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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Wheels11
  11. Tires11
  12. Latches/locks/linkages9
  13. Vehicle speed control8
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20012
200226
200317
200422
200523
200620
200711
200840
200932
201027
201111
201213
201319
201417
20159
201614
20176
20186
20191
20203
20212
20221
20230
20241
20252
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2018Structure, EngineODI 11115133

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026SuspensionODI 11770787

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11318645

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2020Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11384081

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2015Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 10723711

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10448546
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.