Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE FELL THROUGH THE CRADLE ASSEMBLY AND CRUSHED THE AXLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOT OF SQUEAKING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
I FINANCED MY CAR IN AND AROUND 3YRS AGO, IT WAS ON 48,000 WHICH WE THOUGHT WAS SUCH A GREAT DEAL. TABS AND REG. WAS DO COMING UP IN DEC WHICH WAS AND HOW OUR NITEMARE BEGAN, WE WERE TO GO GET EMISSIONS DONE LOW AND BEHOLD IT DIDN'T FAIL BUT ALSO DID NOT PASS IT CAME BACK NOT READY, WE DROVE IT FOR HRS WENT BACK STILL NOT READY,WE THEN HAD TO GET TABS SO CAR WOULD NOT GET TOWED. THE NEXT YEAR NO EMISSIONS, THIS YEAR STILL NOT READY AND UNABLE TO GET TABS, WE ACTUALLY FOUND OUT PROBLEMS WAY BEFORE US, MY QUESTION IS SHOULD THEY HAVE EVEN SOLD THAT CANNOT BE REGISTERED NOR TABBED, IN FACT I FILL THAT SOMEONE AT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT, WE EVEN PURCHASED IT FROM HYUNDAI IN RENTON, WA. PLEASE HELP ME !!! THANK YOU, VERY MUCH *TR
ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. *TR
THROTTLE BODY GOT STUCK WIDE OPEN THERE US A PIC OF THIS IN GETTYSBURG TIMES I GOT VIDEO OF THE CAR GOING WILD MY CAR DROVE INTO A SUPPORT LINE AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. HAMILTON HYUNDAI - CHAMBERSBURG, PA HAD A FEW MECHANICS COME AND THEY TOLD ME TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE CAUSE IT WAS STICKING I HAVE NOT DONE SO AND WILL NOT UNTIL THEY ADMIT THERE AN ISSUE I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR
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. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE THEN THAT I WAS DRIVING, DON'T RECALL THE MPH, BUT IT MUST OF BEEN AROUND 50 - 60 MPH CAUSE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THE WHOLE ENGINE SPORADICALLY, IN LESS THAN A SPLIT SECOND, TURNS OFF THEN ON. ALL THE ELECTRIC PANEL AND THE FRONT DASHBOARD AND THE WHOLE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNS OFF/ON IN A "BLINK OF AN EYE". IT MADE THE CAR MAKE AN ERRATIC AND SUDDEN STOP, LIKE IF I HAD PUT THE BRAKES COMPLETELY OR THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED THAT SPLIT SECOND. THEN IT WENT BACK ON AND STILL DRIVING. AFTER THAT IT DID IT ABOUT 2 MORE TIMES LIKE AROUND THOSE MINS I WAS DRIVING, ABOUT MINS APART. AFTER THIS HAPPENED, IT'S BEEN GETTING WORSE AND NOW THE POWER SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY AND I HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE SIDE WITH NO POWER ON CAR. THEN SUDDENLY GETS POWER AGAIN AND I JUST START IT AGAIN. I'VE CHECKED THE CABLES OF BATTERIES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME I CAN'T GET THE CAR CHECKED FOR CODES CAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS GETTING RESET SINCE IT LOOSES POWER COMPLETELY AND THEY CAN'T GET ANY CODES UNLESS THE ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT UP. SOMETIMES TURNING SIGNAL OR PUTTING THE BRAKES OR LIGHTS ON MAKE IT STOP OR LOOSE POWER COMPLETELY. *TR
I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA WHICH HAS SEVERE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE RUST. IT WOULD NOT PASS VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC HAS SUGGESTED WELDING THE FRAME TO "BANDAGE" THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THE OTHER STORIES FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR AND BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS RELATED TO THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, IT'S LIKE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. MY SON ALSO DRIVES MY CAR ON OCCASION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES DUE TO OVERHEATING. DURING EACH VISIT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED IN JUNE OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN AUGUST WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THERE IS FAILURE WITH THE HEATING OR COOLING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE SAME ISSUE TO RECUR WITHIN A YEAR OF HAVING IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO BE LIABLE OR MAKE PARTIAL PAYMENTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
ENGINE CRADLE / CROSS MEMBER RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER - SIDE [RIGHT SIDE] OF UNDERCARRIAGE [3 INCHES?] . APPARENT ENGINE LEAK FROM AIR CONDITIONER DESPITE REGULAR [HYUNDAI] MAINTENANCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIMING BELT; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON HOT DAYS (90 DEGREE WEATHER), THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS LIT. HOWEVER, IN COOLER WEATHER, ONCE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DIMS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V178000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 HYUNDAI SONATA AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER WAITING APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC ,WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR, AND THE TIMING BELT. THE MECHANIC MADE THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE CRANK SENSOR, CAM SENSOR AND THE TIMING BELT. THE DEALERSHIP MADE THE REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALERSHIP THEN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MODULE ASSY- TIMING AND ALARM SYSTEM WERE FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE MODULE ASSY- TIMING AND ALARM SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE THIS REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 74000 MILES. *AK
