2002 Hyundai Sonata problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:frame And Members (47) · Suspension (42) · Air Bags (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Sonata model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
226 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (90)
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 90 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-13 · Suspension · 73,000 mi“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 de…”
2025-09-10 · Unknown Or Other“i purchased a 2002 hyundai sonata from a private seller who represented the car had about 40,000–45,000 miles. however, diagnostics from o’reilly auto parts showed 278,000 miles, and hyundai’s system confirmed over 302,000 miles. the title is marked “mileage exempt,” and the seller is not the same person listed on the title, suggesting title jumpin…”
2025-08-20 · Suspension · 86,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. the contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at a slow speed, the sub frame snapped and fractured the axle. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and the contact was made aware of nhtsa campaign number: 09v124000 (suspension). the vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed th…”
2024-08-21 · Suspension · 204,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. the contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph and slowing for a right turn, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. the contact was in the middle of the turn when the vehicle lost motive power. the contact stated that the engine was still running, but the …”
2022-09-12 · Suspension:subframe/Mounting Bracket · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and made abnormal sounds. the vehicle then lost motive power. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was related to nhtsa campaign number: 09v124000 (suspension) however, the vin was not …”
2021-06-03 · Unknown Or Other“made right hand turn passenger wheel cocked dead stop. when checked out was told sub frame rust apart on passenger side.…”
2021-02-25 · Unknown Or Other · 148,000 mi“you did a recall a number of years ago on the chrome on the interior door handles peeling off and being hazardous. now the same thing is happening to the chrome on the gear shift handle. it is very sharp and has made minor cuts to the right hand while shifting the vehicle. the vehicle was stationary. it is an ongoing problem as the chrome keeps pee…”
2020-12-18 · Engine · 77,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2020-10-20 · Suspension · 179,000 mi“rear subframe rusted away and trailing arms both fell off. was traveling and when i was making a left turn the right trailing arm broke off and instantly made the car almost swerve off the road. i continued home a block further and looked to see the damage. right side trailing arm completely detached and the left side barely hanging on. sent to hyu…”
2020-03-18 · Air Bags · 200,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.