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
348 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Jan 31, 2005
CONSUMER INQUIRY REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT ANY RESEARCH HAS BEEN DONE ON THE AIR BAG FAILURE IN THE 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *NM
Air bags, Jan 28, 2005, crash
HEAD ON COLLISION, DRIVERS SIDE, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR ALL SUSTAINED INJURIES, DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL....DAMAGE TO THE CAR FROM THIS ACCIDENT IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.......MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS WHY DIDN'T MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY?*AK
Air bags, Jan 27, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MAJOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 8, 2004
WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE RPMS TEMPORALLY RACED AT A HIGH RATE. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *TC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 8, 2004
WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WAS SO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR THAT CONSUMER PRESSED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK THE ENGINE WOULD EXCEED THE BRAKING POWER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPEED UP INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES HARDER WITH THE VEHICLE SPEEDING UP EVEN MORE. *SC THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. *JB
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2004
THE CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED 2 MAJOR RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST FOR THE ECM (V02) AND THE SECOND FOR THE FUEL VALVE (O66). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NM *SC
Suspension, Nov 4, 2004
WENT TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT, FRONT BALL JOINT AND ARM WERE LOOSE. CONSEQUENTLY, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CAR WAS UNBALANCED THE TREADS ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE BALD - SO OI HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ALSO. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND ONE GOOD POTHOLE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE BALL JOINT AND ARM TO BREAK OFF. THE MOST DISTURBING THING ABOUT THIS WAS THAT I DETECTED NO CHANGE IN THE HANDLING OF THE CAR. NO NEW NOISES. NO INDICATION AT ALL THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 16, 2004
BRAKES ENGAGE UNEVENLY CAUSING THE REAR END OF CAR TO SWING TO THE LEFT ON SNOW OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THIS CAUSES LOST OF CONTROL. DEALER LOOKED AT CAR DURING SERVICING AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. *JB
Air bags, Oct 7, 2004, crash
WHEN REAR ENDED 40 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Suspension, Sep 28, 2004
WHEN BRAKING CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED MANY COMPONENT ATTEMPTING TO ALLEVIATE THE NOISE. THE LAST REPAIRS INCLUDED THE DEALER REPLACING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AT 13250 MILES. *NM
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2004
LTR REQUEST INFO RE ANY RECALLS AND ACCIDENTS ON THE 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. *MR *NM
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Sep 14, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SEVERELY PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *MR THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE, THE TIRE IN THE RIGHT REAR HAD WORN, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREADS WERE GONE (NOT WEARING EVENLY), THE BELTS SQUEALED, THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WOULD CAUSE THE FRONT TO SPIN, BUT NOT IN THE REAR, WHEN THE A/C WAS ON HIGH, THE LOUD NOISE WOULD BE EXHIBITED IN THE FRONT, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE A/C WAS ON. *SC *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Sep 8, 2004, crash, fire
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE ACCIDENT WAS DUE TO RECALL (04V178000) REGARDING THE FUEL TANK. *JB
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 31, 2004, crash
MVA 7/27/04 PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT TO MY CAR DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Seat belts, Aug 7, 2004, crash
SEAT BELT FAILURE. *AK
Electrical system, Aug 7, 2004
BROUGHT 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA-JULY OF 2002-IN A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER LOSING 3 DAYS OF WORK DUE TO MY CAR STALLING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO START I WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS BAD, THEY PUT IN NEW BATTERY-IN A LITTLE LESS THAN A YEAR CAR DIE I WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS SHOT, THERE WAS A LOT OF WHITE BATTERY ACID ALL OVER THE BATTERY POST AND CABLES, AND WAS TOLD MY BATTERY CABLES WERE CORODED AND FRIED THE LENGTH OF THE CABLES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THEY ONLY HAD 1 CABLE IN STOCK, WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE TECH WHY NO CABLES IN STOCK HE SAID THEY DO ABOUT 5 OF THESE A DAY BECAUSE THE BATTERYS ARE THAT BAD. *AK
Exterior lighting, Aug 4, 2004
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GT AT LEAST 4 TIMES (THIS WILL BE THE 5TH) AS THEY CONTINUE TO BURN OUT ON A REGULAR BASIS. IN COMPARISON TO OLDER CARS THAT I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED, I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE LAMPS WITH SUCH FREQUENCY. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 29, 2004
WHEN I STARTED MY CAR THE ENGINE WAS REVVING SUPER HIGH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME. ITS HAPPENED SINCE APRIL 2004 PURCHASE DATE. I ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURED. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN I SHIFTED OUT OF "PARK"*AK
Air bags, Jul 22, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, HOWEVER THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED HEAD ON WITH SEVERAL TREES. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *JB
Suspension, Tires, Jul 12, 2004
A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR I BEGAN TO HEAR A VERY ANNOYING "HOWL" COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE CAR. SOON AFTER THE CAR WOULD VIBRATE AFTER ACCELERATING TO A CERTAIN POINT. I FINALLY COULDN'T STAND DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE NOISE SO I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED AND SAID THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BEARINGS IN THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. FOR A WHILE, IT WAS FINE BUT NOW IT'S STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN A YEAR LATER IN THE SAME LOCATION IT SEEMS LIKE. I ONLY HAVE 38,000 MILES ON THIS CAR. I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD HAVE RECURRING PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. ALSO, RECENTLY I'VE NOTICED THAT IT IS JUMPING INTO GEARS RATHER THAN MAKING A SMOOTH TRANSITION LIKE IT USED TO. *LA
Child seat, Jul 6, 2004
COMPLAINT REGARDING THE TETHER LOCKS ATTACHED TO THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR THAT HOLDS THE CAR SEAT.*MR WHILE TAKING A TURN, CONSUMER'S SON FELL OFF FROM CAR SEAT. UPON INSPECTION OF CONSUMER, IT WAS FOUND THAT TETHER LOCK WHICH HOLD CAR SEAT HAD BROKEN. *LA
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Jun 30, 2004, crash, fire
ON THE EVENING OF 6/27, MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THERE WERE THREE OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND MY SON VEERED OFF TO THE RIGHT (IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID HITTING THE DEER), RAN OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, AND INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL OVER, BUT IT CAME TO REST ON IT'S RIGHT SIDE. THE TWO FRONT AND TWO SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A FIRE IGNITED (ALMOST IMMEDIATELY) IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA OF THE VEHICLE. ALL PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, AND THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD, ALL WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT BECAME THOROUGHLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.THIS IS RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY RECALL 04V178000*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 4, 2004
THE WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE FRONT DOORS ARE LOSING THE SEAL AROUND BOTH DOORS. CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT CARBON MONOXIDE MAY SEEP INTO THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 29, 2004
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECAL 03V496000 CONCERNING BRAKE WEAR/CORROSION: CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT RECALL REPAIRS. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE, BUT THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.*AK *NM
Exterior lighting, Apr 27, 2004
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR KEEP FAILING WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM DRIVING SAFELY OR DRIVING AT ALL. AS OF THIS DATE THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES NOW; TWICE ON EACH SIDE WITH THE LATEST OCCURRING THIS PAST WEEK. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP (ROWE, 207-854-2555) THAT HAS BEEN REPLACING THE LAMPS AND ASKED FOR AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP FAILING. THEY SAID THEY DIDNT KNOW BUT INSINUATED THE LAMPS WERE CHEAP . HE THEN STATED THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE BULBS AT NO COST UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SITUATION. IF THE REAL PROBLEM IS AS SIMPLE AS THE LAMPS BEING DEFECTIVE OR CHEAP THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A QUALITY PRODUCT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.*AK