10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
115,686 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Hyundai Sonata suspension problems

suspension problem

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2002 Hyundai Sonata Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #48

Aug 312020

Sonata

  • 179,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear subframe rusted away and trailing arms both fell off. Was traveling and when I was making a left turn the right trailing arm broke off and instantly made the car almost swerve off the road. I continued home a block further and looked to see the damage. Right side trailing arm completely detached and the left side barely hanging on. Sent to Hyundai to have looked at and given a quote. Nothing yet...

- Shawnee, OK, USA

problem #47

Aug 202019

Sonata

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While exiting the freeway at approximately 45 mph, the passenger side axle failed and damaged the wheel without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was also towed to malloy Hyundai (1880 opitz blvd, woodbridge, va 22191, (703) 490-8170) for another diagnostic test, but the results were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

problem #46

Sep 172018

Sonata

  • 111,000 miles
I purchased this 2002 Hyundai Sonata and had it inspected in Pennsylvania, the vehicle fails due to rotted/rusted out front subframe, this component was supposed to be replaced under recall NHTSA campaign id number : 09V124000, manufacturer campaign number: 089 however Hyundai said it was inspected and recall was closed.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #45

Nov 012017

Sonata

  • 94,724 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that premature rust and corrosion occurred on the front subframe. The rust went through the front subframe, causing it to fracture. The vehicle was serviced by checkered flag Hyundai (3033 Virginia beach blvd, Virginia beach, va 23452, (757) 687-3462) for NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension). The dealer had to disassemble the vehicle. Other parts were damaged. The dealer refused to replace the damaged parts and stated that they would only service the recall, which was completed. Also, the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V317000 (latches/locks/linkages). The contact was not notified by the manufacturer of the two recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The parts were damaged from the completion of the recall repair. The manufacturer refused to provide coverage for the replacement of the damaged parts, stating that the dealer provided the remedy for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer expected the contact to replace the parts that were damaged. The approximate failure mileage was 94,724.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #44

Feb 072017

Sonata

  • 260,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 65 mph, the rear passenger side tire buckled and ended up under the vehicle. The upper control arm rusted in half, which caused the vehicle to spin out of control. There was no crash. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000.

- Barton, MD, USA

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problem #43

Jun 302016

Sonata

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving 40 mph, the front driver side lower control arm fractured and damaged the front axle, strut, front fender, and front tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and lower back, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V125000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #42

May 252016

Sonata

  • 151,946 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle started making a noise and driving weird. It looked like one tire was pointed straight and the other tire turned slightly. I stopped at a gas station to see what was wrong and they said the a frame was almost rusted into. I had already had the metal in the rear of the car replaced from being rusted out near were the shock attaches. I have researched and seen where several Sonatas have been recalled due to severe rust issues. The body even has been rusting badly. The bigger concern is the frame. I am afraid to drive it now. Do not know what recourse I have. This happened while driving. The car is now parked and am afraid to move it, even to a garage.

- Langley, KY, USA

problem #41

Oct 212014

Sonata

  • miles
Server subframe rust right side about to break and not taking gas in fuel tank

- Johnson, TN, USA

problem #40

Nov 122015

Sonata

  • 136,000 miles
Rear upper control arms (passenger and driver) had broken during normal driving conditions. The break is where the extensions connect to the bushings. Corrosion seems to be the culprit because the metal had rotted very thin and became perforated.

- Lisbon, OH, USA

problem #39

Mar 152014

Sonata

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. While driving approximately 33 mph, the contact's vehicle struck a pothole. As a result, the contact veered to the right and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a neck injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was rusted and failed to support the control arm. The technician informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V124000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #38

May 302015

Sonata

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I backed out of the driveway and the subframe on the passenger side collapsed and the tie rod and cv joint came loose. The steering went out. A certified frame mechanic said the sub frame rusted out.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #37

Dec 222014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • miles
Noticed pulling to right as driving, along with rattling in front end. Found that driver front subframe near lower suspension mount is completely rusted through. Discovered that this is a noted issue with these model vehicles and that a recall has been issued by the manufacturer. Due to obvious safety concerns I would like to know how to proceed with this concern.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #36

Dec 092014

Sonata

  • 156,000 miles
Alot of problems with this car.

