2002 Hyundai Elantra Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 9%of 342 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,630miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the 342 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,630 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When pumping gas I can only pump about $1.50 worth of gas at a time before it starts coming back out and spilling everywhere. I have tried pumping gas with the car on, not safe I know, and it still only takes about $1.50 before it comes back out. I have spoken to multiple Elantra owners and they all have the same issue. It takes about 20 minutes to fill up. The more gas you get in your tank, the less you can pump. From the research I have done online it's that the evap canistor has failed and it's pushing charcoal thru the fuel lines. …”
NHTSA complaint #11302937, filed 2020-01, 237,242 miles“After refueling, the car has difficulty starting. The car stall like it has flooded. After numerous attempts trying to start the car (the car sputters), it finally starts. There are several other Hyundai Elantra owners in this area have the same problem. The car initial started with difficulty refueling. After putting in 0.25 - $1.00 worth of gasoline, the pump would click off. Refueling could take up to 5-10 minutes to fill the tank. I have spent over $500.00 dollars trying to fix the problem. I have called Hyundai of america and received little to no assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #10649436, filed 2014-10, 100,000 miles“After refueling, the car has difficulty starting. The car stall like it has flooded. After numerous attempts trying to start the car (the car sputters), it finally starts. There are several other Hyundai Elantra owners in this area have the same problem. The car initial started with difficulty refueling. After putting in 0.25 - $1.00 worth of gasoline, the pump would click off. Refueling could take up to 5-10 minutes to fill the tank. I have spent over $500.00 dollars trying to fix the problem. I have called Hyundai of america and received little to no assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #10649434, filed 2014-10, 100,000 miles“Each time I am going to fill up the gasoline tank, the machine stops and it acts as if the gasoline tank is full. I have to put one dollar at a time until the tank is full.”
NHTSA complaint #10427500, filed 2011-09, 105,000 miles“On the evening of 6/27, my son was driving our 2002 Hyundai Elantra. There were three other passengers in the vehicle. A deer ran in front of the vehicle, and my son veered off to the right (in an attempt to avoid hitting the deer), ran off the shoulder of the road, and into a ditch. The vehicle did not roll over, but it came to rest on it's right side. The two front and two side airbags did not deploy. A fire ignited (almost immediately) in the engine compartment area of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10079050, filed 2004-06, 23,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V369000Jul 26, 2004Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity" a valve on the fuel…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2002–2003, Sonata 2002–2003, XG350 2002–2003 +1 more
- 04V178000Apr 9, 2004Some passenger vehicles contain a fuel tank assembly valve that may not close properly. If a vehicle with a fuel tank assembly valve that is not properly…Covers: Hyundai Elantra 2002–2003, Sonata 2002–2003, XG350 2002–2003 +1 more
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 4% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 23 | 8% |
| 2017 | 30 | 4% |
| 2016 | 20 | 7% |
| 2015 | 10 | 4% |
| 2014 | 24 | 6% |
| 2013 | 32 | 2% |
| 2012 | 18 | 3% |
| 2011 | 8 | 2% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 45 | 14% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 18 | 8% |
| 2002 | 31 | 9% |
| 2001 | 14 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 20 | 17% |
| 1996 | 13 | 13% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Elantra
95 complaintsAir bags
70 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsTires
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology