Complaints
407
Crashes
50
Fires
9
Injuries
65
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Hyundai Sonata Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#153 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members
Avg mileage:99,321 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#250 complaints
Suspension Failures
Avg mileage:132,794 mi
Crash-related:3
#323 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:98,118 mi
Crash-related:9
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 53 | 2 | 1 | 99,321 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 50 | 3 | — | 132,794 mi | |
| Airbags | 23 | 9 | — | 98,118 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 19 | 3 | 1 | 115,911 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 17 | 1 | 3 | 86,172 mi | |
| Body Structure | 14 | — | — | 107,310 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 | 10 | — | 43,100 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 13 | — | — | 100,091 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 12 | 4 | — | 52,181 mi | |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 10 | — | — | 156,781 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 8 | 1 | — | 108,105 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | — | — | 53,786 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 6 | 1 | — | 24,229 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 4 | — | 107,667 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | 1 | 130,750 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 54,800 mi | |
| Fuel System | 5 | 1 | — | 133,667 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 5 | 1 | — | 65,949 mi | |
| Brakes | 5 | — | 1 | 94,469 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 | — | — | 20,348 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | — | — | 161,250 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 | — | — | 76,250 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 5 | — | — | 112,333 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 82,662 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | 1 | — | — |
Structure:Frame And Members
53
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
99,321
Suspension Failures
50
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
132,794
Airbags
23
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,118
Steering Defects
19
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
115,911
Electrical Faults
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
86,172
Body Structure
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,310
Air Bags:Frontal
13
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,100
Gasoline Fuel System
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,091
Air Bags:Side/Window
12
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,181
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
156,781
Wheel Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,105
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,786
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
24,229
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,667
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
130,750
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,800
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
133,667
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
65,949
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
94,469
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
20,348
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
161,250
Structure:Body:Door
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,250
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
112,333
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,662
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Hyundai Sonata Years
2002 Hyundai Sonata — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Hyundai Sonata has 407 NHTSA complaints, 50 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structure:Frame And Members with 53 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Sonata?
Top reported problems: Structure:Frame And Members (53 complaints, avg 99,321 mi); Suspension Failures (50 complaints, avg 132,794 mi); Airbags (23 complaints, avg 98,118 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 Sonata?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 99,935 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 Sonata?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata include 50 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 65 injuries, and 0 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 Sonata have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata?
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 Sonata reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Hyundai Sonata
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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