2002 Hyundai Sonata Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 7%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, 7% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On november 30, 2020 after shopping in food store, starting the cat and coming out of a parking lot and driving the car forward, I smell something burning. Stop & open the front hood and saw smoke coming out of the air filter housing and started to burn. Somebody helped and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. The car was running hood and my daily driver before the incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11384081, filed 2020-12, 77,000 miles“My 2002 Hyundai Sonata radio comes on and off when ever it wants to and I notice when it rains it makes a really loud noise. I have to replace an alternator 3 times within the last 3 years. Not sure what could be causing this but it is very annoying. Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #10482929, filed 2012-11, 186,000 miles“The battery is often drained and continues to do so all the time I've researched it on the internet and many owners of the 2002 have the same problem, possibly the ignition switch relay. Many have replaced battery, alternator and problems continue. My car is currently draining and dying all the time I have purchased a jump starter for my car. I have to jump my car every time I use it.”
NHTSA complaint #10251746, filed 2008-12, 116,590 miles“My car started getting erratic idling and then the engine light started to turn on. I got the spark plugs and spark plug wires replaced and then it mild down after around 1wk after, then the erratic idling while on drive or on reverse started again. Left it like that thinking it was maybe the fuel pump or something like that. Had my brother that is a mechanic check it and said he found the spark plug wires out of sequence, but after he made sure all were the correct order the same problem started again, same erratic idling and this time it really did feel like sometimes loosing power. …”
NHTSA complaint #10472126, filed 2012-08, 135,000 miles“My 2002 hundai Sonata blk 4 door automatic. I started to get in the car thurs morning 2/15/07 at 4am. The key in the ignition would not go in. I had the car towed to my local mechanic. He did advice to put a new battery in the car. He said it was time for a replacement. I have been going to him for some time. And find him very reputable in the area. However, the tow man also could not put the key in the ignition. When I picked up the car at his shop the key went in. Battery works great. So the next morning 2-16-07 the ignition would not go in again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10183091, filed 2007-02, 57,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10170883Jan 16, 2020This bulletin provides guidelines to inspect the USB, head unit, and multi-box for common connection conditions. 2. This bulletin presents guidelines to inspect for common…
- 10128154Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10128153Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
- 10018184Aug 1, 2005Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes list.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 19 | 40% |
| 2023 | 12 | 14% |
| 2022 | 17 | 18% |
| 2021 | 18 | 13% |
| 2020 | 40 | 22% |
| 2019 | 12 | 7% |
| 2018 | 60 | 16% |
| 2017 | 65 | 8% |
| 2016 | 89 | 12% |
| 2015 | 167 | 14% |
| 2014 | 135 | 18% |
| 2013 | 261 | 14% |
| 2012 | 235 | 15% |
| 2011 | 444 | 13% |
| 2010 | 16 | 5% |
| 2009 | 61 | 13% |
| 2008 | 32 | 8% |
| 2007 | 51 | 7% |
| 2006 | 86 | 8% |
| 2005 | 19 | 12% |
| 2004 | 17 | 8% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 23 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 37 | 13% |
| 1999 | 11 | 9% |
| 1998 | 4 | 8% |
| 1997 | 5 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 8 | 12% |
| 1993 | 7 | 27% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 5 | 17% |
| 1990 | 3 | 19% |
| 1989 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata
88 complaintsSuspension
63 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsTires
10 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Hyundai Sonata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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