2002 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 325 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 31 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 54 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchAug 7, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 82 MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATING. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN MORE THICKLY PLATED AREAS AS THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED. THE WORN CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE HANDLE MAY RESULT IN A CRACK OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE, WHICH MAY FORM A SHARP EDGE.
A SHARP EDGE COULD LACERATE OR OTHERWISE INJURE A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-787-999-3333.
Campaign 09V317000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchMay 21, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 91,350 MY 2002-2003 HYUNDAI SONATA VEHICLES. REPEATED USE OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE WEAR OF THE CHROME PLATE. IF THE TOP EDGE OF THE HANDLE HAS VERY THIN CHROME PLATING, THAT PORTION OF THE PLATING MAY WEAR AWAY MORE EASILY THAN MORE THICKLY PLATED AREAS AS THE DOOR HANDLE IS USED. THE WORN CHROME PLATING ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE HANDLE MAY RESULT IN A CRACK OR SEPARATION BETWEEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE INBOARD AND OUTBOARD SURFACES OF THE HANDLE, WHICH MAY FORM A SHARP EDGE.
THIS MAY INFLICT LACERATION INJURIES TO ANYONE USING THE DOOR HANDLE.
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V171000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionApr 16, 2009
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 188,282 MY 2001-2004 SONATA AND MY 2001-2004 XG300 AND XG350 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 APPLIED IN THESE JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT IN THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME STEEL. THE CORROSION IS FREQUENTLY VISIBLE AND OFTEN DISCOVERED DURING INSPECTION OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND OWNERS MAY ALSO HEAR NOISES OR NOTICE TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. IF THESE SIGNALS ARE UNDETECTED OR UNHEEDED, THE CORROSION MAY PROGRESS AND THE FORWARD MOUNTING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY DETACH FROM THE SUB-FRAME.
IF THAT HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE MAY LOSE DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS, AND THE FRONT WHEEL MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH THE FENDER OR WHEEL WELL, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MEASURE THE THICKNESS OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME AND INSPECT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW SUB-FRAME THAT INCORPORATES ADDITIONAL HOLES IN THE UPPER AND LOWER PANELS. IF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME DOES NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, THE DEALER WILL ADD DRAINAGE HOLES TO THE SUB-FRAME AND WILL TREAT THE SUB-FRAME WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO STOP THE CORROSION PROCESS. THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 09V124000 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
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireMar 17, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS), IF THE T125/70D-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON A FRONT WHEEL POSITION, THE TCS MAY INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATE BEGINNING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH.
INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE TCS WILL CAUSE AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE AT THE WHEEL WHERE THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED. INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE, AND MAY PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM BEING DRIVEN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 20 MPH, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WITH A NEW LARGER DIAMETER T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE AND A NEW TIRE PRESSURE LABEL WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRE. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2002 THROUGH DECEMBER 16 2002, ALREADY CONTAIN T125/80R-15 COMPACT SPARE TIRES, WILL ONLY REQUIRE NEW TIRE PRESSURE LABELS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V097000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowMay 24, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS MAY BE TOO SENSITIVE TO SOME LATERAL ACCELERATIONS THAT ARE NOT CAUSED BY SIDE IMPACTS TO THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS FORCEFULLY SLAMMING A DOOR CLOSED.
INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF A SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WHEN A SIDE IMPACT CRASH HAS NOT OCCURRED COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 02V145000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jun 11, 2005, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH IN WHICH THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SMASHED FROM THE LEFT FRONT FENDER SHOVING THE HOOD AND FRONT END SO FAR TO THE RIGHT AND IN THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I WAS INJURED BY THE DOOR POST. IT WAS A 2002 HUNDAI SONATA..WE ARE AFRAID THAT IT MAY BE A CHILD INVOLVED NEXT TIME THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE SIDE AND FRONT AIRBAGS ON THE SONATA..PLEASE BRING THIS TO SOMEONES ATTENTION TKS LRW
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jun 7, 2005, crash
DT: CALLER GOT INTO CAR, PULLED IT OUT OF GARAGE AND GOT OUT OF IT. WHEN SHE GOT BACK INTO VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN GEAR IT MADE A SCREAMING NOISE AND ACCELERATED. SHE HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK. SHE TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY GOING UP A HILL INSTEAD VEHICLE HIT A HOUSE THREE DOORS AWAY. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. INSURANCE CLAIMED THAT DEALER SAID THERE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
