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2002 Hyundai ElantraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 342 owner complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

2002 Hyundai Elantra
41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.4× the Elantra median · #7 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints34292 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage93kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 21, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Hyundai Elantra has problems

342 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
Suspension954
Air bags7036
Service brakes, hydraulic3211
Structure271
Fuel system, gasoline222
Vehicle speed control186
Exterior lighting180
Power train172
Seat belts166
19 other systems929

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

6 recalls

2002 Hyundai Elantra 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

Front: control arm

Recall 09V-125 · Apr 16, 2009 · 160,904 vehicles

Risk. THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 08V-533 · Oct 14, 2008 · 150,541 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-496 · Dec 3, 2003 · 1,993 vehicles

Risk. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V-257 · Jul 22, 2003 · 312,292 vehicles

Risk. FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

93kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 77 suspension complaints. 57% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
2under 30k miles44under 100k miles33100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Elantra 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 Elantra median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

2002 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Hyundai Elantra side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONEA08012 · closed Nov 14, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-532
  2. AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONPE08017 · closed Jul 10, 2008
    No recall
  3. FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTINGPE09011 · closed Apr 21, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-125
In owners' words

What Elantra owners report

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

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE MOMENT I TRIED TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC STOP SIGN THE LOWER ARM CONTROL FROM THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE AND THE WHEEL BROKE AND THE CAR SLID. THANKS GOD IT WAS AT NIGHT AND NO CARS WERE THERE. I REMEMBER THE NIGHT BEFORE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I…
Complaint 11325472 · May 21, 2020 · 248,000 miles
I HAVE NOTED A RECALL #09V125000 RELATED TO THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. MY RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM COLAPSED. IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. WITH THAT SIDE FIXED I TRAVELED ABOUT 3 MILES AND MY LEFT SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE. MY…
Complaint 11149852 · Nov 7, 2018 · 45,000 miles
MY VEHICLE HAS CONTROL ARM RUST AND PERFORATIONS IN THE SUBFRAME, COVERED UNDER AN EXISTING RECALL. HYUNDAI HAS ADMITTED THAT THE PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT STATES THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS DUE TO RUST DAMAGE ON THE FRAME ITSELF. REPLACING THE…
Complaint 10872416 · Jun 3, 2016 · 71,000 miles

Own a 2002 Elantra?

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