VehicleVerdict

2002 Hyundai Elantra fuel system problems

The 2002 Hyundai Elantra has 33 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

33

Fuel System complaints

8%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Elantra fuel system complaints by model year49 complaints1992: 1 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 4 complaints1996: 14 complaints1997: 20 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 7 complaints2001: 14 complaints2002: 33 complaints2003: 19 complaints2004: 4 complaints2005: 4 complaints2006: 3 complaints2007: 6 complaints2008: 49 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 8 complaints2012: 18 complaints2013: 32 complaints2014: 24 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 19 complaints2017: 30 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 4 complaints2020: 10 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 4 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Elantra fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra fuel system — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra fuel system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 04V178000, 04V369000.

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.