Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Hyundai Sonata
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Hyundai Sonata has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 320 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V317000 CHROMIUM PLATED DOOR INSIDE HANDLE REPAIR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V171000 INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE LACERATION /GOLD INDUSTRIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V124000 FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V369000 HYUNDAI PUERTO RICO/FMVSS/FUEL VALVE INSTALLATION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V178000 HYUNDAI/FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE/FMVSS 301 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V097000 HYUNDAI/TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V145000 HYUNDAI/SRS SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SENSOR NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 88 complaints
- Suspension 63 complaints
- Air Bags 51 complaints
- Steering 24 complaints
- Electrical System 23 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 21 complaints
Of the 320 complaints on file, 31 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 320 complaints, owners report 54 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Hyundai Sonata shows a below-average reliability with 320 NHTSA complaints and 7 recall campaigns. Key issues include suspension and structure-related problems, drawing over half of all complaints. The data reflects significant issues, but not uniformly critical, indicating a propensity for common issues that could lead to increased maintenance costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| Structure | 100,000–150,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | common |
| Air bags | Unknown | $200–$600 | occasional |
| Steering | 90,000–120,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Timing belt inspection
- Coolant system check
- Suspension alignment check
- Air filter change
- Tire rotations
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Uneven tire wear
- Rattling noises from suspension
- Airbag warning light
- Loose steering feel
- Stiff door handles
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.