Most common 2002 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of the 342 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Elantra complaints by model year
Best Elantra years: 2025. Years to avoid: 2013, 2017, 2012, 2018, 2011. Compare all years →
2002 Hyundai Elantra recalls (6)
Suspension › Front › Control arm
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, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont,…
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 control arms…
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
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 the seat, May result in an electrical resistance that would cause supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light illumination.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
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 not properly closed, fuel spillage May occur.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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 antilock brake system (ABS), the rear brake tubes could contact both steering gearbox mounting brackets.
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 to the tubes in the…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2002 Hyundai Elantra:
Front lower control arms rusting
On April 14, 2009, Hyundai motor corporation submitted to odi a defect information report indicating that it would recall a salt-belt population of approximately 155,317 model year (my) 2001 through 2003 Hyundai elantra vehicles to remedy a defect that can result in loss of vehicle control with an increased risk of a crash while driving (09v-125).the affected vehicles cover all my 2001, my 2002, and my 2003 through…
Air bag light illumination
In certain model year (my) 2001 and 2002 vehicles, the air bag system is susceptible to air bag light illumination and air bag non-deployment or inadvertent deployment from liquid contamination of the air bag control module.the control module is located beneath and near center console cup holders.odi is also aware of complaints regarding air bag light illumination due to loss of proper air bag electrical integrity…
Air bag light illumination
Hyundai is conducting two safety recalls to correct two safety defects described below.under safety recall 08v-532, Hyundai will install a vinyl protective shield/cover to prevent short circuits in the air bag control module cause by spills of liquids that seep into the module connector.
What 2002 Hyundai Elantra owners say
Suspension all 95 →
My vehicle has control arm rust and perforations in the subframe, covered under an existing recall. Hyundai has admitted that the parts are covered under the recall, but states that they are unable to replace the subframe and control arms due to rust damage on the frame itself. Replacing the damaged portions of the frame will cost well over the price of the vehicle. If the subframe did not have to be replaced, the frame would likely hold for some time and not require replacement in the near future. The frame damage is only an immediate issue because the recall repair needs to be done. Hyundai has offered me to either replace the frame damage at my own expense so they can complete the recall repair, or take a buyout equal to the kelly blue book value of the vehicle. Other compensation such as rental fees was refused. …
I was driving the car and the moment I tried to stop at the traffic stop sign the lower arm control from the driver side broke and the wheel broke and the car slid. Thanks god it was at night and no cars were there. I remember the night before I was driving on the highway and nothing happened. I called my insurance and they sent me a towing truck to move the car. I didn't repair the car because it was a big mess. I took some pictures of it and the towing company guy also. I remember I went to Hyundai dealer and I was looking for a part their and they took my VIN number to check for the part but never told me about the recall. Can Hyundai company give me some money back that I spent for towing and loosing my car because of this incident. I even paid for the car registration weeks before.
Air bags all 70 →
Was traveling home at 6 pm and I was coming over a hill and a car stoped short I swerved to avoid collission and side swiped a telephone pole.the airbags went off and I was hit with a piece of sharpnal that went into my lip causing me to get stitches and has left my face disfigured.
I owned 1 2002 Hyundai Elantra, in which I was involved in a serious accident on the freeway. My car was only 5 months old when this accident occurred. This car was purchased because it had been equipped with 4 airbags, which included head protection. This accident occurred on February 19, 2003. I was hit by a semi truck, mainly on the drivers side, to which none of the 4 airbags deployed. Hyundai had been contacted, to which they claim there was no possible fault of the manufacturer. I am permanently disabled due to this accident, which left me with a brain injury as well as numerous permanent issues. We are working with senator timothy grindell in the state of ohio, to make "road rage" (which had been the reason for this accident), in trying to make road rage a punishable crime in the state of ohio. …
Brakes all 34 →
On 11/03/05 I had an accident where I rear ended another vehicle. I did not realize exactly what happened at the time of the accident, but did tell the police something was wrong with either the brakes or the tires. I just had a very uncomfortable feeling when attempting to stop! I felt as though the vehicle was coasting. The damage to my vehicle was $1,385.00 and I have no idea of the damage to the other vehicle. I subsequently discovered, after duplicating the incident, my foot was on both the brake and accelerator. The brake pedal, on the Hyundai Elantra, is 2.25 inches from the accelerator. A similar incident resulted in a 424,000 vehicle recall and correction by Ford motor co. …
The brakes failed and as a result the consumer crashed the vehicle crashed into a pole. The vehicle was no longer under warranty since salt water was involved. The dealership is not responding to the needs of the consumer and the manufacturer is in denial of any brake problems. Please provide any additional information. There was also oil leaking from the vehicle. The consumer later received a recall notice regarding brake failure, however the consumer was told it was not the problem.
2002 Hyundai Elantra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 30 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 30 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra a good car?
Based on 342 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Elantra rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Elantra at the same age. It is one of the Elantra years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
The suspension — 95 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › control arm. Next are the air bags (70) and brakes (34).
How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, the most recent from April 16, 2009 (control arm). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Elantra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2017, 2012, 2018 and 2011. See the full Hyundai Elantra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Elantra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.