Air bags, Feb 22, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAGS AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Jan 10, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE SERVICE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V145000. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS MAY BE TOO SENSITIVE TO SOME LATERAL ACCELERATIONS THAT ARE NOT CAUSED BY SIDE IMPACTS TO THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS FORCEFULLY SLAMMING A DOOR CLOSED. *TC
Air bags, Dec 20, 2004, crash
MY HYUNDAY SONATA HAD AN ACCIDENT, HIITING A PARKED SUV AND THE SONATA WAS TOTALLED BUT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY (INFLATE). *AK
Air bags, Sep 23, 2004
THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPAIRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS *JB
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 2, 2004, crash
WE RECENTLTY PURCHASED A USED BUT SHOWROOM CONDITION HYUNDAI SONATA WITH SOMEWHERE AROUND 29,000 MILES ON IT FROM A DEALERSHIP. AFTER ABOUT THREE WEEKS MY SON HAD TO LEAVE IT IN A PARKING LOT. THE THROTTLE/CRUISE CONTROL CABLE (EVEN THO HE DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON) WAS STUCK. HE THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED SO HEDROVE THE CAR A FEW MORE WEEKS AND WAS ON HIS WAY HOME WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME HE RAN INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED PRETTY BADDLY BUT THANK THE LORD HE WAS NOT. HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE UTILITY COMPANY IS CHARGING US ABOUT $4000.00 OR MORE DOLLARS FOR THE WORK THEY HAD TO DO TO THE POLE. I CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THE CAR IS AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER AFFAIRS IS MAILING ME A FORM TO FILL OUT. I DO NOT KNOW IF HYUNDAI IS GOING TO CLAIM RESPONSIBLITY OR NOT. I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE/CRUISE CONTROL STICKING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP OR CAUSING ANY OTHER PROBLEM. I HATE TO SEE SOMEONE DIE FROM THIS.*AK
Air bags, Equipment, May 6, 2004, crash
DRIVING AT 25 - 30 MPH I WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER MID SIZE VEHICLE. I SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CONCERN IS THAT I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA WILL THOSE BAGS NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON? MY WIFE AND CHILD DRIVE THE 2003 . I AM VERY CONCERNED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WANT TO "REPAIR" MY VEHICLE THAT FAILED.
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Apr 8, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, INSTEAD THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. *AK THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN ALSO. *SC
Air bags, Nov 25, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONSUMER HAD THREE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, TWO OF WHICH WERE DISABLED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES IN THIS INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Air bags, Nov 5, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE DEPLOYMENT. *AK *SCC THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CONSUMERS ADDRESS TO NOTIFY HIM. *JB
Air bags, Jul 16, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AIR BAG LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD.*AK
Air bags, Jun 26, 2003, crash
VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR(S) - VEHICLE WAS ROTATED 180 DEGREES FROM THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. NECK AND BACK INJURIES. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Air bags, Mar 2, 2003, crash
IMPACT TO DRIVERS DOOR AND THE SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Air bags, Feb 21, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Air bags, Nov 20, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVER SIDE, BETWEEN DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, SIDE AIR BAG ON DRIVER SIDE DID NOT. DRIVER HIT HIS HEAD ON WINDOW. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. TS
Air bags, Oct 28, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER CLOSING DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT, A FEW SECONDS LATER THE ENTIRE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THEIR IS A RECALL FOR THIS, BUT DOESN'T STATE IT CAN CAUSE A FIRE PER CONSUMER. TS
Air bags, Aug 28, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON FRONT LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE, ANDAIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Air bags, Aug 6, 2002
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V145 AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REPAIRS, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE WAS A MONTH LATER, THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS TO BE DONE . *SLC
Air bags, Aug 6, 2002
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION 02VA45 TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. HOWEVER, WHEN RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS WAS REROUTED. WHEN QUESTIONED BY CONSUMER, DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER RECALL TO BE PERFORMED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. CONSUMER IS APPALLED THAT THE 2ND RECALL WAS NEVER RECEIVED. RECAL#02V145000 *TT *SCC
Air bags, Jul 30, 2002
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT AND INJURED THE CONSUMER?S DAUGHTER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING A SIDE IMPACT SENSOR WHICH CAUSED DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS WITHOUT PROVOCATION. *YH
Air bags, Jul 15, 2002
DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE PARTS FOR RECALL 02V145000 REPAIRS CONCERNING AIR BAG SENSOR, AND DOESN'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE.*AK
Air bags, Jun 21, 2002, crash
IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED,CASUING MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER.*AK *YH
Air bags, Mar 29, 2002
WAS DRIVING 45MPH WHEN DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER A SLIGHT SWERVE. NO INJURIES. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CAME OUT OF THE SEAT ON DRIVER LEFT SIDE AND TORE THE SEAT AND OPEN. *YH
Air bags, Mar 18, 2002, crash
WHILE AT A STOP ANOTHER DRIVER HIT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40 TO 45 MPH, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK