Complaints
431
Crashes
80
Fires
7
Injuries
53
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Hyundai Elantra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#140 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:89,517 mi
Crash-related:12
#229 complaints
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
Avg mileage:93,018 mi
Crash-related:1
#327 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:123,265 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 40 | 12 | — | 89,517 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 29 | 1 | — | 93,018 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 27 | 1 | — | 123,265 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 27 | 2 | 1 | 86,841 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 22 | 19 | 2 | 49,341 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 19 | — | — | 73,076 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 1 | — | 93,553 mi | |
| Body Structure | 13 | 1 | — | 88,152 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 12 | — | — | 42,996 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 11 | 4 | — | 27,946 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 11 | 1 | — | 83,063 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | 5 | — | 55,750 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | — | 69,861 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 10 | — | — | 78,342 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 10 | 1 | — | 56,952 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | — | 121,908 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | 1 | — | 75,253 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | — | — | 82,100 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 6 | 5 | — | 19,333 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 5 | — | — | 34,512 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 5 | 5 | 1 | 31,236 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 5 | 1 | — | 33,842 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | — | — |
Airbags
40
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,517
Suspension:Front:Control Arm
29
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,018
Suspension Failures
27
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
123,265
Suspension:Front
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,841
Air Bags:Frontal
22
complaints
Crashes
19
Fires
2
Avg Miles
49,341
Gasoline Fuel System
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,076
Steering Defects
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,553
Body Structure
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,152
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,996
Hydraulic Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,946
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,063
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
55,750
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,861
Structure:Frame And Members
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,342
Tire Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,952
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
121,908
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,253
Headlight/Taillight Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
6
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
19,333
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,512
Air Bags:Side/Window
5
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
31,236
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,842
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
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.
Other Hyundai Elantra Years
2002 Hyundai Elantra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Hyundai Elantra has 431 NHTSA complaints, 80 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 40 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
Top reported problems: Airbags (40 complaints, avg 89,517 mi); Suspension:Front:Control Arm (29 complaints, avg 93,018 mi); Suspension Failures (27 complaints, avg 123,265 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 77,672 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra include 80 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 53 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Elantra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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.
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