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2002 Hyundai SonataProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 320 owner complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, most often about the structure. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

2002 Hyundai Sonata
39
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Sonata median · #13 of 35 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints32070 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage105kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden from The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Hyundai Sonata has problems

320 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
Structure8810
Suspension634
Air bags5123
Steering244
Electrical system234
Service brakes, hydraulic212
Fuel system, gasoline200
Engine and engine cooling163
Wheels111
17 other systems7119

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

7 recalls

2002 Hyundai Sonata 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

Suspension

Recall 09V-124 · Apr 16, 2009 · 188,282 vehicles

Risk. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

Recall 03V-097 · Mar 17, 2003 · 8,315 vehicles

Risk. INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE TCS WILL CAUSE AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE AT THE WHEEL WHERE THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags: side/window

Recall 02V-145 · May 24, 2002 · 43,162 vehicles

Risk. INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF A SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WHEN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH HAS NOT OCCURRED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

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 structure problems start?

105kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 77 structure complaints. 40% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles31under 100k miles46100k miles or more
Best & worst years

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

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Hyundai Sonata safety ratings

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

2002 Hyundai Sonata frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Hyundai Sonata side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSIONEA08016 · closed Apr 20, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-124
  2. TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURESPE05059 · closed May 11, 2006
    No recall
  3. FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSIONPE08029 · closed Aug 21, 2008
    No recall
  4. INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARDPE08071 · closed May 29, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-171
In owners' words

What Sonata owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE FELL THROUGH THE CRADLE ASSEMBLY AND CRUSHED THE AXLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOT OF SQUEAKING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS. THE…
Complaint 11115133 · Aug 1, 2018 · 155,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE AND THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
Complaint 11110235 · Jul 9, 2018 · 127,028 miles
PAINT IS FLAKING OFF OF ALL THE DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2001 SONATA GOLD COLOR. WHEN IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING ON ONE DOOR, MY DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM. NOW THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON ALL OF THEM, IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT IT IS A DEFECT. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND COULD THEY GET IT…
Complaint 11098032 · May 25, 2018 · 40,000 miles

Own a 2002 Sonata?

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