2002 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 348 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 58 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 40 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, control armApr 16, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 160,904 MY 2001-2003 ELANTRA AND MY 2003 TIBURON VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT USED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN THESE JURISDICTIONS MAY RESULT IN INTERNAL CORROSION AND THINNING OF THE STEEL IN THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS TO THE POINT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM'S UPPER AND LOWER PANELS BECOME PERFORATED. A PERFORATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY FRACTURE BETWEEN ITS BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT AND THE FORWARD AND REARWARD PIVOT ATTACHMENTS TO THE CHASSIS.
THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS FOR CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS INCORPORATING ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND WILL TREAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIALS TO ARREST THE INTERNAL CORROSION PROCESS. THESE PROCEDURES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V125000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveOct 14, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT, MAY RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE THAT WOULD CAUSE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION.
THIS CONDITION ONLY RELATES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS AND MAY PREVENT SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A CRASH WHERE SUCH DEPLOYMENT SHOULD OCCUR. NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE SRS AIR BAGS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER UNDER CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SEATS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2008, AND WILL BE SENT OUT IN SIX MAILINGS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V533000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageJul 26, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY" A VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE ROLLS OVER AND THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI DE PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
Campaign 04V369000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyApr 9, 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. IF A VEHICLE WITH A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY CLOSED WERE TO ROLL OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.
FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 04V178000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 3, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY RESULT IN REAR BRAKE TUBE WEAR AND CORROSION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE REAR BRAKE TUBES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V496000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJul 22, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER. TWO STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE CROSSMEMBER. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), THE REAR BRAKE TUBES COULD CONTACT BOTH STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS. ON VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES MAY CONTACT ONLY THE LEFT MOUNTING BRACKET. CONTACT BETWEEN THE REAR BRAKE TUBES AND THE STEERING BRACKETS COULD CAUSE WEAR AND CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.
FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE REAR BRAKE TUBES SO THEY DO NOT CONTACT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS, INSTALL BRAKE TUBE CLIPS TO CONTROL THE LOCATION OF THE REAR BRAKE TUBES, AND APPLY ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL TO THE TUBES IN THE AREAS WHERE CONTACT WITH THE MOUNTING BRACKETS MAY HAVE OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V257000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
71 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 21, 2004, crash
CAR INVOLVED IN A COLLISON, AIR BAGS FAILED TO OPEN, DRIVER INJURED, CAR STRUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE, CAR WAS A TOTAL LOST. *JB
Air bags, Mar 12, 2004, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
Air bags, Feb 26, 2004
THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN MY 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT DOES NOT WORK. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS BECAUSE THE MODULE GOT WET DUE TO COFFEE BEING SPILLED ONTO IT. THE SENSOR SITS SOMEWHERE UNDER THE CUP HOLDER. LIQUID CAN GET INTO IT VIA THE GEAR SELECTOR. DEALER SAYS THIS IS OWNER ABUSE AND WANTS $1200 TO REPAIR. TO ME, THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE EXPECTED THAT SOME LIQUID MAY SPILL FROM A CUP IN THE CUP HOLDER. EVEN IF WE REPLACE THE MODULE, SINCE IT IS NOT SEALED, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT SOMETHING WON'T SPILL ON IT IN THE FUTURE.*AK ABL.PCO
Steering, Air bags, Jan 29, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH AND GOING DOWN AND A CURB THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RESPOND AND REMAINED IN THE SAME POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER INTO ONCOMING TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER, UNDER PUERTO RICAN LAW, VEHICLE WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE BANK IF DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Jan 12, 2004
SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, I FILED A COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE 10049365. I HAVE SEEN NO RESPONSES OF ANY TYPE. NOW TO TAKE THAT COMPLAINT A STEP FURTHER. MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WITH THIS HYUNDAI DEATH TRAP,AND THE UNWILLINGNESS OF HMA TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEMS ,OR THE DEALERS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THIS WEB SITE. AS I MENTIONED IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, I WENT THROUGH THE LEMON LAW PROCESS IN MY STATE. THEY REQUIRE ARBITRATION WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE. THE ARBITRATION WAS A JOKE AND THE HMA REPRESENTATIVE ACCUSED MY WIFE OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE AND PUT ALL OF THE CAR WOES ON HER. SHE DRIVES THE CAR FOR WORK, MOSTLY HIGHWAY. ALSO, THE ARBITRATOR ACCUSED US OF HAVING A TOW HITCH ON THE CAR, WHICH IS LEGAL, BUT NOT RECOMMENDED. WELL, WE HAVE NO TRAILER OR HITCH. THE BBB AUTOLINE IS RIGGED AGAINST THE CONSUMER AND THEY SHOULD NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY STATE OR FEDERAL LAWS WHATSOEVER. HYUNDAIS OF THIS MODEL ARE CERTAIN DEATH TRAPS AND I FEEL THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD ORDER HMA TO REPAIR EVERYONE OF THEM NOW. THE CONSUMER IS STUCK BETWEEN A GLOBAL CONGLOMERATE AND LOCAL DEALERS WHO WILL NOT REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *LA
