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Model Year Problem Record

Hyundai Sonata 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

320Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
7Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
13Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
59Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Vehicle Structure88 complaints

88 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension67 complaints

67 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 09V124000.

Air Bags53 complaints

53 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V145000.

Fuel and Propulsion System26 complaints

26 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V178000, 04V369000.

Brakes26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires10 complaints

10 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V097000.

Latches, Locks and Linkages9 complaints

9 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 09V171000, 09V317000.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V145000Reported May 24, 2002 - 43,162 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 24, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 43,162 vehicles across all affected models.

03V097000Reported March 17, 2003 - 8,315 vehicles potentially affected

Tires. Recall covering the tires system, reported to NHTSA on March 17, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 8,315 vehicles across all affected models.

04V178000Reported April 9, 2004 - 263,968 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 9, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 263,968 vehicles across all affected models.

04V369000Reported July 26, 2004 - 919 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on July 26, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 919 vehicles across all affected models.

09V124000Reported April 16, 2009 - 188,282 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on April 16, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 188,282 vehicles across all affected models.

09V171000Reported May 21, 2009 - 91,350 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on May 21, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 91,350 vehicles across all affected models.

09V317000Reported August 7, 2009 - 82 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on August 7, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 82 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

EA08016Opened August 21, 2008 - Closed April 20, 2009

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. Resulted in recall campaign 09V124000.

PE05059Opened November 7, 2005 - Closed May 11, 2006

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05059Opened November 7, 2005 - Closed May 11, 2006

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE05059Opened November 7, 2005 - Closed May 11, 2006

TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08029Opened April 22, 2008 - Closed August 21, 2008

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08029Opened April 22, 2008 - Closed August 21, 2008

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08029Opened April 22, 2008 - Closed August 21, 2008

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08029Opened April 22, 2008 - Closed August 21, 2008

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08071Opened December 15, 2008 - Closed May 29, 2009

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION HAZARD. Resulted in recall campaign 09V171000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20012
200226
200316
200420
200522
200619
200711
200839
200932
201027
201111
201213
201319
201417
20159
201614
20176
20186
20191
20203
20212
20221
20241
20252
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.