- Roebling, NJ, USA

problem #35

May 222014

Sonata 4-cyl

  • 158,000 miles
Was driving down the when I heard a pop sound that had came from the curbside of the vehicle then the car started pulling to the right side of the road and did not really think to much about because thought needed to just have alignment done to the vehicle then next Friday I had take the car to have the alignment done on the vehicle they called me and said that the sub-frame of the vehicle was rusted in half and that it was unsafe to drive. I looked up the recalls on the vehicle and seen where it had a recall for the sub-frame rusting and set up a apt. To have it taken care of but they are saying that since my car is not registered in one of the salt-belt states that they are not going to honor the recall even though the rust is there and the sub-frame is rusted in half and the lower control arm is rusted off. Ref #[xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Boones Mill, VA, USA

problem #34

Apr 232014

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 156,000 miles
My son was operating the vehicle and was making a left turn. During the turn, the right front wheel buckled under and the vehicle became inoperable. Vehicle was towed to a repair facility. They found that there was significant corrosion in the sub-frame which caused it to fail. I have done some research on NHTSA site and it appears that campaign 09V124000 describes the issue. I have contacted Hyundai. They have instructed me to have to vehicle delivered to local dealer for inspection to determine if it is covered under a recall program. Their first response was to tell me that the recall was only covering certain states, Kentucky not being one of them. When I told them I had purchased the car used and had no way of knowing what other states the vehicle had been in, they agreed to examine the vehicle. I believe the vehicle repair should be covered since the damage is as described in the recall notice.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #33

Dec 192013

Sonata

  • 55,086 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle would abnormally drift to the right. The contact also stated that a loud noise was heard from the vehicle whenever driving over an uneven road surface. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The failure mileage was 55,086.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #32

Nov 132013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 202,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that the front subframe motor and suspension was found to be severely corroded. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included NHTSA campaign number 09V124000 (suspension) the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 202,000.

- Maynardville, TN, USA

problem #31

Sep 142013

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 129,000 miles
After having increased difficulty controlling the car, I took it to my tire dealer for an alignment and was told that they could not help me because the frame was "broken" and was shredding my rear tires. I called Hyundai corporate and was told that there was a recall on the subframe and was advised to take the car to my local dealer for inspection. Upon inspection, I was told that it was covered on the recall and left it with them for two days for repair. When I picked the car up, I was told that the front was repaired at no cost to me, however, the rear (which is what I went in for) was in very bad shape but it was not covered and would cost me $1,500 to repair it. I cannot understand how the front of a frame can be part of a recall, but the rear is not. "???" and I cannot understand why the local dealer didn't call to tell me this before he did the work on the front. Had I known how much it was going to cost me, I would have told him not to bother. Should I choose to keep the car, in addition to $1,500 to repair the rear frame, I will also need to buy two tires to replace the two which this rear frame is shredding. Unbelievable.

- Meriden , CT, USA

problem #30

Aug 212013

Sonata

  • 89,727 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while driving over a pot hole at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle began to pull to the left independently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who informed the contact that the front end sub frame cradle was completely fractured. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09V124000 (suspension) however, the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 89,727.

- Warsaw, IN, USA

problem #29

Sep 282012

Sonata 6-cyl

  • 260,000 miles
My car had been experiencing pulling to the right and I was replacing the right front tire every week. It felt as if the tire was going to fall off. I took it to my dad whom in turn got a mechanic to look at it. The mechanic said that the K frame was broken. He tried welding it. The weld held for about two weeks. After researching the problem I found that there is a recall and settlement from Hyundai. I called the customer service department who in turn gave me a case number and had be take the car to the dealership. They inspected the car and determined that my car didn't fit the criteria. I'm confused by the fact that so many vehicles like mine have the same problem but they don't fit the "criteria". something is wrong. And it's more than corrosion or the lack of.

- New Market, AL, USA

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