Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
210–25K
1925–50K
1950–75K
1075–100K
4100–150K
3150K+
76 reports with mileage · 58 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports2 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
134 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System
Purchased car 2002 in Arizona. About 2009 when the check engine light came on and when filling the car with gas the pump would stop after less than .25 gallons pumped. It takes greater than 20 minutes to fill the tank and many times the auto shut off fails and I end up being sprayed gasoline. This is a personal safety issue as w…
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Purchased car 2002 in Arizona. About 2009 when the check engine light came on and when filling the car with gas the pump would stop after less than .25 gallons pumped. It takes greater than 20 minutes to fill the tank and many times the auto shut off fails and I end up being sprayed gasoline. This is a personal safety issue as well as an enviromental hazard. There are many similar complaints about this issue, but it is repeatedly ignored. What will get this addressed, some one being seriously injured after being doused with gasoline?
NHTSA ODI #11607837
3 miles · Sep 9, 2019
Unknown Or Other
ALL CARS AND TRUCKS WITH YELLOW FOGGY HEADLAMP LENSES SHOULD BE RECALLED ? WHEN THEY WERE GLASS AND ONLY $ 5.00 THEY DIDN'T TURN YELLOW . THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NITE. !! YOU PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB KEEPING US SAFE!
NHTSA ODI #11254093
67,000 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
I GOT THIS CAR IN 2015 AND IT KEEP FAILING THE STATE OF OHIO VECHICLE INSPECTION E-CHECK TEST AND THE SAME CODE KEEPS COMING UP..... P1401..... WHY... IT FAIL ON JAN 16,2019 AND IN 2017 JAN.19.17 I SPENT $398.52 AND HAD GAS TANK FILLER NECK AND CANISTER VENTVALVE REPLACE.....AND AGAIN SAME CODE 2019 "P1401..HELP THKS. (XXXX) …
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I GOT THIS CAR IN 2015 AND IT KEEP FAILING THE STATE OF OHIO VECHICLE INSPECTION E-CHECK TEST AND THE SAME CODE KEEPS COMING UP..... P1401..... WHY... IT FAIL ON JAN 16,2019 AND IN 2017 JAN.19.17 I SPENT $398.52 AND HAD GAS TANK FILLER NECK AND CANISTER VENTVALVE REPLACE.....AND AGAIN SAME CODE 2019 "P1401..HELP THKS. (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11184030
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2018
Child SeatCrashInjury
I AM A POLICE OFFICER, CRASH RECONSTRUCTIONIST, AND CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN. I WAS INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATING A SERIOUS INJURY CRASH IN WHICH A CHILD WAS IN A DOREL JUVENILE GROUP, SCENERA NEXT CONVERTIBLE SEAT. THE SEAT BROKE AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ITS INTEGRITY. THERE WAS A VERY LARGE CRACK DOWN THE SIDE FRAME, AND THE ENTIRE BAC…
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I AM A POLICE OFFICER, CRASH RECONSTRUCTIONIST, AND CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN. I WAS INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATING A SERIOUS INJURY CRASH IN WHICH A CHILD WAS IN A DOREL JUVENILE GROUP, SCENERA NEXT CONVERTIBLE SEAT. THE SEAT BROKE AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ITS INTEGRITY. THERE WAS A VERY LARGE CRACK DOWN THE SIDE FRAME, AND THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE SEAT BROKE OUT FROM WHERE THE HARNESS STRAPS COME THROUGH. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CHILD SEAT BREAK EVEN A FRACTION AS MUCH AS THIS SEAT DID, THE SEAT AND CHILD WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE BY PARAMEDICS PRIOR TO MY SEEING THE SEAT. SO I DON'T KNOW ANY DETAILS BEYOND THE FACT IT WAS INSTALLED FORWARD FACING AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. *TT *BF *TR *DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11090344
84,000 miles · Nov 25, 2017
Suspension
HAVING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY, I JACKED IT UP TO DO SOME BRAKE WORK IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS (AS WELL AS VARIOUS FRAME PARTS UNDERNEATH) ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY. WHEN LOWERING THE VEHICLE USING A FLOOR JACK (AFTER DOING THE REPAIR) THE LOWER CONTROL BROKE. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED IN MY YARD ON M…
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HAVING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY, I JACKED IT UP TO DO SOME BRAKE WORK IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS (AS WELL AS VARIOUS FRAME PARTS UNDERNEATH) ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY. WHEN LOWERING THE VEHICLE USING A FLOOR JACK (AFTER DOING THE REPAIR) THE LOWER CONTROL BROKE. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED IN MY YARD ON MY PROPERTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 84,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11048416
