2002 Hyundai Elantra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (28) · Suspension:front:control Arm (27) · Suspension (26)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Elantra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
243 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (79)
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 79 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-05-21 · Suspension · 248,000 mi“i was driving the car and the moment i tried to stop at the traffic stop sign the lower arm control from the driver side broke and the wheel broke and the car slid. thanks god it was at night and no cars were there. i remember the night before i was driving on the highway and nothing happened. i called my insurance and they sent me a towing truck …”
2020-01-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 237,242 mi“when pumping gas i can only pump about $1.50 worth of gas at a time before it starts coming back out and spilling everywhere. i have tried pumping gas with the car on, not safe i know, and it still only takes about $1.50 before it comes back out. i have spoken to multiple elantra owners and they all have the same issue. it takes about 20 minutes t…”
2019-03-02 · Air Bags · 130,098 mi“my 2002 huyndai elantra gls suddently the airbag is on soon engine running, and i have been told by technician that the airbag defective and it is under a recall.…”
2018-11-07 · Suspension · 45,000 mi“i have noted a recall #09v125000 related to this make/model/year but for some reason my car with the exact problem is not part of the recall. my right front control arm colapsed. it was completely rusted through. with that side fixed i traveled about 3 miles and my left side control arm broke. my mechanic and i were complexed, but after resea…”
2017-12-28 · Suspension · 233,122 mi“rear suspension cross member rotted out…”
2017-07-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“it is hard to fill the gas tank up. the fuel pump keeps shutting off and you have to slowly fill the gas tank up. you have to hold the pump to even get gas to fill the tank.…”
2016-11-07 · Steering · 126,650 mi“on october 28th, 2016 the lower, driver's side, front control arm disintegrated while my wife was driving her elantra in a parking lot. she was making a right turn to leave the lot when she lost control of the car as it made a "terrible grinding noise." the next day i removed the wheel and discovered the control arm was torn in two sections and …”
2016-08-14 · Exterior Lighting · 123,000 mi“airbag light came on and remains on steady as i was driving in residential section today, around 10pm. it has been 104 degrees with humidity factor the last couple of days.…”
2016-07-10 · Structure:body · 114,000 mi“there is rust coming through the quarter panels in the front…”
2016-06-15 · Air Bags · 97,000 mi“air bag light comes on when you move the seat forward or backward. should be covered by a recall, but when i call the dealer i am told that there are not open recalls on my vehicle. yet, the recall list for fixing the air bag system lists 2002 hyundai.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.