2002 Hyundai Sonata Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 63about this part
- Share
- 20%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 129,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 63 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, 20% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 129,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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...”
NHTSA complaint #11365401, filed 2020-10, 179,000 miles“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“The right side sub-frame of my 02 Hyundai Sonata we just found out has rusted through and the lower control arm has separated causing the axle to pop out, this happened as I was driving and almost caused a wreck...the car is very well maintained and even though it was once in a northern state (that's where I bought it..in s.dakota) I do not think this uneven rusting of the subframe is normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493642, filed 2013-01, 127,000 miles“My right front wheel didn't feel right , took it to a service station to be looked at. They brought me in to see that the whole frame under the car is rusted. The bolts that hold up the axle and suspension were completely gone and there was a hole in the under carriage. The wheel was tilted and the inside of the tire was worn all the way down . There was nothing there to support the wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10234713, filed 2008-07, 150,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10871455, filed 2016-05, 151,946 milesRelated recalls
- 09V124000Apr 16, 2009Hyundai is recalling 188,282 my 2001-2004 sonata and my 2001-2004 xg300 and xg350 vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of…Covers: Hyundai Sonata 1999–2004, XG300 2001–2004, XG350 2001–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10172142Feb 5, 2020This bulletin describes the requirements for all wheel alignment and/or vehicle tracking claims and best practices when diagnosing and conducting alignment-related repairs for…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 1% |
| 2013 | 48 | 3% |
| 2012 | 36 | 2% |
| 2011 | 149 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 25 | 5% |
| 2008 | 9 | 2% |
| 2007 | 15 | 2% |
| 2006 | 86 | 8% |
| 2005 | 26 | 16% |
| 2004 | 56 | 28% |
| 2003 | 15 | 8% |
| 2002 | 63 | 20% |
| 2001 | 29 | 14% |
| 2000 | 64 | 23% |
| 1999 | 17 | 14% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 4 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata
88 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsSteering
24 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 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