Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the link assembly front stabilizer and the control arms completely lowered and the front end had excessive rust. In addition, the front tires fell off due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,178. ...updated 02/03/16
From day of purchase, I noticed a vibration in the steering, starting about 42 MPH. Took the vehicle to dealer, who rotated and balanced tires. Vibration then started about 50 MPH, back to the dealer rotated and balanced tires again along with alignment. Vibration about 58 MPH back to dealer again, rotation, forced balancing, rotor turned down, still had vibration. Filed under lemon law, final attempt by service department involved hma regional chief mechanic trouble shooter. He claimed they loosened motor mounts and let engine center itself, changed tires, balanced and aligned again. After a week I picked up car which he said was fine. Vibration still noticeable. Gave up on hma and drove car about 20,000 more miles till vibration got so bad I had to go to a brake shop because it was almost impossible to stop. They changed pads, adjusted brakes and rebuilt right front caliper. …
Received safety recall notice regarding control arm & subframe on our 2002 Hyundai Elantra on wed. Mar 3,2010. Plan was to contact dealership on sat.(mar 6,2010) to schedule appointment for the following week. Received a panic call from my wife that something had snapped as she was crossing the rhinecliff bridge . Fortunately this occurred just as she was exiting the toll booth. Booth operator assisted her in getting car out of main flow of traffic and calling a tow truck. Tow truck driver confirmed that control arm had snapped as did the hyunadi dealer (where car was purchased). Dealer also said there were numerous other recalls concerning this vehicle that they would also be repairing. We were never notified of any of these with the exception of the control arm issue and in that case it failed within a few days of our notice. …
Car recalled for "salt belt corrosion" repairs in 2002. Original owner sold car back to Hyundai dealership. Repairs were never done.when I bought this used Hyundai Elantra in late 2002, it had less than 13K miles on its odometer. It was serviced at a 2nd Hyundai dealership until 2012, when its 10 yr/ 100 k mi warranty expired. Today, even though it still has < 100 k on its odometer, the entire underside of the vehicle is so badly rusted that I've been told by two different sources that the corrosion on the underside is so bad that, during a 50 MPH or greater accident, it is likely the entire inside of the car could fall onto the highway, while it kept moving forward, decapitating everyone inside. Jpg images of the extent of the corrosion on this vehicle are available at: www.hyundaidcm.com/web/activitydetails.aspx?activityid=7738650-4. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated the vehicle would not move as she attempted to accelerate from a traffic stop. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. The mechanic advised that the lower a frame assembly was defective and would need to be replaced. The vehicle frame was replaced at the contacts expense. Later, she received notification of NHTSA recall campaign id number: 09V125000 (suspension: front: control arm) and contact the manufacturer to advise the recall remedy was performed at her expense. The manufacturer advised she would be reimbursed for the repair but would need to submit all receipts and take the vehicle to the dealer for verification inspection. The dealer advised the front sub frame would need to be replaced. The contact advised the frame was already replaced. The contact was not reimbursed for the repair. …
10/2008, I was driving down a steep hill and began to downshift, while braking. My car jerked and skidded at the bottom. I was able to get it to the side of the road. A flatbed towed it and determined that the front drivers side wheel/tie rod had broken. The mechanic noted some corrosion, but repaired what needed to be done. March 2009, I had new front tires placed and balanced. Shortly afterwards, I got a flat tire, had the spare put on and brought it back for replacement. The front end seemed out of alignment, so it was brought back to the mechanic for realignment. It was then they saw that the entire subframe was corroded and "dangerous" to drive. The front arms were bent and subsequently collapsed. The repairs at this time would exceed the value of the car and I am reduced to "junking" my 7 year old vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. The contact inspected underneath the vehicle and noticed oil leaking from the transmission. In addition, the control arms on both sides of the vehicle had holes and were corroded. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the control arm and subframe failed. The vehicle has not been repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 09V125000 (suspension:front:control arm) due to the unavailability of the necessary parts for the repair. There is a massive back order for the parts. The technician recommended that the vehicle not be driven due to the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 111,000.
Something hit car over driverside windshield and door during transport. Insurance totaled. Airbag light already on. Before settling with insurance co, bought tag and insurance. Bought car back from ins co. Drove until tag expired.can"t get salvage title until airbag light is fixed. Took it to Hyundai dealership in montgomery al. Diagnosis (air bag control module), which is recall part. Talked with Hyundai supervisor [redacted]. He told me that my car wasn"t in the recall number, but coincidentally my car needs the same recall part. Maybe they made mistake and left my car out.
Body complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the body & structure of the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, 8% of the model year's 342 complaints. The component named most often is body (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Hyundai Elantra body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 6 recalls 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 Elantra body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.