2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra. This model year has 349 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Suspension Failures.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2002 Hyundai Elantra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Airbag Malfunctions
Brake System
Considering a 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 96 | 4 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 71 | 34 | 2 | — | |
| Brake System | 34 | 12 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 32 | 11 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 27 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 23 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Gasoline | 22 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 19 | 2 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 18 | 6 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 16 | 5 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 14 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 9 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 8 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 349 most recent complaints
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE MOMENT I TRIED TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC STOP SIGN THE LOWER ARM CONTROL FROM THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE AND THE WHEEL BROKE AND THE CAR SLID. THANKS GOD IT WAS AT NIGHT AND NO CARS WERE THERE. I REMEMBER THE NIGHT BEFORE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT…
WHEN PUMPING GAS I CAN ONLY PUMP ABOUT $1.50 WORTH OF GAS AT A TIME BEFORE IT STARTS COMING BACK OUT AND SPILLING EVERYWHERE. I HAVE TRIED PUMPING GAS WITH THE CAR ON, NOT SAFE I KNOW, AND IT STILL ONLY TAKES ABOUT $1.50 BEFORE IT COMES BACK OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MULTIPLE ELANTR…
MY 2002 HUYNDAI ELANTRA GLS SUDDENTLY THE AIRBAG IS ON SOON ENGINE RUNNING, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT THE AIRBAG DEFECTIVE AND IT IS UNDER A RECALL.
I HAVE NOTED A RECALL #09V125000 RELATED TO THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. MY RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM COLAPSED. IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. WITH THAT SIDE FIXED I TRAVELED ABOUT 3 MILES AND MY LEFT SIDE …
REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER ROTTED OUT
IT IS HARD TO FILL THE GAS TANK UP. THE FUEL PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND YOU HAVE TO SLOWLY FILL THE GAS TANK UP. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE PUMP TO EVEN GET GAS TO FILL THE TANK.
THE WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTY.
ON OCTOBER 28TH, 2016 THE LOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT CONTROL ARM DISINTEGRATED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER ELANTRA IN A PARKING LOT. SHE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN TO LEAVE THE LOT WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AS IT MADE A "TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE." THE NEXT DAY I REMOVED …
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINS ON STEADY AS I WAS DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL SECTION TODAY, AROUND 10PM. IT HAS BEEN 104 DEGREES WITH HUMIDITY FACTOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.
THERE IS RUST COMING THROUGH THE QUARTER PANELS IN THE FRONT
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN YOU MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD OR BACKWARD. SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL, BUT WHEN I CALL THE DEALER I AM TOLD THAT THERE ARE NOT OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. YET, THE RECALL LIST FOR FIXING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM LISTS 2002 HYUNDAI.
MY VEHICLE HAS CONTROL ARM RUST AND PERFORATIONS IN THE SUBFRAME, COVERED UNDER AN EXISTING RECALL. HYUNDAI HAS ADMITTED THAT THE PARTS ARE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, BUT STATES THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROL ARMS DUE TO RUST DAMAGE ON THE FRAME ITSELF. R…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V533000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,190.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE BRAKE FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOT…
RANDOM ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH WITHOUT EXPLANATION.
ENGINE STOPS SUDDENLY ALMOST CREATING ACCIDENT. CAUSE ?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…
CAR RECALLED FOR "SALT BELT CORROSION" REPAIRS IN 2002. ORIGINAL OWNER SOLD CAR BACK TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. REPAIRS WERE NEVER DONE.WHEN I BOUGHT THIS USED HYUNDAI ELANTRA IN LATE 2002, IT HAD LESS THAN 13K MILES ON ITS ODOMETER. IT WAS SERVICED AT A 2ND HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP UNTIL …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LINK ASSEMBLY FRONT STABILIZER AND THE CONTROL ARMS COMPLETELY LOWERED AND THE FRONT END HAD EXCESSIVE RUST. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT TIRES FELL OFF DUE TO THE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAI…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED AND THE BCD PLAYER WOULD NOT STOP OPERATING UNLESS THERE WAS A BCD INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra.
Recalls for 2002 Hyundai Elantra
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2002 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2002 Hyundai Elantra has 349 NHTSA owner complaints, 58 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Suspension Failures (96 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?▾
#1: Suspension Failures (96 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (71 complaints). #3: Brake System (34 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?▾
The 2002 Hyundai Elantra has 58 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 349 total NHTSA complaints. 40 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?▾
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Hyundai Elantra. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Hyundai Elantra?▾
The 2002 Hyundai Elantra has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Suspension Failures issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2002 Hyundai Elantra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.