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
325 reports, newest first.
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
Suspension, Nov 6, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AT ANY SPEED, CAUSING BY THE UPPER BALL JOINT AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIME, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. 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
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Wheels, Oct 8, 2002
VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH FRONT VIBRATION. *MR THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN U-BOLT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE FROM FRONT END WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FRONT LEFT AXLE FAILURE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. BRAKES CONSTANTLY SQUEAK AND PULSATE, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *YH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 3, 2002
THE BRAKES MAKE AN EXTREMELY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND, MAINLY WHEN BREAKING. IT IS LOUD ENOUGH TO ATTRACT QUITE A BIT OF ATTENTION. IT SCARES PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO THE WARNING SOUND MADE BY WORN BRAKES. WE HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE GLAZED OUR BRAKES AND REPLACED OUR BRAKE PADS AND THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED. THEY ADVISED US THAT ALL HYUNDAIS DO THIS BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON THE CONTENT OF BRAKE PADS. I'VE ALSO CALLED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE AND THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED- THEY CAN'T BE SAFE. IT IS VERY STRESSFUL DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH BRAKES THAT SOUND LIKE THEY COULD QUIT AT ANY TIME. MR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 2, 2002
STILL DEALER DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE DEFECT ALTHOUGH THE CHANGE SOME OF THE PARTS ALREADY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NO SAFETYD EFECT LISTED. *AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE WOULD STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT CANT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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
Equipment, Jul 19, 2002
I HATE THIS CAR AND AM VERY MAD THAT I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A NEW CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 18, 2002
BRAKES SQUEAL VERY LOUD EVERY TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, DEALER CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
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
Seat belts, Jul 11, 2002
THE BUTTON ON THE SAFETY BELT LATCH IS LARGE AND RIGHT AT THE POSITION WHERE YOUR ELBOW RESTS BY YOUR SIDE, AND WHEN IT HITS THE LATCH, IT POPS OPEN THE LATCH. MANY TIMES ON THE ROAD, MY WIFE HAS ACCIDENTLY BEEN UNLATCHED FROM HER SAFETY BELT. IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT EASY TO OPEN THE LATCH. IF IT DOES IT WHEN YOU'RE JUST DRIVING ALONG, I'D BE AFRAID OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A PASSENGER WAS JARRED IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 11, 2002
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JG
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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
Visibility, Apr 11, 2002
WHENEVER WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE IN USE THEY FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES. MECHANIC FINALLY REPLACED WIPER MOTOR FROM NEW VEHICLE. THIS RESOLVED PROBLEM.*AK
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
Power train, Mar 12, 2002, crash
I WAS DRIVING AS THE AXEL BROKE, MY TIRE FEEL OFF ALONG WITH BRAKES CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A CURB. *AK
Electrical system, Mar 1, 2002
COMPUTER FAILED THREE TIMES. MECHANICS COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. FINALLY WAS REPLACED.*AK
Air bags, Nov 8, 2001, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON DRIVER'S DOOR. SPEED OF IMPACT WAS 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. $ 6000.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK
Air bags, Oct 11, 2001, crash
VEHICLE WAS HIT AT 65 MPH IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION . UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK