2002 Hyundai Accent problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (15) · Fuel System, Gasoline (13) · Air Bags:frontal (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Accent model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
75 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (54)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Exterior Lighting 2025-11-06 · 25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (drl), or fog lamp. this tsb illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. lamp assembly replacement is not necessary
Visibility/Wiper 2024-02-14 · 24-BD-001H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. if the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, w
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-08-11 · Fuel/Propulsion System“purchased car 2002 in arizona. about 2009 when the check engine light came on and when filling the car with gas the pump would stop after less than .25 gallons pumped. it takes greater than 20 minutes to fill the tank and many times the auto shut off fails and i end up being sprayed gasoline. this is a personal safety issue as well as an enviroment…”
2019-09-09 · Unknown Or Other · 3 mi“all cars and trucks with yellow foggy headlamp lenses should be recalled ? when they were glass and only $ 5.00 they didn't turn yellow . that is a safety hazard not being able to see at nite. !! you people are not doing your job keeping us safe!…”
2019-03-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 67,000 mi“i got this car in 2015 and it keep failing the state of ohio vechicle inspection e-check test and the same code keeps coming up..... p1401..... why... it fail on jan 16,2019 and in 2017 jan.19.17 i spent $398.52 and had gas tank filler neck and canister ventvalve replace.....and again same code 2019 "p1401..help thks. (xxxx) parts of this docume…”
2018-04-26 · Child Seat · 💥 crash“i am a police officer, crash reconstructionist, and child seat technician. i was involved in investigating a serious injury crash in which a child was in a dorel juvenile group, scenera next convertible seat. the seat broke and failed to maintain its integrity. there was a very large crack down the side frame, and the entire back of the seat broke …”
2017-11-25 · Suspension · 84,000 mi“having the vehicle stationary, i jacked it up to do some brake work in the front driver's side. the lower control arms (as well as various frame parts underneath) are extremely rusty. when lowering the vehicle using a floor jack (after doing the repair) the lower control broke. i feel very fortunate this happened in my yard on my property. this veh…”
2017-08-10 · Seat Belts · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2002 hyundai accent. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became unconscious and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. the contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy, and the seat belt failed to operate as intended. a police report was filed. the contact sustained a fractured …”
2016-09-15 · Suspension · 63,200 mi · 💥 crash“the front lower control arms have rusted through completely and caused an accident with no injuries or major damage. driving 25 miles per hour on small road when control arm failed and caused loss of control.…”
2016-05-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“when putting gas in the car, the fuel pump clicks off every 10 cents or so as if the tank is full but it is not. sometimes the gas oven runs back out of the tank as if it is overfilled and running over, but it is not. i live in nj, which is one of the two states that have full service gas stations. and gas station attendants constantly tell me that…”
2015-08-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 92,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai accent. while refueling the vehicle, fuel would leak from the filler neck onto the ground. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 92,000.…”
2015-05-19 · Unknown Or Other · 78,000 mi“was driving down the road and heard something scrapping and vehicle quit moving had to be pushed out of a dangerous curve into a parking lot all transmission fluid leak out as the tow truck lifted it onto it's bed. had to pay for the tow truck, and had only had the car for 6 days. it is still under warranty but the company i bought it from has left…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.