2002 Hyundai Sonata Problems, Recalls & Reliability
407 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 12/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 105,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2002 Hyundai Sonata has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2002 sits among all Sonata years
What owners report
“Corrosion of the front sub-frame. Ea08016 front sub-frame corrosion. You issued a recall for "salt-belt" states, i live in northern virginia with the same salt issue as dc and west virginia.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sonata
“I purchased this 2002 hyundai sonata and had it inspected in pennsylvania, the vehicle fails due to rotted/rusted out front subframe, this component was supposed to be replaced under recall nhtsa campaign id number : 09v124000, manufacturer campaign number: 089 however hyundai said it was inspected…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sonata
“While driving 30-35 mph vehicle was hit on driver side, between driver door and passenger door. Both front air bags deployed, side air bag on driver side did not. Driver hit his head on window. Damage to vehicle unknown at this time. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sonata
“Intermittenley while applying brakes from a stop position the vehicle continue on before stoppping. Dealer informed that air had to be removed from the brake line. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sonata
“Gas tank will not normally accept gas and clicks off every 5 cents worth that is pumped. After 3 gallons and 15 minutes later, the tank spits out the gas. This problem is so chronic the attendants at costco gas told me many sonatas have this issue. Recall or class action lawsuit?”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sonata
“On november 30, 2020 after shopping in food store, starting the cat and coming out of a parking lot and driving the car forward, i smell something burning. Stop & open the front hood and saw smoke coming out of the air filter housing and started to burn. Somebody helped and put out the fire with a…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2002 Sonata
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 292 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 95,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 56,000 and 145,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 82 MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATING. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-787-999-3333.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,350 MY 2002-2003 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATE. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING, THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,…
Fix: DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT…
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS), IF THE T125/70D-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON A FRONT WHEEL POSITION, THE TCS MAY INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATE BEGINNING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WITH A NEW LARGER DIAMETER T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE AND A NEW TIRE PRESSURE LABEL WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS MAY BE TOO SENSITIVE TO SOME LATERAL ACCELERATIONS THAT ARE NOT CAUSED BY SIDE IMPACTS TO THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS FORCEFULLY SLAMMING A DOOR CLOSED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 09V171000.
Led to recall campaign 09V124000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2002 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
The 2002 Hyundai Sonata drew 407 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 12/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems?
The top reported problems for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata are body & structure (88 complaints), suspension (66), and airbags (53).
At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems show up?
Owners most often report 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems around 95,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 56,000 and 145,000 miles.
Does the 2002 Hyundai Sonata have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 2002 Hyundai Sonata. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.