Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Midsize Cars

2002 Hyundai SonataRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 326 owner complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata. Most complaints involve structure (88) and suspension (64). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Aug 2009
Owner complaints
326
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Aug 7, 2009NHTSA 09V317000

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported May 21, 2009NHTSA 09V171000

Suspension

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Apr 16, 2009NHTSA 09V124000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

326 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2001 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure88
  2. Suspension64
  3. Air bags52
  4. Electrical system24
  5. Steering24
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic21
  7. Fuel system, gasoline20
  8. Engine and engine cooling17
  9. Power train13

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sonata model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199624
199752
199850
1999170
2000278
2001219
2002326
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,380
20121,559
20131,917
2014751
20151,156
2016728
2017769
2018375
2019162
2020183
2021135
202296
202388
202448
202517
20263
Crashes reported
31
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
54
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

88 reports2 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE FELL THROUGH THE CRADLE ASSEMBLY AND CRUSHED THE AXLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOT OF SQUEAKING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2018Structure, EngineODI 11115133

Suspension

64 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her husband was driving, the vehicle stopped independently. Upon inspecting the vehicle, it was observed that the front subframe had detached. A bystander assisted the driver in moving the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a detached front subframe, right front axle, right front control arm, and front sway links. The contact was informed that the front subframe replacement was covered under a recall; however, the detached right front axle, right front control arm, and front sway links were not covered under the recall repair. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026SuspensionODI 11770787

Air bags

52 reports22 crashes
“MY ROOMMATE GOT INTO A T BONE TYPE ACCIDENT SHE WAS GOING AT LEAST 25MPH AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT IT HIT HARD ENOUGH TO RIP THE CORE SUPPORT OFF, WE HAVE PICTURES. SHE DID NOT TAKE THE AMBULANCE BUT SHE'S WILL PROBABLY GO TO THE ER LATER”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11318645
All 2002 Sonata problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sonata
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
Sonata
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
Sonata
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Sonata
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
  • Sonata
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sonata
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 4453
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Sonata questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Sonata have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems?

Owners filed 326 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (88), suspension (64), air bags (52). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Hyundai Sonata get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Hyundai Sonata at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026