2002 Hyundai SONATA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
319 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
89,727 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 225 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 53 of 319 complaints (16.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 36 | 11.3% |
| Steering behavior | 30 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 20 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 53 |
| Suspension | 50 |
| Air Bags | 23 |
| Steering | 19 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Structure:Body | 14 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 13 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 53; Suspension: 50; Air Bags: 23; Steering: 19; Electrical System: 17; Structure:Body: 14; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 35 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 40 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 54 |
| 150,000 and above | 44 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 35; 75,000 to 99,999: 40; 100,000 to 149,999: 54; 150,000 and above: 44
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (54). 94 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 26 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 39 |
| 2009 | 32 |
| 2010 | 27 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2001: 2; 2002: 26; 2003: 16; 2004: 20; 2005: 22; 2006: 19; 2007: 11; 2008: 39; 2009: 32; 2010: 27; 2011: 11; 2012: 13; 2013: 19; 2014: 17; 2015: 9; 2016: 14; 2017: 6; 2018: 6; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10016836 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
ON COLD MORNINGS WHERE THE TEMPERATURE WOULD DROP BELOW 30, I WAS EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF BRAKE ABILITY. THIS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN THE FIRST TIME I DROVE THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND ALWAYS ON THE SECOND OR THIRD TAP OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WENT TO MY DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2002 AND THEY DRAINED THE BRAKE LINE AND TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED. IT WAS NOT AND I HAD TO GO BACK. THIS LAST TIME I COULD NOT STOP IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO ROLL THRU A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD ACTUALLY FREEZE UP OR LOCK IN THE "UP" POSITION IN THE CAR, THEREFORE N…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,918 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040724 · 2003-09-26 (September 26, 2003)
WHEN MOVING CONSUMER FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL IT WOULD PULSATE. DRIVER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126336 · 2005-06-23 (June 23, 2005)
POWER STEERING LOSS DURING OPERATION CAUSED BY POWER STEERING LINE FAILUE. POWER STEERING LINE FAILED DUE TO OXIDATION. OXIDATION WAS CAUSED BY DESIGN FLAW THAT TRAPS WATER DRAINING FROM AIRCONDITIONER EVAPORATOR IN RUBBER TUBE DESIGNED TO PROTECT POWER STEERING LINE FROM ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126336 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159168 · 2006-06-07 (June 7, 2006)
POWER STEERING LINE RUSTED OUT AND BLEW. UNDER A PROTECTIVE RUBBER SLEEVE. IT BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 71,955 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041491 · 2003-10-08 (October 8, 2003)
I HAVE A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN APRIL OF 2002. AS OF MARCH OF THIS YEAR AT 27,700 MILES, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT 5 SEPARATE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT SHOWED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. WITHIN THE NEXT 100 MILES IT WAS ON AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS AN EVAP CODE AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP SEAL SO THEY TIGHTENED IT. WITHIN ANOTHER 100 MILES IT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR. IT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS (AND AROUND 9,000 MILES) AND THIS TIME IT WAS THE EVAP CODE AGAIN AND THEY SAID THAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 27,727 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140914 · 2005-10-27 (October 27, 2005)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL GAS TANK THE PUMP CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF AFTER PUMPING ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE. WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM FILLING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE MADE NO ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR ATTEMPTED TO FILL THE VEHICLE AT SEVERAL SERVICE STATIONS WITH THE SAME RESULTS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 47,560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014352 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
RIGHT FRONT SPEAKER POPS ON AND OFF AT A STOP OR MOVING. WHEN YOU USE THE AC BUTTON, WINDSHIELD WIPER, WINDOWS, AND TURN SIGNALS THE SPEAKER EITHER SHUTS OFF OR TURNS ON. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE SPEAKER TWICE AND THE WIRING AND WIRING HARNESSES WERE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP WITH AND WITHOUT REPAIRS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AT LEAST 12 TIMES. THE PROBLEM STARTED THE FIRST NIGHT WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN OCTOBER OF 2001. THE CAR HAS HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS, BATTERY, AND REMOTE DOOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034222 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE.*AK HOUSER DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE AND CONFIGURATION. ANOTHER DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND DRIVE BELT. ALL WORK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052792 · 2004-01-10 (January 10, 2004)
I PURCHASED A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT. TO DATE WE HAVE HAD THE O2 SENSORS REPLACED DUE TO NUMEROUS CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS. WE HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, THE CLUTCH DEPRESSION SWITCH AFTER HAVING THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE SWITCH FAILED TO WORK CONSISTENTLY PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. AFTER HAVING THE SWITCH REPLACED, THE VERY NEXT DAY I SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL WHICH THEN CAUSED MY HEADLIGHTS TO DIM THE HEATER FAN/MOTOR TO DROP IN SPEED AND T…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095952 · 2004-10-18 (October 18, 2004)
I REPLACED MY TIRES WITH THE CORRECT TYPE CALLED FOR MY CAR, 205/65R15 H94 BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A AND NOW I KEEP GETTING FLAT TIRES FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED HUD CAPS SHIFTING ON MY WEEHLS AND PRESSING ON THE VALVE STEM. SO FAR THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT I AM AFFRAID OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I AM AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND IT HAPPENES. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES, BUT HOW SO IF THEY ARE THE CORRECT TIRES FOR MY CAR. THE DEALER WILL JNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT ALL!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109239 · 2005-01-31 (January 31, 2005)
VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE TIMING BELT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10109239 at NHTSA ↗