Menu

2002 Hyundai AccentProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 134 owner complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Accent, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2002 Hyundai Accent
35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Accent median · #2 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13446 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage54kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 11, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Hyundai Accent has problems

134 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train241
Fuel system, gasoline170
Air bags1514
Service brakes, hydraulic133
Vehicle speed control121
Engine and engine cooling121
Suspension71
Fuel/propulsion system70
Tires61
15 other systems3510

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2002 Hyundai Accent recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure: frame and members

Recall 02V-167 · Jun 25, 2002 · 67,565 vehicles

Risk. AN OCCUPANT'S HEAD THAT CONTACTS THE A-PILLAR DURING A CRASH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED RISK OF A HEAD INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Accent year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Accent median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Hyundai Accent safety ratings

2002 Hyundai Accent 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Hyundai Accent frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Hyundai Accent side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Accent owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT. I WENT TO PUT IT IN PARK, BUT THE CAR WOULD ONLY GO IN REVERSE. I WAS GOING FORWARD IN DRIVE AT THE TIME. IT STARTED GOING IN REVERSE. NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I TRIED, IT WOULD ONLY GO IN REVERSE. I COULDN'T TURN OFF THE CAR. I KEPT TRYING TO PUT IT IN PARK AND EVENTUALLY…
Complaint 10649832 · Oct 24, 2014 · 58,000 miles
FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SPEED SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS, SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS TAKING TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE PARTS WERE OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT MY MECHANIC STATED THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE EVERY TIME I HAD CHIPS REPLACED MY TRANS FLUID WAS DIRTY AND HAD TO FLUSH…
Complaint 10425722 · Sep 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHENEVER MAKING TURNS THE VEHICLE WILL SLIGHTLY LOOSE POWER. ALSO WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IT WOULD STILL MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…
Complaint 10290352 · Oct 30, 2009 · 94,000 miles

Own a 2002 Accent?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.