2002 Hyundai Elantra Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 8%of 342 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Hyundai Elantra, 8% of the 342 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was traveling home at 6 pm and I was coming over a hill and a car stoped short I swerved to avoid collission and side swiped a telephone pole.the airbags went off and I was hit with a piece of sharpnal that went into my lip causing me to get stitches and has left my face disfigured.”
NHTSA complaint #10717871, filed 2015-05, 110,000 miles“I heard a noise in the rear of my Hyundai Elantra 02 and upon bringing it to a service station was informed that the left rear cross member was corrode. Vehicle was towed to dealership and I was informed that the vehicle was not repairable. There was a current recall for this same issue, however the 02 Elantra was not included in this recall. This left me with an 11 year old vehicle that had never been in an accident and had been housed inside a garage in inclement weather that was a total loss. This is an extreme safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10558518, filed 2014-01, 100,000 miles“On 08/06/10 while driving my car in a residential area, I heard a loud pop sound come from the front passenger side of my vehicle. I immediately lost control of my car, but was able to pull into a parking lot. At that time, I discovered the front axle had actually broken (passenger side) and was dragging the ground. I called the dealership I bought my car from (a 2002 Hyundai Elantra- I contacted first team auto mall where I had bought it new), and advised the service personnel of what had just happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358296, filed 2010-09, 56,157 miles“I was driving in my town and I went to take a left turn and the next thing I knew my steering wheel jolted further to the left than I had turned it and I was in oncoming traffic. Luckily the oncoming car had enough time to stop and swerve out of the way to avoid a head on collision. At first I thought I had a flat tire, but upon closer inspection I noticed the bottom of the front right wheel was tilted inward on almost a 45 degree angle so that the hub cap was almost in contact with the pavement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10277542, filed 2009-07, 50,400 miles“I have a 2002 Hyundai Elantra with a recall of corrosion problem of the front lower control arm. I called one month ago for a appointment got a date of may 17 for inspection. April 16 my car broke down due to corrosion of the front lower control arm. I towed my car to Hyundai they inspected my car both lower control arms one already bad the other no good and also the front subframe has to be replaced. They tell me there is a national parts shortage and will take up to a month to repair my car. Meanwhile I have no car.”
NHTSA complaint #10326509, filed 2010-04, 38,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235566Apr 24, 2023Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 15 | 5% |
| 2017 | 134 | 17% |
| 2016 | 18 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 5% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 51 | 4% |
| 2012 | 16 | 2% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 22 | 6% |
| 2009 | 11 | 4% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 20 | 7% |
| 2006 | 8 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 32 | 14% |
| 2002 | 27 | 8% |
| 2001 | 28 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 2% |
| 1997 | 9 | 8% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 7 | 6% |
| 1994 | 7 | 9% |
| 1992 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Elantra
95 complaintsAir bags
70 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsFuel system
31 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 29, 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