2002 Hyundai Sonata Body Problems

Which parts fail

• Frame and members
  53
• Body
  14
• Frame and members › Underbody shields
  10
• Body › Door
  5
• Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
  1

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  11%
• 25k–50k
  68%
• 50k–75k
  1114%
• 75k–100k
  1317%
• 100k–150k
  2735%
• 150k+
  1925%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Hyundai Sonata owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the heat shield fell off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was severely rusted and corroded. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the undercarriage had severe rust and corrosion, and was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was then taken to grossinger Hyundai of palatine (221 e lake cook rd, palatine, il 60074 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe was severely rusted, needed replacement, and was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While making a right turn, the contact heard an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle started to wobble and then stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called lancaster Hyundai at [phone] (located at 5260 main st, east petersburg, pa 17520) and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and also informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 127,028.

The vehicle started making a noise and driving weird. It looked like one tire was pointed straight and the other tire turned slightly. I stopped at a gas station to see what was wrong and they said the a frame was almost rusted into. I had already had the metal in the rear of the car replaced from being rusted out near were the shock attaches. I have researched and seen where several sonatas have been recalled due to severe rust issues. The body even has been rusting badly. The bigger concern is the frame. I am afraid to drive it now. Do not know what recourse I have. This happened while driving. The car is now parked and am afraid to move it, even to a garage.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would veer in either direction independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure recurred and the vehicle droive into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was discovered that the subframe was corroded and the bolts separated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While attempting to drive the vehicle straight, the vehicle swayed from left to right without the driver steering in those directions. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was completely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was determined that the vehicle was too dangerous to drive and would not be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine fell through the cradle assembly and crushed the axle. There was no warning indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the contact heard a lot of squeaking while driving various speeds and making turns. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the subframe fractured without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension); however, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. The VIN was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While coming to a stop, the front subframe fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,856.

NHTSA investigations

Body complaints in other Sonata years