Model year record

2002 Hyundai Elantra recalls & problems

The 2002 Hyundai Elantra has 6 safety recalls and 342 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (100 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints342filed by owners

Crashes · fires58 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths40 · 2reported in complaints

2002 Hyundai Elantra in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionApr 16, 2009

Front › Control arm

Recall 09V125000160,904 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE FRACTURING OF THE CONTROL ARM COULD AN OWNER'S CONTROL OVER THEIR VEHICLE THAT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsOct 14, 2008

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 08V533000150,541 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineJul 26, 2004

Storage

Recall 04V369000919 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineApr 9, 2004

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 04V178000263,968 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL SPILLAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicDec 3, 2003

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V4960001,993 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 22, 2003

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 03V257000312,292 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FLUID LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Hyundai Elantra 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Elantra

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Elantra

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront › Control arm; Front	100	5	1	1	92,909 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	72	36	3	30	70,250 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Foundation components	34	11	0	4	15,000 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members	30	1	0	1	72,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Fuel injection system	24	2	2	0	55,663 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Linkages	18	6	0	1	29,550 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights	18	0	0	0	66,963 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	17	2	0	0	68,977 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front	16	5	0	7	36,048 mi
Steering	16	1	0	0	94,829 mi
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery	14	0	0	0	70,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Engine › Gasoline	11	2	1	1	48,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE MOMENT I TRIED TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC STOP SIGN THE LOWER ARM CONTROL FROM THE DRIVER SIDE BROKE AND THE WHEEL BROKE AND THE CAR SLID. THANKS GOD IT WAS AT NIGHT AND NO CARS WERE THERE. I REMEMBER THE NIGHT BEFORE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED MY INSURANCE AND THEY SENT ME A TOWING TRUCK TO MOVE THE CAR. I DIDN'T REPAIR THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS A BIG MESS. I TOOK SOME PICTURES OF IT AND THE TOWING COMPANY GUY ALSO. I REMEMBER I WENT TO HYUNDAI DEALER AND I WAS LOOKING FOR A PART THEIR AND THEY TOOK MY VIN NUMBER TO CHECK FOR THE PART BUT NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL. CAN HYUNDAI COMPANY GIVE ME SOME MONEY BACK THAT I SPENT FOR…
Sep 3, 2019 · 248,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
WHEN PUMPING GAS I CAN ONLY PUMP ABOUT $1.50 WORTH OF GAS AT A TIME BEFORE IT STARTS COMING BACK OUT AND SPILLING EVERYWHERE. I HAVE TRIED PUMPING GAS WITH THE CAR ON, NOT SAFE I KNOW, AND IT STILL ONLY TAKES ABOUT $1.50 BEFORE IT COMES BACK OUT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MULTIPLE ELANTRA OWNERS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IT TAKES ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO FILL UP. THE MORE GAS YOU GET IN YOUR TANK, THE LESS YOU CAN PUMP. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ONLINE IT'S THAT THE EVAP CANISTOR HAS FAILED AND IT'S PUSHING CHARCOAL THRU THE FUEL LINES. WHAT IF THAT GETS INTO THE FUEL TANK AND THE PUMP SUCKS IT UP? DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD THING. BUT THE GAS THAT COMES OUT IS STARTING TO EAT AWAY THE…
Jan 29, 2020 · 237,242 miles
Air bags
MY 2002 HUYNDAI ELANTRA GLS SUDDENTLY THE AIRBAG IS ON SOON ENGINE RUNNING, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT THE AIRBAG DEFECTIVE AND IT IS UNDER A RECALL.
Nov 30, 2018 · 130,098 miles
Suspension
I HAVE NOTED A RECALL #09V125000 RELATED TO THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. MY RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM COLAPSED. IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. WITH THAT SIDE FIXED I TRAVELED ABOUT 3 MILES AND MY LEFT SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE. MY MECHANIC AND I WERE COMPLEXED, BUT AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND THIS PROBLEM EXIST AND RECALLS ISSUED. AFTER CONTACTING HYUNDA THEY SAID THIS VEHICLE VIN# WAS NOT COVERED. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SOMETHING IN THE RECORDS OF THIS CAR MUST BE IN ERROR.
