Hyundai i30 PD
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
250–280 PS
2.0L T-GDI (Theta II-N) Benzin
The one that started it all
Fun to Drive!96–110 PS
1.5L MPI (Smartstream) Benzin
5 weaknesses
Good Choice250–280 PS
2.0L T-GDI (Theta II-N) Benzin
8 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Hyundai i30 PD is available as Schrägheck and Kombi and Coupé — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Hyundai i30 PD is available with 6 engine variants — from 95 to 280 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Hyundai 1.6L CRDi (Diesel, 95–136 PS) comes with 2 different engines: D4FB (2016–2019, Be Careful) und D4FB (2016–2019, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.6L CRDi!
The Hyundai 1.0L T-GDI (Kappa II) (Benziner, 120 PS) has the G3LC (1.0L T-GDI (Kappa II)) — rated: "Stay Away!", 6 known weaknesses.
The Hyundai 1.4L (Kappa) (Benziner, 99–101 PS) has the G4LC (1.4L (Kappa)) — rated: "Good Choice", 5 known weaknesses.
The Hyundai 1.4L T-GDI (Kappa II) (Benziner, 140 PS) has the G4LD (1.4L T-GDI (Kappa II)) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Hyundai i30 N (Benziner, 250 PS) has the G4KH (2.0L T-GDI (Theta II-N)) — rated: "Stay Away!", 8 known weaknesses.
The Hyundai i30 N Performance (Benziner, 275–280 PS) has the G4KH (2.0L T-GDI (Theta II-N)) — rated: "Stay Away!", 8 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| DCT gearbox judders and skips gears The 7-speed DCT tends to jerk in city driving, skips gears and partly loses drive despite rising revs. Manual gearbox is the safer choice. Symptoms: Judder when pulling away, gears skipped, sluggish response from 70,000 km | High | |
| 7-speed DCT: jerky gear changes The 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox is fundamentally reliable but shows occasional jerky shifting and hesitation on gear changes in older models, especially in city traffic. Symptoms: Judder when pulling away, hesitation on gear change in city traffic from 80,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 71 weaknesses have been documented for the Hyundai i30 PD (2016–2026) — 58 engine-related and 13 vehicle-related. 2 problem engines: G3LC (1.0L T-GDI (Kappa II)), G4KH (2.0L T-GDI (Theta II-N)). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Other, Electronics, Brakes. Considered reliable: G4LC (1.4L (Kappa)), G4LG (1.5L MPI (Smartstream)).
i30 (D4FB, 2016–2019) — Be Careful: EGR cooler coolant leak, VGT turbocharger premature failure, Timing chain stretch. Power: 95 PS.
i30 (D4FB, 2016–2019) — Be Careful: EGR cooler coolant leak, VGT turbocharger premature failure, Timing chain stretch. Power: 136 PS.
i30 (D4FE, 2019–2020) — Be Careful: EGR valve contamination, DPF regeneration fails on short trips, VTG turbocharger actuator seized. Power: 110–116 PS.
i30 (D4FE, 2019–2020) — Be Careful: EGR valve contamination, DPF regeneration fails on short trips, VTG turbocharger actuator seized. Power: 136 PS.
i30 (G3LC, 2016–2020) — Stay Away!: Turbocharger sensitivity on small displacement, Timing chain tensioner Kappa T-GDi, Timing chain stretches prematurely. Power: 120 PS.
i30 (G4LD, 2016–2020) — Be Careful: LSPI Risk with Cheap Oil, GDi Valve Carbon Buildup, Turbo Oil Supply — Heat Damage on Shutdown. Power: 140 PS.
i30 (G4KH, 2017–2020) — Stay Away!: Connecting Rod Bearing Damage from Metal Swarf (Recall), Fuel Contamination of Engine Oil, Theta-II Recall: Connecting Rod Bearings and Fire Risk. Power: 250 PS.
i30 (G4KH, 2017–2020) — Stay Away!: Connecting Rod Bearing Damage from Metal Swarf (Recall), Fuel Contamination of Engine Oil, Theta-II Recall: Connecting Rod Bearings and Fire Risk. Power: 275–280 PS.
i30 (G3LE, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Turbo oil supply Smartstream, GDI valve carbon buildup Smartstream, Timing chain wear Smartstream T-GDi. Power: 100 PS.
i30 (G3LC, 2020–2024) — Stay Away!: Turbocharger sensitivity on small displacement, Timing chain tensioner Kappa T-GDi, Timing chain stretches prematurely. Power: 120 PS.
i30 (G4LH, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: LSPI Risk — Low-Speed Pre-Ignition, Turbocharger Sensitivity, GDI Intake Valve Carbon Buildup. Power: 159–160 PS.
i30 (G4LK, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Fuel Contamination of Engine Oil, LSPI Risk with Wrong Oil Specification, 48V Mild Hybrid System Failure. Power: 140 PS.
i30 (D4FE, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: EGR valve contamination, DPF regeneration fails on short trips, VTG turbocharger actuator seized. Power: 136 PS.
What to watch out for with the Hyundai i30? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee