Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Hyundai Sonata problems
Owners filed 326 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata with NHTSA between Oct 2001 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (88).
Complaints
326
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
31
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
54
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure88
- Suspension64
- Air bags52
- Electrical system24
- Steering24
- Service brakes, hydraulic21
- Fuel system, gasoline20
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Power train13
- Wheels11
- Tires11
- Latches/locks/linkages9
- Vehicle speed control8
- Engine5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
26
17
22
23
20
11
40
32
27
11
13
19
17
9
14
6
6
1
3
2
1
0
1
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 26 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 40 |
| 2009 | 32 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
Suspension
64 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Air bags
52 reports22 crashes1 related recall
“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”
Electrical system
24 reports1 crash3 fires
“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. THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOOD AND MY DAILY DRIVER BEFORE THE INCIDENT.”
Steering
24 reports3 crashes1 fire
“I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED AND THE TIE ROD AND CV JOINT CAME LOOSE. THE STEERING WENT OUT. A CERTIFIED FRAME MECHANIC SAID THE SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
21 reports2 crashes
“THE BRAKE LINES FROM ENGINE TO THE BACK OF THE CAR NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE ONE OF THE ATTACHMENTS (HOLDING THE BRAKE LINES IN PLACE UNDERNEATH THE CAR) GOT RUSTED AND CORROSION. THEN IT CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO GET RUSTED AND BRAKE FLUID STARTED TO LEAK PRETTY BAD. IS IT NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE LINES TO GET RUSTED?? SHOULD I REPORT TO HYUNDAI? THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WENT EMPTY SO QUICKLY AND I FOUND THE LEAKING SPOT. IT SQUIRTS PRETTY BAD WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE LEAKING SPOT IS UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHERE THE BACK SEATS ARE LOCATED. I NEED SOME ADVISE BEFORE I START DOING SOMETHING. THANK YOU. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.