Most common 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems
Share of the 320 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Hyundai Sonata complaints by model year
Best Sonata years: 2025, 2019, 2020. Years to avoid: 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2017. Compare all years →
2002 Hyundai Sonata recalls (7)
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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 that portion of the plating May wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
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 plating, that portion of the plating May wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used.
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.
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, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode…
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 incorporates additional…
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.
Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
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 at speeds of 20 MPH.
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 the t125/80r-15…
Show 1 more recall
Air bags › Side/window
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 the vehicle, such as forcefully slamming a door closed.
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 do not receive the free…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2002 Hyundai Sonata:
Interior door handle laceration hazard
The manufacturer has issued a safety recall notification as a result of this investigation.the recall affects 91,202 my 2002-2003 subject vehicles produced from January 28, 2002, through March 22, 2003.the vehicle recall population was defined by the manufacturer's use of a new supplier for the chrome plating process beginning in January 2002, and a production change in March 2003 to improve adhesion of the plating…
Front sub-frame corrosion
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation, pe08-029, on April 22, 2008, based on 40 consumer complaints alleging front sub-frame corrosion in model year (my) 1999 through 2002 Hyundai sonata vehicles.complaints describe severe corrosion of the vehicle sub-frame in the area where the right-front lower control arm is attached.in some vehicles, sub-frame corrosion has caused complete or…
Tire valve stem failures
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe), pe05-059, based on nine consumer complaints of tire valve stem failures.the alleged valve stem failures occurred only after tire replacement from the original equipment (oe) tire (Michelin 205/65r15 energy mxv4 plus) to a non-oe? Aftermarket tire.ninety-eight percent of the aftermarket tires alleged to be associated with the tire valve…
Front sub-frame corrosion
In a letter dated April 14, 2009, Hyundai-Kia America technical center, inc (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that hyundaiis conducting a safety recall of model year (my) 1999 through 2004 Hyundai sonata vehicles manufactured prior to November 20, 2003 that are registered and operated in the following salt belt states and the district of columbia: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland,…
What 2002 Hyundai Sonata owners say
Body & structure all 88 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 33 MPH, the contact's vehicle struck a pothole. As a result, the contact veered to the right and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a neck injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was rusted and failed to support the control arm. The technician informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that premature rust and corrosion occurred on the front subframe. The rust went through the front subframe, causing it to fracture. The vehicle was serviced by checkered flag Hyundai (3033 virginia beach blvd, virginia beach, va 23452, [phone]) for NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension). The dealer had to disassemble the vehicle. Other parts were damaged. The dealer refused to replace the damaged parts and stated that they would only service the recall, which was completed. Also, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V317000 (latches/locks/linkages). The contact was not notified by the manufacturer of the two recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The parts were damaged from the completion of the recall repair. …
Suspension all 63 →
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. The contact was in the middle of the turn when the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the engine was still running, but the vehicle was not responding as needed. The contact turned off the vehicle and observed that the passenger's side control arm had detached and fallen onto the street. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the entire front end was extremely corroded. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her husband was driving, the vehicle stopped independently. Upon inspecting the vehicle, it was observed that the front subframe had detached. A bystander assisted the driver in moving the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a detached front subframe, right front axle, right front control arm, and front sway links. The contact was informed that the front subframe replacement was covered under a recall; however, the detached right front axle, right front control arm, and front sway links were not covered under the recall repair. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Air bags all 51 →
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
We recentlty purchased a used but showroom condition Hyundai Sonata with somewhere around 29,000 miles on it from a dealership. After about three weeks my son had to leave it in a parking lot. The throttle/cruise control cable (even tho he did not have the cruise control on) was stuck. He thought the problem was fixed so hedrove the car a few more weeks and was on his way home when the same thing happened again only this time he ran into a utility pole. The car was damaged pretty baddly but thank the lord he was not. He could have been killed. The utility company is charging us about $4000.00 or more dollars for the work they had to do to the pole. I called Hyundai consumer affairs. The car is at a Hyundai dealership. Consumer affairs is mailing me a form to fill out. I do not know if Hyundai is going to claim responsiblity or not. …
2002 Hyundai Sonata engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Hyundai Sonata a good car?
Based on 320 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Sonata rates average: 31% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sonata at the same age. 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 Sonata?
The body & structure — 88 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frame and members. Next are the suspension (63) and air bags (51).
How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Sonata have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, the most recent from August 7, 2009 (latch). 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 Sonata?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2019 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2013, 2012, 2015 and 2017. See the full Hyundai Sonata years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 90,000 miles; 23% 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.