2002 Hyundai Sonata Structure Problems
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 105,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “sub frame” (18% of reports).
- 88structure complaints
- 105,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 8mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 16%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Sub frame: mentioned in 16 of 88 complaints (18%)
- Engine cradle: mentioned in 8 of 88 complaints (9%)
- Subframe rusted: mentioned in 7 of 88 complaints (8%)
- Door handles: mentioned in 6 of 88 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 77 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 88 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury.
Hyundai Sonata structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sonata | 5 | 11% | 1,500 |
| 2023 Sonata | 4 | 5% | 140 |
| 2022 Sonata | 3 | 3% | 31,000 |
| 2021 Sonata | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2020 Sonata | 17 | 9% | 600 |
| 2019 Sonata | 7 | 4% | — |
| 2018 Sonata | 17 | 5% | 32,000 |
| 2017 Sonata | 37 | 5% | 51,700 |
| 2016 Sonata | 31 | 4% | 55,000 |
| 2015 Sonata | 52 | 5% | 23,800 |
| 2014 Sonata | 17 | 2% | 72,500 |
| 2013 Sonata | 50 | 3% | 51,500 |
| 2012 Sonata | 39 | 3% | 54,595 |
| 2011 Sonata | 73 | 2% | 65,000 |
| 2010 Sonata | 164 | 48% | 68,000 |
| 2009 Sonata | 40 | 9% | 72,115 |
| 2008 Sonata | 15 | 4% | 73,000 |
| 2007 Sonata | 21 | 3% | 82,000 |
| 2006 Sonata | 44 | 4% | 65,000 |
| 2005 Sonata | 30 | 18% | 105,000 |
| 2004 Sonata | 47 | 23% | 98,000 |
| 2003 Sonata | 38 | 19% | 93,500 |
| 2002 Sonata | 88 | 28% | 105,000 |
| 2001 Sonata | 69 | 34% | 114,000 |
| 2000 Sonata | 109 | 39% | 116,297 |
| 1999 Sonata | 36 | 29% | 105,000 |
| 1998 Sonata | 2 | 4% | — |
| 1996 Sonata | 2 | 9% | — |
| 1995 Sonata | 5 | 8% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists structure for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While driving approximately 5 mph, the engine fell through the cradle assembly and crushed the axle. There was no warning indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the contact heard a lot of squeaking while driving various speeds and making turns. The…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE AND THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE…
Paint is flaking off of all the door handles on my 2001 sonata gold color. When it was only happening on one door, my dealer said it was not there problem. Now that it is happening on all of them, it is obvious to me that it is a defect. Has anyone else had this problem and could they get it…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Hyundai Sonatas have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 88 owner complaints about structure for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata (28% of the 319 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Hyundai Sonata structure?
No recall currently lists structure for this vehicle.
At what mileage do structure problems start?
The median reported mileage is 105,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about structure problems on the 2002 Hyundai Sonata?
The most frequent phrase is “sub frame”, in 16 of 88 complaints, followed by “engine cradle” (8).
Other 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems
- Suspension problems (62)
- Air Bags problems (51)
See all 2002 Hyundai Sonata problems or structure problems across all Sonata years.