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, Feb 21, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Visibility, Jan 23, 2003
HERE IS A LOUD HOWLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAUSE BY THE MOLD ON THE WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP REPLACED MOLD, BUT HOWLING NOISE STILL EXIST. TS
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 23, 2003
VEHICLE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY SQUEAL, WHEN THEY ARE DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE PADS ARE NOT WORN PER THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, CAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAUSE OF THE SQUEALING NOISE IS UNKNOWN. TS
Power train, Jan 1, 2003
THE CAR HESITATES TO GO INTO SECOND GEAR AND REVS REALLY HIGH IN ORDER TO GO INTO THIRD GEAR.THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT TWICE FROM THE DEALER IN WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY RESET A CODE THE FIRST TIME BUT IT FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME IT WASN'T ABLE TO BE RESET.BUT THE MECHANIC FINDS NO PROBLEMS.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 10, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THERE WAS A OIL SMELLL COMING INSIDE OF THE VENTS PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 9, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE VEHCILE WILL STALL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL STALLS OUT. CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN. TS
Vehicle speed control, Dec 4, 2002
WHEN AT A STAND STILL AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SURGED FORWARD. TS
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
Seats, Oct 30, 2002, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK HAD RECLINED BACKWARDS UPON IMPACT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE DRIVER SUSTAINING NECK AND BACK INJURIES. TS SCC
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 7, 2002
NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKES, PEDAL DESCENDS TO THE FIREWALL. DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETECT CAUSE AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS. THESE BRAKES ARE HYDRAULIC, NO ABS. THEY HAVE BEEN BLED TO SEE IF THAT WOULD INCREASE THE PRESSURE. *AK CONSUMER SAYS THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, IT FEELS LIKE YOUR PUSHING ON A SPONGE WITH AIR IN THE SYSTEM. *SCC
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
Seat belts, Jul 22, 2002
WHILE DRIVING SEATBELT LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE UNTIL UNLOCKING THE SEATBELT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, REPAIRED AND REPLACED IT. *AK
Interior lighting, Jul 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, COULD NOT NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.*AK
Visibility, Jun 25, 2002
SUN ROOF LEAKS, ADVISOR SAY BUILT THAT WAY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 13, 2002
5/08/02, 5/29/02: BURNING OIL. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE BUT IT ALSO HAS A PROBLEM! STILL WAITING TO GET MY NEW CAR BACK WHICH I EXPECTED TO BE TROUBLE-FREE FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST FEW YEARS!*AK
Exterior lighting, May 14, 2002
WHILE DRIVING IN A THUNDER STORM INTERIOR AND DIMMER HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME. THERE WAS NO WARNING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, May 9, 2002
BRAKE/GAS PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE, CAUSING DRIVER TO PUSH GAS/BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME.*AK *MJ
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
Visibility, Mar 15, 2002
CONSUMER CAN'T GET WINDOWS OPEN IF POWER IS OFF. VEHICLE HAS ALL POWER WITH NO MANUAL CRANK. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOORS ARE PINNED SHUT, THERE'S NO WAY TO GET OUT. VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE MANUAL CRANK ON BOTH DOORS FOR EMERGENCY ESCAPE. *JG
Power train, Dec 7, 2001
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE OFTEN GETS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND REVS EXCESSIVELY AS IF GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY SHIFTING OUT OF 1ST GEAR. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE TWICE. THIRD TIME DEALER INDICATED THAT A PROGRAM HAD TO BE ESTABLISHED IN ORDER TO FIX VEHICLE. *AK *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 20, 2001, crash
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A PANIC STOP PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
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