Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Hyundai Accent owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Purchased car 2002 in Arizona. About 2009 when the check engine light came on and when filling the car with gas the pump would stop after less than .25 gallons pumped. It takes greater than 20 minutes to fill the tank and many times the auto shut off fails and I end up being sprayed gasoline. This is a personal safety issue as well as an enviromental hazard. There are many similar complaints about this issue, but it is repeatedly ignored. What will get this addressed, some one being seriously injured after being doused with gasoline?
I got this car in 2015 and it keep failing the state of ohio vechicle inspection e-check test and the same code keeps coming up..... P1401..... Why... It fail on jan 16,2019 and in 2017 jan.19.17 I spent $398.52 and had gas tank filler neck and canister ventvalve replace.....and again same code 2019 "p1401..help thks. ([redacted]) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6)
Many people have been complaining about this vehicle. You can't put gas into it without the pump stopping approximately every .25 gallons. It's very annoying and it is difficult to pass inspection. I don't understand why Hyundai should not be required to fix this problem. It comes up as a 1401 for emissions testing
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Accent. While refueling the vehicle, fuel would leak from the filler neck onto the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
On May 24, 2006 my husband went to start the car and it wouldn't start. He kept trying to start it and then a smell of gasoline overwhelmed him. He immediately left the car and called a tow truck to take it to the dealer (earnhart Hyundai in gilbert arizona). My husband was told later in the day by sam at earnhart that the fuel filter clamp had been "busted" and that gas had inadvertently leaked all over the inside of the car. He (sam) proceeded to tell my husband that "someone" had tampered with the fuel filter and they had no way of proving it was a manufacturer defect. Apparently, in this make of Hyundai Accent, the fuel lines run inside the cab of the car, you need to actually take the driver seat off to work on the fuel filter. We have never had the fuel filter worked on, so this was a surprise to us. …
2002 Hyundai Accent 2 dr sedan there is a dangerous problem where gas being pumped into the car is being rejected by the fuel system and spitting back out of the fuel pipe without triggering the gasoline pump shut off. The fuel has on many occasions spit back on the person filling the car with gasoline. Per the Hyundai dealer and consumer affairs this is a common problem yet no recall has been issued or requested. The problem is a charcoal fuel filter canister that contains a bag of charcoal that has burst whereby the charcoal pieces are blocking a valve that regulates the flow of fuel into the gas tank. The cost of the repair at the dealer is $720 plus tax. Gas will eventually be able to be put into the tank very slow if the person pumping the gas is aware of the problem, if not the gasoline sprays everywhere which is where the danger occurs. …
My 2002 Hyundai Accent "clicks off" repeatedly when attempting to refuel the vehicle. Gasoline pools in the chamber between the fuel door and the gas tank causing a serious hazard. Fuel smells are frequently observed within the car after fueling and for a period of days afterward. The "check engine" remains illuminated indicating a fuel line system. I have had the system checked by a full service automotive facility and they have replaced several parts with no success in remedying the problem. Have suggested possibly replacing the entire full line, gas tank, etc but have indicated this is likely a manufacturer defect that should be addressed as such. At the current time it is impossible to put more than a few ounces of gasoline into the car at any one time and failure to closely monitor the chamber while attempting to refuel can lead to gasoline overflow and spills. …
When putting gas in the car, the fuel pump clicks off every 10 cents or so as if the tank is full but it is not. Sometimes the gas oven runs back out of the tank as if it is overfilled and running over, but it is not. I live in nj, which is one of the two states that have full service gas stations. And gas station attendants constantly tell me that they encounter this problem specifically with Hyundai's all the time! They have told me that they have also seen this with brand new Hyundai models as well, so it's not a problem that has improved over the years since my dated 2002 model. Even the service tech at my local Hyundai dealership was all too familiar with this defect widely known with Hyundai's when I spoke to him. He also quoted me a price around $600, which he said from his experience as a technician doesn't guarantee the problem to be fixed. …
The gas tank will not accept fuel at a reasonable flow from a pump. It trips the shut off early. Sometimes fuel splashes out when this happens. Many Hyundai cars have this problem. From research, I found the following problems: 1) charcoal bits in the vent lines from the carbon canister- one owner cut open the canister and found a foam filter like in a window A/C that was damaged by gas allowing carbon to go into the vent lines clogging them and not allowing the tank to vent. Incompatable material used. 2) faulty check valve at the inlet of the gas tank does not open fully when refueling causing gas to back up the filler neck. 3) defective "sampling pump". This is in the vent system between the fuel filler pipe and the rear bumper. Pump does not operate when it should. 4) small filler tube. …
Tl* the contact owns 2002 Hyundai Accent. The contact stated that while refueling the fuel gauge indicated that the fuel tank was full. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the fuel pump and the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance although the vehicle was under warranty. The failure mileage was 69,012 and the current mileage was 69,100.updated 11/01/12 the consumer stated that the pump would stop fueling after 0.5 gallons of gas. The canister was replaced. The failure continued. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer then suggested to change the dmtc pump. If the rubber pipe connected to the canister is removed the vehicle can then be fueled as normal. Updated 11/02/2012
Fuel System complaints in other Accent years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Hyundai Accent?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Hyundai Accent, 19% of the model year's 134 complaints. The component named most often is delivery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Hyundai Accent fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2002 Hyundai Accent, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Accent fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.