10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,248 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Hyundai Elantra body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #13

May 012017

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The whole frame is rusty.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #12

Jul 102016

Elantra

  • 114,000 miles
There is rust coming through the quarter panels in the front

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #11

May 092016

Elantra

  • 71,000 miles
My vehicle has control arm rust and perforations in the subframe, covered under an existing recall. Hyundai has admitted that the parts are covered under the recall, but states that they are unable to replace the subframe and control arms due to rust damage on the frame itself. Replacing the damaged portions of the frame will cost well over the price of the vehicle. If the subframe did not have to be replaced, the frame would likely hold for some time and not require replacement in the near future. The frame damage is only an immediate issue because the recall repair needs to be done. Hyundai has offered me to either replace the frame damage at my own expense so they can complete the recall repair, or take a buyout equal to the kelly blue book value of the vehicle. Other compensation such as rental fees was refused. It has taken them ~25 days since receiving the vehicle to make this offer.

- South Euclid, OH, USA

problem #10

Mar 232015

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car recalled for "salt belt corrosion" repairs in 2002. Original owner sold car back to Hyundai dealership. Repairs were never done.when I bought this used Hyundai Elantra in late 2002, it had less than 13K miles on its odometer. It was serviced at a 2nd Hyundai dealership until 2012, when its 10 yr/ 100 K mi warranty expired. Today, even though it still has < 100 K on its odometer, the entire underside of the vehicle is so badly rusted that I've been told by two different sources that the corrosion on the underside is so bad that, during a 50 mph or greater accident, it is likely the entire inside of the car could fall onto the highway, while it kept moving forward, decapitating everyone inside. Jpg images of the extent of the corrosion on this vehicle are available at: www.hyundaidcm.com/web/activitydetails.aspx"activityid=7738650-4. my Hyundai is unsafe to drive because Hyundai never performed the mandated NHTSA service in 2002. Please take my case on.. I've filled out the when did this happen" box below with the date when Hyundai America had my Elantra inspected by manly Hyundai (2702 corby ave, santa rosa, ca 95402). Ever since this inspection, Hyundai America has offered to pay me $ 1K to "take my car away". when I asked them why not $ 3K (it's high kelly blue book value), they informed me it "was a rust bucket".yes, my Elantra is a "rust bucket", but only because of Hyundai's failure to perform the repairs required in NHTSA's 2002 recall, that never got done.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #9

Oct 242015

Elantra 4-cyl

  • 94,178 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the link assembly front stabilizer and the control arms completely lowered and the front end had excessive rust. In addition, the front tires fell off due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,178....updated 02/03/16

- Omaha, NE, USA

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problem #8

Apr 262014

Elantra

  • 110,000 miles
Was traveling home at 6 pm and I was coming over a hill and a car stoped short I swerved to avoid collission and side swiped a telephone pole.the airbags went off and I was hit with a piece of sharpnal that went into my lip causing me to get stitches and has left my face disfigured.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #7

Feb 062013

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car paint started chipping it's been doing this since I bought the car in 2010. I've researched and many people have complained about there cars paint chipping. But unfortunately the dealership would do anything about it.

- Morgan City, LA, USA

problem #6

Oct 072010

Elantra

  • 72,000 miles
Something hit car over driverside windshield and door during Transport. Insurance totaled. Airbag light already on. Before settling with insurance co, bought tag and insurance. Bought car back from ins co. Drove until tag expired.can"T get salvage title until airbag light is fixed. Took it to Hyundai dealership in montgomery al. Diagnosis (air bag control module), which is recall part. Talked with Hyundai supervisor [xxx]. he told me that my car wasn"T in the recall number, but coincidentally my car needs the same recall part. Maybe they made mistake and left my car out. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Luverne, AL, USA

problem #5

Jul 312013

Elantra

  • miles
While driving down a highway the hood simply popped open coming back smashing the windshield.

- Whitney, PA, USA

problem #4

Apr 012013

Elantra

  • 114,000 miles
Hyundai Elantra 2002 lower under carriage corrosion. Plus excessive body corrosion similar to Toyota pickups.

- New Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #3

Oct 202008

Elantra

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

10/2008, I was driving down a steep hill and began to downshift, while braking. My car jerked and skidded at the bottom. I was able to get it to the side of the road. A flatbed towed it and determined that the front drivers side wheel/tie rod had broken. The mechanic noted some corrosion, but repaired what needed to be done. March 2009, I had new front tires placed and balanced. Shortly afterwards, I got a flat tire, had the spare put on and brought it back for replacement. The front end seemed out of alignment, so it was brought back to the mechanic for realignment. It was then they saw that the entire subframe was corroded and "dangerous" to drive. The front arms were bent and subsequently collapsed. The repairs at this time would exceed the value of the car and I am reduced to "junking" my 7 year old vehicle.

- Rhinebeck, NY, USA

problem #2

Mar 012002

Elantra

  • miles
Several weeks ago, I filed a complaint on this site 10049365. I have seen no responses of any type. Now to take that complaint a step further. Many of the problems that I have encountered with this Hyundai death trap, and the unwillingness of hma to look into the problems, or the dealers to rectify the problems is well documented on this web site. As I mentioned in my previous complaint, I went through the lemon law process in my state. They require arbitration with the BBB autoline. The arbitration was a joke and the hma representative accused my wife of driving the vehicle as a commercial vehicle and put all of the car woes on her. She drives the car for work, mostly highway. Also, the arbitrator accused us of having a tow hitch on the car, which is legal, but not recommended. Well, we have no trailer or hitch. The BBB autoline is rigged against the consumer and they should not associated with any state or federal laws whatsoever. Hyundais of this model are certain death traps and I feel that the federal government should order hma to repair everyone of them now. The consumer is stuck between a global conglomerate and local dealers who will not repair these vehicles.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #1

May 122002

Elantra 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40 miles
From day of purchase, I noticed a vibration in the steering, starting about 42 mph. Took the vehicle to dealer, who rotated and balanced tires. Vibration then started about 50 mph, back to the dealer rotated and balanced tires again along with alignment. Vibration about 58 mph back to dealer again, rotation, forced balancing, rotor turned down, still had vibration. Filed under lemon law, final attempt by service department involved hma regional chief mechanic trouble shooter. He claimed they loosened motor mounts and let engine center itself, changed tires, balanced and aligned again. After a week I picked up car which he said was fine. Vibration still noticeable. Gave up on hma and drove car about 20,000 more miles till vibration got so bad I had to go to a brake shop because it was almost impossible to stop. They changed pads, adjusted brakes and rebuilt right front caliper. No more vibration. Hyundai won't pay for the repair, so following thru with lemon law and hoping to get out of this death trap. Air bag light comes on some days, and stays on all day, some days it's not on. Do the air bags work. Also having problems with paint finish, door seals and seat belt retractors. Real piece of junk and I would never recommend this car to any one. Also had to have brake dust removed from rear brakes at about 7000 miles and the dealer charged me 60.00$ excessive dust accumulation is a design defect and at the least should have been covered by Hyundai. Abl.pco

- Orlando, FL, USA

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