Thinking about buying a used SsangYong Korando (2011–2019) in New Zealand? We've documented 10 known faults for this model spanning transmission, cooling, engine, and electrical. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
10
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$600–$2,500
Typical repair
5
Systems covered
Known SsangYong Korando faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Automatic gearbox jerky shifts and sticking in one gear
CriticalCommonTransmission $600–$5,500 to fix
The automatic in the Korando starts causing trouble unusually early — owners report problems from 60,000 to 80,000 km, particularly on cars from 2012 onward. It shows as jerky gear changes and, in the worse cases, the gearbox getting stuck in one gear and refusing to change. That is early enough that a car with reasonable mileage can already be affected, so the kilometres on the clock are not much reassurance here. The test that finds it is an ordinary one — drive the car through its whole gear range, cold and warm, in traffic and on a straight — but it has to actually be done, because a gearbox that jerks once in five minutes of gentle driving will feel fine on a short test drive.
Symptoms to notice
Jerky or harsh gear changes, particularly when cold
Gearbox sticking in one gear and refusing to change
Long pause before Drive or Reverse engages
Slipping — revs rising without matching speed
Transmission warning light, or the car dropping into a reduced mode
What to check
Drive it from cold and then again warm, because this gearbox behaves differently at each. From a standing start, pull away gently and count the changes as they come, feeling whether each is a clean push or a jolt hard enough to rock you in the seat. Then accelerate firmly to make it change late, and lift off to make it change down, noting anything harsh. Drive through some stop-start traffic and note whether it selects sensibly or hunts and snatches. From a standstill, move the selector from Park to Reverse and then to Drive, waiting for the car to take up drive each time — beyond about a second is worth noting. Accelerate once and watch the revs rise with the speed rather than flaring on their own. Watch for a transmission warning light throughout. Ask whether the transmission fluid has ever been changed and whether the gearbox has ever stuck or been repaired. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the transmission fault memory read before you agree a price.
Where to look: Gearbox — automatic transmission, its valve body and fluid
Ask the seller
“Has the transmission fluid ever been changed, and at what mileage?”
“Has the gearbox ever stuck in one gear or jerked badly?”
“Has any transmission work ever been done?”
02Electrical gremlins: power windows, central locking and moisture in wiring
MinorCommonElectrical $150–$1,200 to fix
Electronics are the C200 Korando's Achilles heel. Power windows commonly fail from around 50,000-70,000 km, and owners report intermittent central-locking faults, spurious dashboard warning lights, and non-working rain/light sensors — often traced to moisture in the wiring harness or a weak key-fob battery. Individually cheap, but intermittent faults cost diagnostic time.
Symptoms to notice
Power window slow or dead
Central locking intermittent
Random dash warning lights
Rain/light sensors not working
What to check
Operate every window and the central locking several times. Check the auto wipers/lights if fitted. Look for damp or musty smells suggesting water in the cabin/harness. Try a fresh key-fob battery if the remote is flaky.
Where to look: Door window regulators/motors, door lock actuators, wiring harness, dash sensors
Ask the seller
“Do all four windows and the central locking work every time?”
“Any recurring warning lights?”
“Has there been water in the cabin?”
CoolingCritical
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
ElectricalMajor
SuspensionMajor
8 more documented faults on the SsangYong Korando
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 10 documented faults for the SsangYong Korando, the recurring problem areas are transmission, cooling, and engine. A SsangYong Korando with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used SsangYong Korando?
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We've catalogued 10 known faults for the SsangYong Korando, covering transmission, cooling, and engine. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a SsangYong Korando?
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Most single repairs on the SsangYong Korando fall between $600–$2,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 10 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a SsangYong Korando?
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Yes. A SsangYong Korando inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.