SUBJECT:2002 HYUNDAI SONATA.I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS ONES THE AIRBAG LIGHT THE OTHER IS ENGINE LIGHT ON.THESE COULD LEAD TO A SERIOS INJURY ACCIDENT, IF AIRBAGS DONT WORK OR IF I CANT STOP CAR BECAUSE ENGINE DIES!I KNOW SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH HERS.MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED,BUT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX BOTH PROBLEMS!ANYWAY MY MAIN PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE LIGHT THAT STAYS ON,THE CAR DIES WHENEVER IT WANTS.I THINK THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND THEY DONT WANT TO FIX .PLEASE LOOK INTO IT FOR ALL SONATA OWNERS,THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FIX!THANK YOU!
VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, AND IT WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE TIMING BELT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK
8/27/02 BELT NOISE AND BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE PULLEY BELT WAS REPLACED. 1/33/03 RECALL ON <A ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE 'AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A></A> WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. 9/8/03 CAR ENGINE RACED TO 5000-6000 RPMS, HAD TO TURN OFF IGNITION. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN FIND NO EXPLANATION. 9/16/03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHILE IN PARK, ENGINE RACES TO 5000 RPMS. AFTER 3 RESTARTS AT THE IGNITION, THE IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL. 9/21/03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WAIT TO TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. 10/7/03 SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY CAN FIND NO PROBLEM. 10/23/03 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS A LEAK IN THE FILL VENT VALVE, REPAIR. 12/18/03 RECALL SERVICE DONE. 5/9/04 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IGNORE, IT GOES OFF AFTER TWO WEEKS. 8/6/04 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. IGNORE, IT GOES OFF AFTER TWO WEEKS. 11/4/04 WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING. COLLISION OCCURS, ACCELERATION CONTINUES, CAR SPINS OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS TWO LANES AND INTO A GRASSY FIELD. I PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR FROM CONTINUING INTO THE FENCEPOST. PATROLMAN SAID THE THROTTLE WAS OPEN. INSURANCE COMPANY VALUED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN: THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. AFTER IMPACT THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AND SHE WAS STILL PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE PULLED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE OFFICER ON THE SCENE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING. *TC YHE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED.
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A PARKED VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE SERVICE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING. RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V145000. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSORS MAY BE TOO SENSITIVE TO SOME LATERAL ACCELERATIONS THAT ARE NOT CAUSED BY SIDE IMPACTS TO THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS FORCEFULLY SLAMMING A DOOR CLOSED. *TC
CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE WAS HAVING TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH HER VEHICLE AND DOES NOT WANT IT ANYMORE. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS GOING BAD. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 300 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. THEN AFTER THAT WAS REPAIRED. SHE DROVE IT A WHILE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN SHE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS TOLD THE O2 SENSOR WAS BAD. THIS ALSO WAS REPAIRED. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, INSTEAD THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. *AK THE RADIATOR HAD BROKEN ALSO. *SC
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT HYUNDAI IS HAVING A LARGE PROBLEM WITH O2 SENSORS, ESPECIALLY IN WARM CLIMATES. DEALER WORKED ON THE PROBLEM ONCE ALREADY, BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAVE RETURNED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING WORKED ON. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS HE IS SUPRISED THEY HAVE NOT HAD A RECALL JUST FOR THE O2 SENSOR. *AK
STILL DEALER DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE DEFECT ALTHOUGH THE CHANGE SOME OF THE PARTS ALREADY BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NO SAFETYD EFECT LISTED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ENGINE WOULD STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT CANT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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