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.
Suspension, Sep 9, 2003
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY SHOOK. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE ELEVEN TIMES BY DOING AN ALIGNMENT AND CHANGING THE TIRES. CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 5, 2003
BRAKE PROBLEMS, CONSUMER DOESN'T EXACTLY THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Equipment, Sep 4, 2003
WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER SELECTOR WAS SET ON FLOOR, AIR BLEW ON THE FLOOR AND WINDSHIELD, CAUSING WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP, OBSTRUCTING DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER HAD INSPECTED VEHICLE SIX TIMES, AND DENIED THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. CONSUMER APPLIED FOR LEMON LAW.*AK
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 30, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES BRAKES WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 15, 2003
AFTER ABOUT 4,000 MILES THE ENGINE DEVELOPED A FLAT SPOT IN THE ENGINE RIGHT AT ABOUT 4000 RPM.IT IS ANNOYING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PASS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE TO RESET THE ECM ABOUT EVERY 1500-2000 MILES. AFTER I RESET THE ECM. THE FLAT SPOT,OR LAG, IS GONE FOR ABOUT 1500-2000 MILES. I HAVE HAD TO RESET IT ABOUT 5 TIMES SO FAR. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE BEEM ABLE TO LOCATE ,OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 26, 2003, crash
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE PARKED THE ENGINE REVVED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TT *JB
Suspension, Jun 23, 2003
THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END SHAKES AT SPEEDS OVER 65 MILES/HR AND THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN THE CAR. *NLM
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 5, 2003
AT LESS THAN 11,000 MILES, MY ELANTRA'S FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AND MACHINED. NEW BRAKE PADS WERE ALSO INSTALLED. NOW AT 22,000 THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN AND ARE TOO THIN TO MACHINE AGAIN. THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WE FEEL THESE ARE DEFECTED FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE OF THE ALLOY USED IN THESE ROTORS BEING POOR QUALITY. IF A DEALERSHIP HAS 40 ROTORS SETS IN STOCK, THERE MUST BE A HEAVY DEMAND FOR THESE. I AM IN PROCESS OF WORKING W/ HYUNDAI ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2003
CONSUMER IS HEARING A WHISTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ,AND HAD TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 27, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *NLM. *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
Suspension, Tires, Apr 22, 2003
THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS SHAKE ABOVE 65 MPH WHICH CAN ALSO BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I FEEL THE EXCESSIVE SHAKE COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Seats, Apr 21, 2003
WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AND BACKWARD SLIGHTLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS "NORMAL", BUT NONE OF MY PREVIOUS CARS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND, FRANKLY, IT MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE.*JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 15, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED AND FLEW OPEN. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM *TS
Fuel system, Gasoline, Seat belts, Tires, Wheels, Apr 3, 2003
THERE IS A TERRIBLE HOWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE RIM'S ON THE CAR ARE SO FLIMSY THAT I HAVE HAD TO RIMS BENT IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. THEY CAN NOT HANDLE NON PAVED ROADS. TH FRONT SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY CAUSING THE SEAL ON THE DOOR TO BE TORN WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT. THE GAS MILEAGE IS TERRIBLE. SUPPOSED TO BE UPWARDS OF 35+ MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AND I ONLY GET APPROXIMATELY 24 - 26 MPG. THE INSURANCE ON THIS VEHICLE IS RIDICULOUS!! YOU THINK THAT I HAD AN AUDI. THE COST OF THE INSURANCE IS THE SAME. I HAVE BROUGHT UP MY CONCERNS WITH THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO THINK THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HOWLING SINCE THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO DO IT WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING THE CAR. THE GAS MILEAGE THEY SAID WOULD IMPROVE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS BROKE IN AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES. WELL I AM PAST THE 20,000 AND THE MILEAGE HAS NOT IMPROVED. I AM NOT AT ALL HAPPY WITH THIS CAR. I WOULD GET RID OF IT IN A MINUTE IF I COULD GET OUT FROM UNDER THE PAYMENTS.
Power train, Apr 3, 2003
DEALER ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES TO FIX GEAR SHIFTING PROBLEMS. ENGINE REVS VERY HIGH BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS. SOMETIMED WON'T SHIFT AT ALL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON DURING PROBLEM BUT GOES AWAY BEFORE I CAN GET TO THE DEALER.
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
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2003
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE FASTER. *JB
Seat belts, Mar 10, 2003
THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY ONCE EXTENDED.*JB
Seats, Feb 25, 2003
THE DRIVER SEAT WAS LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. *JB SCC