2002 Hyundai Sonata Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Front
  5
• Rear
  3
• Front › Wheel bearing
  2
• Front › Control arm › Lower arm
  2
• Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
  1
• Front › Control arm › Upper arm
  1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  48%
• 50k–75k
  36%
• 75k–100k
  917%
• 100k–150k
  1834%
• 150k+
  1936%

Owner reports

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

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.

The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at a slow speed, the sub frame snapped and fractured the axle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the part had been discontinued. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and made abnormal sounds. The vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

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.

My wife was driving home from work on a county road doing approx. 45 MPH. The front right tire suddenly tilted 50 degrees inward and she lost control of the auto. After nearly missing a telephone pole, she plowed into a corn field and came to a sudden stop. She suffered a sprained wrist from steering wheel "whip" and bruised her knee in the accident. Upon examination by the mechanic , he found that the a frame on the right side had broke in half. The metal in the frame had rusted from the inside out making it difficult to see by previous under-carriage repairs, such as tire change, oil change etc. The car has had superb maintenance throughout its history and has been bought and sold within the same family since being bought new by the son in 2002. …

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. …

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 exiting the freeway at approximately 45 MPH, the passenger side axle failed and damaged the wheel without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was also towed to malloy Hyundai (1880 opitz blvd, woodbridge, va 22191, [phone]) for another diagnostic test, but the results were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40 MPH, the front driver side lower control arm fractured and damaged the front axle, strut, front fender, and front tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and lower back, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V125000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Related recalls

Suspension complaints in other Sonata years