MYRModel Year Report

2002 Hyundai Sonata

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 Sonata Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3375 complaints 2012: 1556 complaints 2012 2013: 1904 complaints 2014: 743 complaints 2015: 1141 complaints 2016: 721 complaints 2017: 761 complaints 2017 2018: 369 complaints 2019: 159 complaints 2020: 174 complaints 2021: 129 complaints 2022: 91 complaints 2022 2023: 85 complaints 2024: 45 complaints 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 2 complaints 2026
2002: 319 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113375
20121556
20131904
2014743
20151141
2016721
2017761
2018369
2019159
2020174
2021129
202291
202385
202445
202516
20262

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

STRUCTURE 28%

28% of complaints: structure — 88 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and body.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SUSPENSION 21%

21% of complaints: suspension — 66 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20120315

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, 20250820

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, 20240821

AIR BAGS 17%

17% of complaints: air bags — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
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 LATER

NHTSA ODI report, 20200318

IMPACT TO DRIVERS DOOR AND THE SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030302

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20021120

SERVICE BRAKES 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hose, piping, and connections and tie rod assembly.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 319
R 20020708 — air bags

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 T

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 D

Campaign 02V145000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030630 — tires

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

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 TO

Campaign 03V097000 — 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 20051107 — PE (closed 20060511)

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES

I 20080422 — PE (closed 20080821)

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION

I 20080821 — EA (closed 20090420)

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION

I 20081215 — PE (closed 20090529)

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARD

R 20090713 — latches/locks/linkages

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 PLAT

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.

Campaign 09V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090717 — suspension

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, M

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 INCORPO

Campaign 09V124000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090916 — latches/locks/linkages

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

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.

Campaign 09V317000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (88 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (66 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (53 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V145000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V097000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V178000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V369000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V171000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V124000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V317000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1998 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.