VehicleVerdict

2002 Hyundai Sonata fuel system problems

The 2002 Hyundai Sonata has 26 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

26

Fuel System complaints

6%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Sonata fuel system complaints by model year209 complaints1990: 1 complaints1995: 2 complaints1997: 19 complaints1998: 13 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 6 complaints2002: 26 complaints2003: 19 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 5 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 9 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 23 complaints2010: 12 complaints2011: 134 complaints2012: 117 complaints2013: 209 complaints2014: 88 complaints2015: 82 complaints2016: 34 complaints2017: 32 complaints2018: 30 complaints2019: 10 complaints2020: 57 complaints2021: 26 complaints2022: 26 complaints2023: 42 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Sonata 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

“THROTTLE BODY GOT STUCK WIDE OPEN THERE US A PIC OF THIS IN GETTYSBURG TIMES I GOT VIDEO OF THE CAR GOING WILD MY CAR DROVE INTO A SUPPORT LINE AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. HAMILTON HYUNDAI - CHAMBERSBURG, PA HAD A FEW MECHANICS COME AND THEY TOLD ME TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE CAUSE IT WAS STICKING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 3, 2013 · crash

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 26 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata fuel system — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata 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.