Elantra Rocker Panel Dent(s)

I waxed our new 2006 Elantra GLS yesterday for the first time since the
purchase in late December. And, I was chagrined to find "crease dents"
beneath the rocker panel on both sides of the car. Each of the "V-type"
dents are perpendicular to the rocker seam, and almost alinged with the
center rust-proofing plug, just slightly forward of B pillar. The one
on the driver's side is more prevalent (and deep) than the one on the
passenger's side. There is no evidence of paint damage on either rocker
panel.

Obviously, I was sincerely disappointed and concerned on how this could
have happened. One starts to "brainstorm" on the possibilities, such as
"did the dealer mess up placing the car on the lift, or . . .?" In my
case, the car has only been to the dealer once after delivery due to a
fraying power steering drive belt, which they changed from underneath
the car. Thus, my obsession with the possible hydraulic lift theory.

Well, guess what? I just returned from the dealer and inspected 1 used
2005 Elantra GLS and 6 new 2006 Elantra GLS's on the lot (only 1
hatchback 5 speed BTW) - and, ALL have the same dent in each rocker
panel! Big surprise . . . my guess is the jig that punches the holes
for the rustproofing must fit "a bit too tightly against the rocker"
during the manufacturing process.

Certanly, I'm releived that it seems to be normal, but also a bit
befuddled. This is only specific to the current generation Elantra, and
not any other of the Hyundai sedan products, as I checked them all this
evening - even including the previous generation Accent and Sonata.

So, I guess we Elantra owners have dents supplied as standard equipment
with our new car. That's one way of eliminating the anxiety of getting
your first parking lot ding! At least you almost have to stand on your
head to notice them.

 

Are you sure that isn't an intentional crease stamped in to stiffen that
part of the panel? I really doubt that this many cars would have the
exact same "defect".

Matt

 

Matt,

Good question . . . I posted essentially the same query on Edmonds.com
Elantra forum, and it appears that it's only present on the 2005 and
2006 Elantra. One poster who owns a 2004 Elantra GT doesn't have them.
And, another who owns a 2005 does! Since I bought our Elantra from a
dealer in a Chicago suburb (Downers Grove), and we live 150 miles south
of there, it doesn't appear to be specific to only one dealer's stock.
The dealer I checked yesterday is our "local" dealer and all of his
2005 and 2006 inventory had the "dents."

I'm going to ask the dealer this week about this. It will be
interesting to see what they say.

 

I personally believe from what you have described that this is a design
element, not an accidental dent. Then again, I have a Sonata and
haven't looked closely at an Elantra. However, true defects, other than
design defects, are never this uniformly occuring over such a wide range
of samples.


Matt

 

Matt,

They're not design elements as the dent severity varies from sample to
sample. And, from some answers to my query on Edmonds.com, it seems
that only the '05 and '06 Elantras have them. The '04 and earlier model
years do not.

OTOH, I don't think it's an accidental dent either. In each case, the
dent lines up with the center-most plastic plug on the underneath side
of the rocker panel. These plugs are similar to those that Zeibart
uses to cover holes drilled for rustproofing. I wonder if the '04 and
earlier Elantra's had these? And, I also wonder if this is done at
port, rather than at the factory.

Since the position of the dent, not the severity, is exactly in the
same location on the right and left side rocker, it leads me to believe
it's caused by some tool jig, possibly used for punching (or, drilling)
the holes.

I just find it hard to believe that Hyundai would deliver cars this
way, so I will be very interested to see what the local dealer says
this week.

Don

 

Is the paint damaged? I can't believe they would be punching holes in
the sheet metal after the car was painted. If the paint isn't damaged,
what is the problem? Are these dents easily visible?

Matt

 

Matt,

No -- absolutely no paint damage. No problem other than the
realization that the dents are present - certainly more mental
OCD-based than anything!

And, yes, the dents are easily visible when you look underneath the
rocker panel. Plus, if you view the rocker from the side from a 10
foot distance or so, you can see the edge of the dent as well.

It's no major problem of course, but I'm just wondering "why"? Maybe
Hyundaitech will have an answer?

 

No answer from me. I could provide some speculation, but you and Matt have
done a good job with that already.