2002 Hyundai Sonata
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.
- Complaints
- 319
- Recalls
- 7
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 319 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 11 |
| 1990 | 16 |
| 1991 | 29 |
| 1992 | 22 |
| 1993 | 26 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 68 |
| 1996 | 23 |
| 1997 | 49 |
| 1998 | 49 |
| 1999 | 124 |
| 2000 | 276 |
| 2001 | 205 |
| 2002 | 319 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 202 |
| 2005 | 165 |
| 2006 | 1,047 |
| 2007 | 696 |
| 2008 | 425 |
| 2009 | 460 |
| 2010 | 345 |
| 2011 | 3,377 |
| 2012 | 1,557 |
| 2013 | 1,912 |
| 2014 | 746 |
| 2015 | 1,148 |
| 2016 | 726 |
| 2017 | 764 |
| 2018 | 374 |
| 2019 | 162 |
| 2020 | 178 |
| 2021 | 133 |
| 2022 | 93 |
| 2023 | 87 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
28% · 88 reportsMost commonly citing frame and members and body.
Suspension
21% · 66 reportsMost commonly citing front and rear.
Show complaint excerpts
My wife was driving home from work on a county road doing approx. 45 MPH. The front right tire suddenly tilted 50 degrees inward and she lost control of the auto.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-15
Also filed under Steering
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at a slow speed, the sub frame snapped and fractured the axle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-20
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and slowing for a right turn, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-21
Air bags
17% · 53 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
My roommate got into a t bone type accident she was going at least 25MPH and the air bag did not deploy but it hit hard enough to rip the core support off, we have pictures. She did not take the ambulance but she's will probably go to the er…
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-03-18
Impact to drivers door and the side airbag failed to deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-02
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.…
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-20
Service brakes
8% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Steering
8% · 24 reportsMost commonly citing hose, piping, and connections and tie rod assembly.
Safety timeline
7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
▮
2002Complaint volume 319 complaints filed for this model year.
-
R
2002-07-08Air bags02V145000 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…
Remedy: 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…
-
R
2003-06-30Tires03V097000 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…
Remedy: 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…
-
R
2004-06-30Fuel system, gasoline04V178000 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…
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.
-
R
2004-10-05Fuel system, gasoline04V369000 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.…
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.
-
I
2005-11-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-05-11 Tire valve stem failures
-
I
2008-04-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-08-21 Front sub-frame corrosion
-
I
2008-08-21Engineering analysisClosed 2009-04-20 Front sub-frame corrosion
-
I
2008-12-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-05-29 Interior door handle laceration hazard
-
R
2009-07-13Latches/locks/linkages09V171000 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…
Remedy: 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.
-
R
2009-07-17Suspension09V124000 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…
Remedy: 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…
-
R
2009-09-16Latches/locks/linkages09V317000 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…
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 88 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 66 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 53 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V145000 · Air bags
- Recall 03V097000 · Tires
- Recall 04V178000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 04V369000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 09V171000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 09V124000 · Suspension
- Recall 09V317000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Hyundai Sonata is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Sonata?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Sonata have?
- 7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.