The Lemon Index2002 Hyundai Elantra.
The 2002 Hyundai Elantra is about average by owner complaints: 114 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 93, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 25 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Elantra year is 2015.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 342 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Elantra year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 110K miles on the car (243 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 67K–119K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 24K–120K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 7K–40K miles
Recalls 6
- suspension 2009
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, M…
- airbags 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- fuel system, gasoline 2004
SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE THAT MAY NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.
- brakes 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE TUBES FOR THE REAR BRAKES CAN CONTACT THE STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTING BRACKETS.
- brakes 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR BRAKE TUBES PASS BEHIND THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 79 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Harsh or delayed park-reverse or park-drive engagement in vehicles equipped
- Subject regarding automatic transaxle harsh or delayed park-reverse or park-drive engagement
- Subject regarding automatic transaxle harsh and/or delayed shifts
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFront lower control arms rusting2009
- ClosedAir bag light illumination2008
- ClosedAir bag light illumination2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Almost every time the brakes were depressed there was a loud clanking sound coming from the driver's side. Consumer heard the noise at least one hundred times. Vehicle was at dealer four times concerning brak problems.
2002 Hyundai Elantra owner · NHTSA complaint 10058044
More owner reports
When the brakes were applied, the vehicle experienced extended stopping distance.
NHTSA complaint 10020177
On board computer failed to deploy airbag and seat belt did not hold during an accident which resulted in injury to my neck and back.
NHTSA complaint 10049334
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 93; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Elantra year by this measure is 2015.
What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Elantra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (30%), brakes (22%) and speed control (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have?
6 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra get?
25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Elantra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 72,000 miles, from 243 complaints.
Does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Hyundai Elantra have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Elantra year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2015, 2014 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works