NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata; the most frequently affected component is latches/locks/linkages — latch. Owners filed 325 complaints, most often about suspension. Among the 24 model years of this model in the database, 2002 ranks #6 for number of recalls.
Latches/locks/linkages — LatchCampaign 09V317000 · 07 Aug 2009
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 82 model year 2002-2003 sonata vehicles. Repeated use of the interior door handle may cause wear of the chrome plating. If the top edge of the handle has very thin chrome plating that portion of the plating may wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used. The worn chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may result in a crack or separation between the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle, which may form a sharp edge.
Risk: A sharp edge could lacerate or otherwise injure a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall began on september 16, 2009. Owners may contact hyundai of puerto rico at 1-787-999-3333.
Latches/locks/linkages — LatchCampaign 09V171000 · 21 May 2009
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 91,350 my 2002-2003 hyundai sonata vehicles. Repeated use of the interior door handle may cause wear of the chrome plate. If the top edge of the handle has very thin chrome plating, that portion of the plating may wear away more easily than more thickly plated areas as the door handle is used. The worn chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may result in a crack or separation between the chrome plating on the inboard and outboard surfaces of the handle, which may form a sharp edge.
Risk: This may inflict laceration injuries to anyone using the door handle.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the chrome plated interior door handle free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during june 2009. Owners may contact hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
SuspensionCampaign 09V124000 · 16 Apr 2009
Problem: Hyundai is recalling 188,282 my 2001-2004 sonata and my 2001-2004 xg300 and xg350 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 applied in these jurisdictions during the winter months may result in progressive, internal corrosion of the front sub-frame on the vehicles, and may result in thinning or perforation of the sub-frame steel. The corrosion is frequently visible and often discovered during inspection or routine maintenance, and owners may also hear noises or notice tire misalignment and steering pull. If these signals are undetected or unheeded, the corrosion may progress and the forward mounting of the lower control arm may detach from the sub-frame.
Risk: If that happens, the vehicle may lose drive power to the wheels, and the front wheel may make contact with the fender or wheel well, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will measure the thickness of the front sub-frame and inspect the front sub-frame for corrosion damage and, if necessary, the front sub-frame will be replaced with a new sub-frame that incorporates additional holes in the upper and lower panels. If the front sub-frame does not require replacement, the dealer will add drainage holes to the sub-frame and will treat the sub-frame with rust-proofing material to stop the corrosion process. This procedure will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during april 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Tires — Temporary/emergency spare tireCampaign 03V097000 · 17 Mar 2003
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a traction control system (tcs), if the t125/70d-15 compact spare tire is installed on a front wheel position, the tcs may inadvertently activate beginning at speeds of 20 mph.
Risk: Inadvertent activation of the tcs will cause automatic application of the brake at the wheel where the compact spare tire is installed. Inadvertent brake application could cause overheating and damage to the brake, and may prevent the vehicle from being driven at speeds above 20 mph, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare tire with a new larger diameter t125/80r-15 compact spare tire and a new tire pressure label will be installed on the driver's door to provide information applicable to the t125/80r-15 compact spare tire. Vehicles produced from november 15, 2002 through december 16 2002, already contain t125/80r-15 compact spare tires, will only require new tire pressure labels. Owner notification began june 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Air bags — Side/windowCampaign 02V145000 · 24 May 2002
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the supplemental restraint system (srs) side impact air bag satellite sensors may be too sensitive to some lateral accelerations that are not caused by side impacts to the vehicle, such as forcefully slamming a door closed.
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of a srs side impact air bag when a side impact crash has not occurred could increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the side impact air bag satellite sensors. Owner notification began july 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Suspension13 · 32%
Structure12 · 30%
Unknown or other6 · 15%
Air bags3 · 8%
Electrical system2 · 5%
Engine2 · 5%
Fuel/propulsion system2 · 5%
Service brakes2 · 5%
When complaints were filed
20154
201614
20176
20186
20191
20203
20212
20221
20241
20252
From owner complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While driving, the sun visor inadvertently fell and blocked the contact's view. The contact stated that the sun visor failed to stay up. The vehicle was taken to blaise alexander hyundai (1703 w college ave, state college, pa 16801, (814) 234-2886) could not determine the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While attempting to drive the vehicle straight, the vehicle swayed from left to right without the driver steering in those directions. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was completely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired.…
On november 30, 2020 after shopping in food store, starting the cat and coming out of a parking lot and driving the car forward, i smell something burning. Stop & open the front hood and saw smoke coming out of the air filter housing and started to burn. Somebody helped and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher.…
Gas tank will not normally accept gas and clicks off every 5 cents worth that is pumped. After 3 gallons and 15 minutes later, the tank spits out the gas. This problem is so chronic the attendants at costco gas told me many sonatas have this issue. Recall or class action lawsuit?
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.