Air bags, Dec 22, 2003, crash
WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 TO 40 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND SLAMMED HEAD ON INTO A STREET POLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THEN, AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHORTLY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Dec 7, 2003
FROM DAY OF PURCHASE, I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING, STARTING ABOUT 42 MPH. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES. VIBRATION THEN STARTED ABOUT 50 MPH, BACK TO THE DEALER ROTATED AND BALANCED TIRES AGAIN ALONG WITH ALIGNMENT. VIBRATION ABOUT 58 MPH BACK TO DEALER AGAIN, ROTATION, FORCED BALANCING, ROTOR TURNED DOWN, STILL HAD VIBRATION. FILED UNDER LEMON LAW, FINAL ATTEMPT BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT INVOLVED HMA REGIONAL CHIEF MECHANIC TROUBLE SHOOTER. HE CLAIMED THEY LOOSENED MOTOR MOUNTS AND LET ENGINE CENTER ITSELF, CHANGED TIRES, BALANCED AND ALIGNED AGAIN. AFTER A WEEK I PICKED UP CAR WHICH HE SAID WAS FINE. VIBRATION STILL NOTICEABLE. GAVE UP ON HMA AND DROVE CAR ABOUT 20,000 MORE MILES TILL VIBRATION GOT SO BAD I HAD TO GO TO A BRAKE SHOP BECAUSE IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THEY CHANGED PADS, ADJUSTED BRAKES AND REBUILT RIGHT FRONT CALIPER. NO MORE VIBRATION. HYUNDAI WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIR, SO FOLLOWING THRU WITH LEMON LAW AND HOPING TO GET OUT OF THIS DEATH TRAP. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SOME DAYS, AND STAYS ON ALL DAY, SOME DAYS IT'S NOT ON. DO THE AIR BAGS WORK. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PAINT FINISH, DOOR SEALS AND SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. REAL PIECE OF JUNK AND I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANY ONE. ALSO HAD TO HAVE BRAKE DUST REMOVED FROM REAR BRAKES AT ABOUT 7000 MILES AND THE DEALER CHARGED ME 60.00$ EXCESSIVE DUST ACCUMULATION IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND AT THE LEAST SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY HYUNDAI. *LA ABL.PCO
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 6, 2003, crash
ON BOARD COMPUTER FAILED TO DEPLOY AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD DURING AN ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY TO MY NECK AND BACK. *LA
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 2, 2003, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WHEN SHE HIT SOMEONE FROM BEHIND. ALL OF THE INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT WERE MINOR, BUT THE REAR SEATBELT BECAME A MAJOR CONCERN. OUR GRANDSON, WHO IS ALMOST 2 YEARS OLD, WAS IN HIS CARSEAT IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. HIS SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD HIS SEAT. HE AND THE CARSEAT WERE THROWN FORWARD AGAINST THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEAT. HE HAD SOME BRUISING ON HIS KNEE AND STRUGGLED TO WALK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE EXTENT OF HIS INBJURIES. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS HAD BEEN A MORE SERIOUS CRASH. I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL DEALER, HUNTERS CHEVROLET, AND THEY GAVE ME SOME CRAP ABOUT SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. IT ALL DEPENDED ON THE AMOUNT OF ENERTIA THE CAR SEAT GENERATED WHEN IT FLEW FORWARD. THIS DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT OR SAFE TO ME. ALSO, I AM INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHY THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Sep 1, 2003, crash
BRAKES LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 FT. AT BELOW SPEED LIMIT CAUSING REAR END COLLISION. CAR BUMPER WAS PUNCTURED BY TAIL PIPE OF VEHICLE IN FRONT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
Air bags, Jun 19, 2003, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A SEVERE SIDE COLLISION, BUT THE SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY ON IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, May 13, 2003, crash
VEHICLE "SURGES" TO VERY HIGH RPM WITHOUT WARNING. HAS BEEN TO DEALER X3 FOR REPAIR/ADJUSTMENT. LAST TIME AT DEALERSHIP 04-10-03 THE THROTTLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. )N 05-02-03 "SURGING" OCCURRED AGAIN, CAUSING CRASH. ALSO VEHICLE PULLED VIOLENTLY TO RIGHT AFTER BRAKES WERE APPLIED, CAR SKIDDED PRIOR TO IMPACT EVEN WITH ABS BRAKES. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. CRASH SPEED EST. AT 25-30 MPH. *JB
Air bags, May 12, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
Air bags, Mar 31, 2003, crash
FRONTAL AIR BAG FAILURE. MR *JB
Air bags, Mar 27, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM *NLM
Air bags, Feb 21, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Air bags, Nov 5, 2002, crash
AIR BAGS ACTIVATED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VISIBILITY AND VEHICLE. *JB ABL.PCO ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****769299
Air bags, Sep 9, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH CAR ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES AND OFF A CLIFF 40FEET, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Air bags, Aug 5, 2002, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO COLLISION ACCIDENT. FIRST IMPACT STRUCK THE VEHICLE SIDEWAYS, NEXT IMPACT WAS HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DUAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO EXTENT OF DAMAGE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Air bags, Apr 9, 2002, crash
WHILE AT A STOP, VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVERS SIDE FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 25- 30 MILES PER HOUR. UPON IMPACT NONE OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED DEPLOYMENT. CONSUMER SUFFERED LOWER BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. DRIVERS WINDOW SHATTERED. *JG
Air bags, Nov 20, 2001, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 70MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK