VehicleVerdict

2002 Hyundai Elantra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 431 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Elantra year — the 2002 model ranks #8 of 37 Elantra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 53 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (100), airbags (72), and brakes (36), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

431

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

80

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

53

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Elantra years?

See all Elantra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Elantra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension10023%
Airbags7217%
Brakes368%
Fuel System338%
Body & Structure307%
Lighting194%
Speed Control184%
Tires & Wheels174%
Transmission174%
Electrical System164%
Seat Belts164%
Steering164%
Engine133%
Other113%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V125000SuspensionApril 16, 2009 · 160,904 units

Defect

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, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.

Consequence

THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

08V533000AirbagsOctober 14, 2008 · 150,541 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.

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. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2008, AND WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

04V369000Fuel SystemJuly 26, 2004 · 919 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

04V178000Fuel SystemApril 9, 2004 · 263,968 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

03V496000BrakesDecember 3, 2003 · 1,993 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.

Consequence

CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V257000BrakesJuly 22, 2003 · 312,292 units

Defect

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. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence

FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS FAILED AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A FATAL CRASH. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 18, 2010 · crash · fire

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH AND GOING DOWN AND A CURB THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RESPOND AND REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER, UNDER PUERTO RICAN LAW, VEHICLE WOULD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 10, 2003 · crash

BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE DRIVER BECAME COMATOSE. ATTORNEY FELT THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AS STATED IN RECALL 03V257000. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 26, 2003 · crash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO RECALL (04V178000) REGARDING THE FUEL TANK. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 27, 2004 · crash · fire

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 26, 2014 · crash

2002 Hyundai Elantra — common questions

Is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 431 complaints put the 2002 model at #8 of 37 Elantra years. It is one of the Elantra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Elantra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (100 complaints), airbags (72 complaints), brakes (36 complaints).

Does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Hyundai Elantra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elantra years to avoid are 2013, 2017, 2012, 2011, 2014, 2010, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2018, 2016, 2007, 2015, 2020, 2019, 1997, 1995, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1993. The cleanest record among Elantra years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.