARm38wfc

    • brendanm on 24/09/2020 - 22:26
      -1

      $700 to $1200?!?? It's a $15 rubber thing, last one I did, I did in my driveway and took under an hour. I'll do it for $500 lol.

      Also, it doesn't connect the wheel to the column, the wheel is directly connected to the column, it connects the power steering motor to the column.

      • justgooddeals on 26/09/2020 - 23:26

        I did in my driveway and took under an hour. I'll do it for $500 lol.

        Not what I would ever do. Spend $15000 to $25000 on car and save $200 on dodgy backyard repairer. Who does it in his driveway. With dodgy equipment or dodgy parts. Risk your life and others lives, risk a substantial investment, in your car with an important component like steering to save few hundred dollars.

        Yup Never ever … no thanks.

  • PVA on 24/09/2020 - 16:54

    Do you mean Corolla Sport, I have only ever heard of a Camry Sportivo.
    Even CarSales doesn’t list as any Corolla with a Sportivo badge.

      • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:51

        Thanks spackbace! You seem to know a lot - I'm not aware of your background/experience, if you care to share (perhaps you have done this 1000 times lol)

      • PVA on 25/09/2020 - 12:38
        +1

        Well, there you go. First time I have been wrong in my whole life 😀😀

  • SF3 on 24/09/2020 - 21:31

    FSM Niki 650/Fiat 126p - I don’t own one, but infamous

    Just scraping in 2000
    22 September 2000 – production ended after a production run of 3,318,674 units. All Fiats of the last limited Happy End series were yellow or red (500 cars in red and 500 cars in yellow).

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_126

  • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 22:52

    Excellent thank you for this!

    • SF3 on 24/09/2020 - 22:58

      Are you doing some assignment?

      • Brodo Faggins on 24/09/2020 - 23:00

        An assignment where you have to get 100%, because your family's safety & finances depend on it - yes.
        Thanks for helping my research out :)

  • TheOtherLeft on 25/09/2020 - 14:50
    +2

    My small car ran out of washer fluid………. actually so did my large car.

    I have nothing else useful to add.

  • Analytical Therapist on 25/09/2020 - 15:16

    2011 Holden Cruze CDX:
    Where to begin,
    Front right brake caliper seized at 50k
    Coil packs failed at 55k
    Noticed outside black plastic trim began fading around ~2015 only got worse with time
    Oil to water cooler failed and leaked oil into coolant 70k
    Manual gearbox selector fork bearing/bushing failed causing gearbox to be stuck in 3rd gear 90k
    Thermostat housing cracked 95k
    I sold it at this point because i was sick of its bulls**t. Bought a 2018 I30 SR and haven't looked back.

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