Award-winning hot hatch that punches above its weight. Surprisingly reliable for a performance car - the 1.6 Smartstream T-GDi engine is solid, though early cars (pre-Feb 2023) had fuel pump failures and pre-Nov 2022 units suffer from rev hang. Watch for seat bolster wear (appears within weeks), paint quality issues, and rapid front tire consumption. The turbo has failed prematurely on some early examples. Backed by Hyundai's excellent 5-year unlimited mileage warranty. Regular oil checks essential - this engine consumes oil during spirited driving.
Appears within weeks on many cars, material quality issue · more· less
This is the most widespread issue with the i20 N. The synthetic leather (leatherette) on seat bolsters cracks, creases, and wears through extremely quickly - some owners report visible wear after just 750 miles or two weeks of ownership. The material simply isn't durable enough. Hyundai has issued a technical service bulletin about ironing the covers, but this doesn't solve the underlying material problem. Some dealers replace covers under warranty, but the new covers suffer the same fate. Until Hyundai changes the material completely, this will continue. Careful entry/exit and regular conditioning can slow the deterioration.
Front tire wear (Pirelli P Zero)€250 - €400
OE tires last 4,500-9,500 km on front axle, soft compound · more· less
The factory-fitted 215/40 R18 Pirelli P Zero tires with 'HN' stamp are very soft for maximum grip, but wear extremely fast. Many owners report fronts worn to legal limit after just 4,500-6,000 km of spirited driving. Even conservative drivers see 3-4mm wear after 3,000 km. This is expected behavior for performance tires on a 204 hp FWD car with limited-slip differential. Budget €250-400 per set of fronts (dealer pricing €330 per tire). Some owners switch to Bridgestone Potenza Sport (225/40/18) with better wear characteristics.
Paint peeling/stone chips€500 - €2,000
Thin, soft paint especially on Performance Blue, chips easily · more· less
Hyundai's paint is notoriously thin and soft across the N range. The i20 N is particularly susceptible to stone chips on the front bumper, and some owners report paint peeling within months that appears to be clear coat failure rather than impact damage. Performance Blue seems most affected, though all colors have issues. Dealers often deny warranty claims, citing stone chips as wear and tear. Paint protection film is highly recommended. In the US, Hyundai extended white paint warranty to 10 years due to widespread failures, but European warranty remains restrictive.
Turbocharger failure (early cars)€1,200 - €2,500
Journal bearings run dry, shaft seizes - known issue on early production · more· less
Forum discussions reveal several cases of turbo wheel seizure on early i20 N models, typically around 55,000 km but sometimes much earlier. Suspected cause is journal bearings running dry. Symptoms include sudden loss of boost pressure (turbo gauge reads 0). One documented case found oil in the water tank, requiring new turbo, gaskets, and cooling system inspection. Most dealers have covered this under warranty, but it's important to verify the cooling and lubrication systems are thoroughly checked when turbo is replaced to prevent recurrence.
Fuel pump failure (pre-Feb 2023)€400 - €800
Impeller swelling on cars built before February 2023 · more· less
Australia saw more than three fuel pump failures per week in 2023, affecting cars built before February 4, 2023, typically with 10,000-40,000 km. Root cause was swelling of the pump impeller. Hyundai confirmed the issue is resolved at factory level for post-February 2023 production, and all replacement parts are the improved type. No repeat failures reported on cars with updated pumps. If buying a pre-Feb 2023 car, verify fuel pump has been replaced. Some markets had recalls; UK owners should check with dealer.
Rev hang (pre-Nov 2022)€0 (software update)
Excessive rev hang when clutch pressed, fixed by ECM update · more· less
Cars registered before November 2022 often have excessive rev hang where engine revs stay high instead of dropping quickly when clutch is pressed. This is emissions-related programming, but on the i20 N it's far worse than normal. Solution is technical service bulletin HFE22-14-E220-BC3 - a free ECM logic update at any Hyundai dealer. Owners report this makes the car "night and day different" with rev hang completely eliminated. Some dealers are reluctant to acknowledge the issue, but the update is in the system. Can also use N Custom mode with Sport+ throttle as temporary workaround.
