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2002 Hyundai Elantra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 342 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, most often about the suspension (28% of complaints, typically around 93,000 miles). It is 7th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2002 Hyundai Elantra problems
Suspension
95 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Left (driver's side) front control arm failure on 4/16/09. Vehicle was purchased new in june of 2002. Currently has approximately 93,000 miles. All routine maintenance has been performed on vehicle (I.e., oil changes, 30k service, 60k service, 90k service). Control arm failed while traveling on interstate highway at a…
I own a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. While driving in a neighborhood my daughter hit her brakes to avoid a dog. Upon braking the left lower control arm of the vehicles suspension broke and as a result the left front tire was thrown into the back of the wheel well. If this had happened on the highway my daughter would have…
Air bags
70 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
2002 Hyundai Elantra,4dr. No passenger, driver of Elantra crossed intersection & did not see car coming to right of him, plymouth mini-van hit side of Elantra traveling between 40 & 45 MPH, impacted Elantra at the passenger side rear of front door and front of rear door, direct side hit,Elantra rolled onto its top…
I was rear-ended at high speed and struck the car to my front with significant impact. My car is a total loss. My front end is crumpled in half, bumper completely torn off as well. My airbag did not deploy. Officers at the scene and other credible sources suggest it should definitely deployed based on the damage. I…
Brakes
34 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, pedals and linkages, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
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.
Brakes engage unevenly causing the rear end of car to swing to the left on snow or slippery conditions. This causes lost of control. Dealer looked at car during servicing and said they could find no problems with brakes.
Fuel system
31 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. The contact was putting gas into the vehicle when the fuel shut off as if the vehicle was full with fuel, although the tank was not full. In addition, the gasoline would intermittently spill back out from the filler tube. The contact was informed by three different dealers…
My Elantra's issue is with the gas tank getting over-filled at the gas pump due to a system failure that allows the pump to fill the car until the gas reaches the fuel spigot and then shutting off. Not only does this result in gasoline pouring out of the filler cap, but it also floods the entire gas tank evaporation…
Body and structure
27 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Received recall notice 1 week ago from Hyundai..on thursday night while driving home from work wheel "broke" off left front passenger side.. Called a Hyundai dealership on fri. Morn and arranged a tow..vehicle arrived at dealership, dealership refused to take vehicle as there is a 4 week backorder. Called a second…
Something hit car over driverside windshield and door during transport. Insurance totaled. Airbag light already on. Before settling with insurance co, bought tag and insurance. Bought car back from ins co. Drove until tag expired.can"t get salvage title until airbag light is fixed. Took it to Hyundai dealership in…
Lights
19 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Headlights on my vehicle keep burning out to rapidly. This will be the 4th time I have replaced them so far. I have used Hyundai bulbs to very expensive bulbs and the result is the same and the driver side bulb is very difficult to change.
: the contact stated upon inspection of the vehicle it was noticed the headlights were cloudy. The dealership determined this was not a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer was alerted.
Speed control
18 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 29,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages, cables.
Dt: consumer's mother drove this vehicle. On 5 separate occasions, the vehicle accelerated on its own. One incident was in a store parking lot, the consumer had the vehicle in reverse and it revved up like a jet engine, and did 2 1/2 circles. The vehicle was turned off to stop it.
While at a complete stop, the vehicle lurched forward. The dealer replaced the throttle piston twice, but the problem continued.
Transmission
17 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, axle assembly.
: the contact stated when recall work was performed on the manifold, the dealership determined the timing chain and transmission fluid needed to be changed soon. Four days after the repair work, the vehicle was going 25 MPH and the transmission would not respond. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road, smoke came…
Clutch failure I purchased the car new and at 42,196 miles the clutch went out, dealer claims normal wear. The car now has 73,026 miles and again the clutch needed replaced. This started when the replaced clutch had less then 29,000 miles on it. Again they claim normal wear. The clutch pedal has no pressure when…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Hyundai Elantra recalls
Suspension: control arm
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, 20
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: storage
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.
Full defect summary
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 system: tank assembly
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the brake tubes for the rear brakes can contact the steering gearbox mounting brackets.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front lower control arms rusting
Summary
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,
Air bag light illumination
Summary
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 150,54
Air bag light illumination
Summary
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 pretensi
Questions about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (95 complaints, typically around 93,000 miles); air bags (70 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles); brakes (34 complaints, typically around 16,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 16, 2009 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Hyundai Elantra?
- It is 7th of 27 Elantra model years by number of complaints, with 342 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.