Nov 5, 2018 · 45,000 miles
Suspension
REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER ROTTED OUT
Nov 2, 2017 · 233,122 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
IT IS HARD TO FILL THE GAS TANK UP. THE FUEL PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF AND YOU HAVE TO SLOWLY FILL THE GAS TANK UP. YOU HAVE TO HOLD THE PUMP TO EVEN GET GAS TO FILL THE TANK.
Mar 20, 2013
Structure › Body
THE WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTY.
May 1, 2017
Steering
ON OCTOBER 28TH, 2016 THE LOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT CONTROL ARM DISINTEGRATED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER ELANTRA IN A PARKING LOT. SHE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN TO LEAVE THE LOT WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AS IT MADE A "TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE." THE NEXT DAY I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND DISCOVERED THE CONTROL ARM WAS TORN IN TWO SECTIONS AND BADLY CORRODED. I WENT TO TWO HYUNDAI DEALERS TO TRACK DOWN A NEW PART. NEITHER DEALER MENTIONED THE FACT THAT THIS MODEL HYUNDAI HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR PRECISELY THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I LEARNED OF THIS PROBLEM I CONTACTED HYUNDAI MOTORS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO VEHICLES PURCHASED OR REGISTERED IN THE SO-CALLED "SALT BELT"…
Oct 28, 2016 · 126,650 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTINGClosedLed to recall 09V125000
ON APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI MOTOR CORPORATION SUBMITTED TO ODI A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT INDICATING THAT IT WOULD RECALL A SALT-BELT POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 155,317 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA VEHICLES TO REMEDY A DEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WITH AN INCREASED RISK OF A CRASH WHILE DRIVING (09V-125).THE AFFECTED VEHICLES COVER ALL MY 2001, MY 2002, AND MY 2003 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2003 PRODUCTION.THESE INCLUDE ELANTRA VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN.THE TOTAL THREE-YEAR PRODUCTION POPULATION FOR THE ELANTRA VEHICLES IS APPROXIMATELY 350,000. ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, ROAD SALT…
PE09011 · opened Feb 18, 2009 · closed Apr 21, 2009
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONClosedLed to recall 08V532000
HYUNDAI IS CONDUCTING TWO SAFETY RECALLS TO CORRECT TWO SAFETY DEFECTS DESCRIBED BELOW.UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-532, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL A VINYL PROTECTIVE SHIELD/COVER TO PREVENT SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CAUSE BY SPILLS OF LIQUIDS THAT SEEP INTO THE MODULE CONNECTOR. THIS ACTION APPLIES TO 78,369 MY 2001 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 4/26/2001).THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR IN MY 2001 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 4/26/2001 IS COVERED BY THE CARPET.TO IMPROVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS, HYUNDAI WILL INSTALL NEW CLIPS AND REVISE THE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER SAFETY RECALL 08V-533.THIS APPLIES TO 150,541 MY 2001 THROUGH MY 2002 VEHICLES (BUILT THROUGH 12/18/2001).HYUNDAI UPGRADED THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING/CONNECTOR CLIP ON MY 2002 VEHICLES BUILT AFTER 12/18/2001.HYUNDAI DESIGNED THE SUBJECT…
EA08012 · opened Jul 10, 2008 · closed Nov 14, 2008
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONClosed
IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION AND AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT OR INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT FROM LIQUID CONTAMINATION OF THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE.THE CONTROL MODULE IS LOCATED BENEATH AND NEAR CENTER CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS.ODI IS ALSO AWARE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION DUE TO LOSS OF PROPER AIR BAG ELECTRICAL INTEGRITY IN WIRING AND CONNECTIONS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT SEATS.UNDER INVESTIGATION PE08-017, HYUNDAI PROVIDED 472 OWNER REPORTS AND 9,108 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THESE ISSUES FOR MY 2001 AND 2002 VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 12/14/2001.ODI IS ALSO AWARE OF SIX INCIDENTS OF SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER/AIR BAG INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENTS DUE TO LIQUID SPILLS.TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE ISSUES, ON 04/25/2001, HYUNDAI ADDED A CARPET COVER/SHIELD OVER THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AREA AND UPGRADED…
PE08017 · opened Mar 10, 2008 · closed Jul 10, 2008