Light cluster moisture/water ingress€200 - €600
LED lights "breathe" causing condensation, usually harmless · more· less
Condensation in headlights and especially rear LED clusters is common. Hyundai technical department says this is normal - lights have a membrane that allows cooling but causes fogging. Should clear within 30 minutes. However, if water pools at bottom of cluster for days, or after high-pressure washing, this indicates actual seal failure requiring replacement. Most dealers replace affected units under warranty. The cooler-running LEDs don't generate enough heat to prevent condensation like older halogen bulbs. Not a safety issue unless water actually enters and damages reflectors.
Battery drain (12V system)€100 - €250
Factory battery quality issues, parasitic drain from Bluelink/alarm · more· less
The OE battery is a standard lead-acid (not AGM) unit that many specialists consider two quality grades below what the car needs. Combined with parasitic drain from Bluelink and alarm systems, the battery struggles with short journeys. Stop-start may fail to work, and car can be flat after 4-5 days. Upgrading to quality aftermarket battery (like Exide) for €120 completely resolves this for most owners. Otherwise, use battery tender if car sits for more than a few days, and ensure weekly 30+ minute drives to keep charged.
Carbon buildup (direct injection)€200 - €350
Normal for GDI engines, walnut blasting needed 40,000-60,000 km · more· less
Like all direct injection engines, carbon builds up on intake valves over time since fuel doesn't wash over them. Symptoms include rough idle, hesitation, and minor power loss. First cleaning typically needed between 40,000-60,000 km. Walnut blasting costs €200-350 in Europe depending on shop (intake manifold must be removed). Driving the car hard periodically and using quality fuel helps minimize buildup. After first cleaning, won't need another for 60,000+ km. This is normal maintenance for GDI engines, not a fault.
Excellent reliability for a hot hatch, but watch quality issues
The i20 N is remarkably reliable mechanically - long-term tests show no major powertrain faults. The 1.6 Smartstream engine is robust with proper maintenance. Most issues are quality/material related (seats, paint, tires) rather than mechanical failures. Early production cars (pre-2023) had specific issues now resolved. Overall excellent for the class, but the quality niggles and fast consumables mean running costs are higher than you'd expect for a Hyundai.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Hyundai dealer records essential for warranty. Oil changes every 10,000 km required.
Tires
Check front tire depth - if nearly new with high mileage, tires were recently replaced (red flag for abuse). Date codes should match or be recent.
Cold start
Must start completely cold. Listen for unusual turbo noises or hesitation.
Body condition
Stone chips are inevitable, but check for accident damage or excessive paint defects.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds. Car must reach full operating temperature.
Specific for this vehicle
Inspect seat bolsters closely
Look for cracking, creasing, or wear on both front seats. This appears very quickly and is almost unavoidable, but excessive wear indicates either heavy use or warranty replacement history.
Check production date vs known issues
Pre-February 2023: ask if fuel pump replaced. Pre-November 2022: check if ECM update (HFE22-14-E220-BC3) applied for rev hang.
Test rev hang when test driving
Press clutch while accelerating - revs should drop quickly. If they hang for 2+ seconds, ECM update needed.
Examine paint quality thoroughly
Check front bumper, wheel arches, and hood for stone chips and any signs of clear coat peeling or bubbling. Performance Blue particularly affected.
Check front tire wear pattern
Uneven wear or excessive wear on outside edges indicates alignment issues or very aggressive driving.
Verify boost pressure during test drive
Watch turbo gauge - should build boost smoothly. Loss of boost or 0 reading indicates turbo issues.
Check for oil consumption history
Ask seller if they've needed to top up oil between services. Some consumption is normal, but needing more than 0.5L between services may indicate issues.
Test battery and stop-start system
Stop-start should work consistently. If not, battery may need replacement.
Inspect light clusters for moisture
Light condensation that clears is normal, but pooled water indicates seal failure.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Rev hang ECM update (HFE22-14-E220-BC3)Pre-Nov 2022 cars
The i20 N has no official safety recalls as of writing. Contact your local Hyundai dealer with the VIN to verify all technical service bulletins have been completed, especially the ECM update for early cars and fuel pump for pre-2023 production.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty5 years unlimited mileage
Paint warranty5 years (included in main warranty)
Perforation warranty12 years
Roadside assistance5 years
Track day coverageYes (non-competitive events)
One of the best warranties in the hot hatch segment. Importantly, N models can be used on track days (non-competitive) without voiding warranty - a significant advantage. Warranty is transferable to subsequent owners. Service at Hyundai dealer every 10,000 km or annually required to maintain warranty validity. Consumables (brake pads, wiper blades, tires) covered for 2 years/20,000 km only.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.