2002 Hyundai Sonata Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 8%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,612miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, 8% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,612 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2002 Hyundai Sonata failed at 6 MPH turning a city street corner. The axle and ball joint fell off, taking the right front wheel with it. This car was 'repaired' a few years earlier when it was recalled for undercarriage rust. They sprayed a rubberized coating on the undercarriage, and told me I was good to go! We all know, there is no way to stop rust.”
NHTSA complaint #10449359, filed 2012-02, 104,000 miles“Steering problem. The car would difficult to turn and then it would steer fine. This went on for a couple of days. I moved the car one morning and there was a bolt on the ground which looked as if it was from the car. Had the car towed to a repair shop. The diagnosis was the bolts on the rack and pinion were loose and one of the bolts was the one I found on the ground. The rack and pinion coming loose is a serious problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10321600, filed 2010-03, 105,225 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587174, filed 2014-05, 156,000 miles“The power steering line on the under side of the car that runs by the frame of the car rotted away and caused a power steering failure. About one month after having this repaired I received a recall letter that the frame needed to be inspected due to corrosion. I asked about the power steering line being part of this and was told no. This power steering line runs right along the side of the part of the frame that was inspected and sprayed for the recall, how can this power steering line not be covered by the recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10424633, filed 2011-09, 156,000 miles“I was driving on a highway with my 2002 Hyundai Sonata with a 2.7 ltr. 6 cyl. Engine,when I got off at my exit I took a right turn with no problem but when I went to take an immediate left turn I totally lost my power steering making it very hard to steer. When I looked under the hood I found that the metal line had rusted through and burst. This is only a 4 year old car. It was towed to garvey Hyundai where they replaced the line. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161511, filed 2006-07, 36,237 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 4% |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% |
| 2017 | 173 | 23% |
| 2016 | 33 | 5% |
| 2015 | 74 | 6% |
| 2014 | 65 | 9% |
| 2013 | 342 | 18% |
| 2012 | 301 | 19% |
| 2011 | 1,171 | 35% |
| 2010 | 15 | 4% |
| 2009 | 26 | 6% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 12 | 2% |
| 2006 | 35 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 24 | 8% |
| 2001 | 10 | 5% |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 2 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 12% |
| 1992 | 2 | 9% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata
88 complaintsSuspension
63 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsElectrical system
23 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 30, 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