2002 Hyundai Sonata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 320 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,832miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata, 3% of the 320 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,832 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission failed causing semi to almost rear end my vehicle due to a faulty sensor. Manufacturer refuses to fix problem although it is warranted. Similar failures will cause deaths. I have notified and requested assistance through hyundia's consumer complaint department to no avail. There will no doubt be a death caused by this malfunction in the powertrain.”
NHTSA complaint #10132093, filed 2005-08, 78,500 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“Traveling north on interstate 15 at 75 MPH, with the car on cruise control. At the start of a curve the car started to accelerate. It reached over 5,000 rpms. Stepping on the brake accomplished nothing. I shut off the cruise control it continued to accelerate over 6,000 rpms I shut the engine and finally got control of the car. During this time I had gone off the highway down a ravine hitting boulders and rocks and into the desert and damaging my car. I re-started the car and the engine sounded weird. I shut the engine again and waited for a longer period before restarting. …”
NHTSA complaint #10314392, filed 2010-02, 69,364 miles“I purchased a 2002 Hyundai Sonata and have had nothing but trouble with it. To date we have had the o2 sensors replaced due to numerous check engine indicators. We have had the clutch replaced, the transmission replaced, the clutch depression switch after having the clutch and transmission replaced the switch failed to work consistently preventing the car from starting. After having the switch replaced, the very next day I smelled an electrical burning smell which then caused my headlights to dim the heater fan/motor to drop in speed and the windshield wipers to move very slowly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10052792, filed 2004-01, 76,300 miles“S10 appropriate handling fm owner of a 2002 Hyundai Sonata concerned re defected clutch, has had several clutch repairs. The consumer stated the clutch was replaced six times. The consumer stated each time the clutch had to be replaced, they found a different defect; such as excessive play and slippage.”
NHTSA complaint #10323148, filed 2010-03, 1,911 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10196546May 21, 2021Hyundai approves only the ATF, DCT gear oil and IVT gear oil specified in the vehicleâÂÂs ownerâÂÂs manual. ï· Use of other ATF may result in improper shift quality or…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 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…
- 10128119Dec 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…
- 10128118Dec 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…
- 10082725Sep 2, 2016This bulletin provides information on components, attributes, and precautions of the 7-speed dry-type dual clutch transmission (dct).
- 10032908Oct 1, 2009Hyundai: ata solenoid diagnostic trouble codes p0740, p0741, p0742, p0743, p0746, p0748, p0750, p0755, p0760, p0765, p0770. Incorrect operation of the transaxle solenoids may…
- 10030984Jul 1, 2009Hyundai: automatic transaxle range switch diagnostic trouble codes p0705 (range switch signal problems), p0707 (range switch open circuit), and p0708 (range switch short circuit…
- 10020912Dec 1, 2006Automatic transaxle diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) list.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 18% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 24 | 25% |
| 2021 | 25 | 19% |
| 2020 | 24 | 13% |
| 2019 | 8 | 5% |
| 2018 | 40 | 11% |
| 2017 | 56 | 7% |
| 2016 | 59 | 8% |
| 2015 | 135 | 12% |
| 2014 | 55 | 7% |
| 2013 | 94 | 5% |
| 2012 | 97 | 6% |
| 2011 | 173 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 41 | 9% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 3% |
| 2001 | 18 | 9% |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% |
| 1999 | 14 | 11% |
| 1998 | 12 | 24% |
| 1997 | 9 | 18% |
| 1996 | 5 | 22% |
| 1995 | 15 | 23% |
| 1993 | 9 | 35% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 24% |
| 1990 | 7 | 44% |
| 1989 | 2 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Sonata
88 complaintsSuspension
63 complaintsAir bags
51 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
14 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