MYRModel Year Report

2002 Hyundai Elantra

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Hyundai Elantra
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Elantra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 29 complaints 1993: 24 complaints 1994: 76 complaints 1995: 112 complaints 1995 1996: 100 complaints 1997: 115 complaints 1998: 55 complaints 1999: 128 complaints 2000: 197 complaints 2000 2001: 315 complaints 2002: 342 complaints 2002 2003: 234 complaints 2004: 182 complaints 2005: 137 complaints 2005 2006: 155 complaints 2007: 266 complaints 2008: 314 complaints 2009: 247 complaints 2010: 378 complaints 2010 2011: 431 complaints 2012: 649 complaints 2013: 1307 complaints 2014: 379 complaints 2015: 258 complaints 2015 2016: 286 complaints 2017: 759 complaints 2018: 274 complaints 2019: 242 complaints 2020: 240 complaints 2020 2021: 128 complaints 2022: 95 complaints 2023: 90 complaints 2024: 52 complaints 2025: 20 complaints 2025 2026: 0 complaints 2026
2002: 342 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
199229
199324
199476
1995112
1996100
1997115
199855
1999128
2000197
2001315
2002342
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007266
2008314
2009247
2010378
2011431
2012649
20131307
2014379
2015258
2016286
2017759
2018274
2019242
2020240
2021128
202295
202390
202452
202520
20260

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND LAND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130129

THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030327

WHILE AT A STOP, VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVERS SIDE FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25- 30 MILES PER HOUR. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED DEPLOYMENT. CONSUMER SUFFERED LOWER BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. DRIVERS WINDOW SHATTERED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020409

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 29 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE DEATH
SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181107

REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER ROTTED OUT

NHTSA ODI report, 20171228

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 55MPH CAR ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES AND OFF A CLIFF 40FEET, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020909

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 70MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20011120

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 342
R 20031013 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN A

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL T

Campaign 03V257000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040122 — service brakes, hydraulic

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT H

Campaign 03V496000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040630 — fuel system, gasoline

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

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 04V178000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20041005 — fuel system, gasoline

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

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 04V369000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080310 — PE (closed 20080710)

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

I 20080710 — EA (closed 20081114)

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

R 20081130 — air bags

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER TH

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE RECALL IS EX

Campaign 08V533000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090218 — PE (closed 20090421)

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTING

R 20090717 — suspension

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER

Campaign 09V125000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Hyundai Elantra — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (40 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V257000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V496000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V178000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V369000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V533000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V125000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1994

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2017 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Hyundai Elantra is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.