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND VERTEBRATES IN THE BACK, INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
NHTSA ODI #11014131
63,200 miles · Sep 15, 2016
SuspensionCrash
THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH NO INJURIES OR MAJOR DAMAGE. DRIVING 25 MILES PER HOUR ON SMALL ROAD WHEN CONTROL ARM FAILED AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #10907041
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
WHEN PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR, THE FUEL PUMP CLICKS OFF EVERY 10 CENTS OR SO AS IF THE TANK IS FULL BUT IT IS NOT. SOMETIMES THE GAS OVEN RUNS BACK OUT OF THE TANK AS IF IT IS OVERFILLED AND RUNNING OVER, BUT IT IS NOT. I LIVE IN NJ, WHICH IS ONE OF THE TWO STATES THAT HAVE FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS. AND GAS STATION ATTENDANTS CON…
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WHEN PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR, THE FUEL PUMP CLICKS OFF EVERY 10 CENTS OR SO AS IF THE TANK IS FULL BUT IT IS NOT. SOMETIMES THE GAS OVEN RUNS BACK OUT OF THE TANK AS IF IT IS OVERFILLED AND RUNNING OVER, BUT IT IS NOT. I LIVE IN NJ, WHICH IS ONE OF THE TWO STATES THAT HAVE FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS. AND GAS STATION ATTENDANTS CONSTANTLY TELL ME THAT THEY ENCOUNTER THIS PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY WITH HYUNDAI'S ALL THE TIME! THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS WITH BRAND NEW HYUNDAI MODELS AS WELL, SO IT'S NOT A PROBLEM THAT HAS IMPROVED OVER THE YEARS SINCE MY DATED 2002 MODEL. EVEN THE SERVICE TECH AT MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WAS ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH THIS DEFECT WIDELY KNOWN WITH HYUNDAI'S WHEN I SPOKE TO HIM. HE ALSO QUOTED ME A PRICE AROUND $600, WHICH HE SAID FROM HIS EXPERIENCE AS A TECHNICIAN DOESN'T GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. THERE ARE CASES OF THE PROBLEM COMING BACK AFTER THE REPAIR IS DONE! I CONTACTED HYUNDAI WITH MY CONCERNS AND TO SPECIFICALLY ASK WHY THIS WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT WAS NOT RECALLED AND I DID NOT GET A REAL ANSWER TO MY QUESTION. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. AND LOOKING AT SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED, PLUS THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO (INCLUDING HYUNDAI EMPLOYEES), THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS COMMON PROBLEM, BUT REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A DEFECT AND FIX THE ISSUE. VERY FRUSTRATING.
NHTSA ODI #10870634
92,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD LEAK FROM THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10747572
78,000 miles · May 19, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD SOMETHING SCRAPPING AND VEHICLE QUIT MOVING HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF A DANGEROUS CURVE INTO A PARKING LOT ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK OUT AS THE TOW TRUCK LIFTED IT ONTO IT'S BED. HAD TO PAY FOR THE TOW TRUCK, AND HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 6 DAYS. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE COMPANY I BOU…
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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD SOMETHING SCRAPPING AND VEHICLE QUIT MOVING HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF A DANGEROUS CURVE INTO A PARKING LOT ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK OUT AS THE TOW TRUCK LIFTED IT ONTO IT'S BED. HAD TO PAY FOR THE TOW TRUCK, AND HAD ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 6 DAYS. IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE COMPANY I BOUGHT IT FROM HAS LEFT ME WITHOUT A VEHICLE SINCE THE 6TH DAY OF MAY, AND REUSE TO FIX IT WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR IT, AND THEY ALSO KEPT MY $800 DOWN PAYMENT.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE 3-DOOR HATCHBACK EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CRITERION IN THE STANDARD MIDWAY ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT PILLAR (A-PILLAR).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN OCCUPANT'S HEAD THAT CONTACTS THE A-PILLAR DURING A CRASH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INCREASED RISK OF A HEAD INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT BRACKETS TO SUPPORT THE A-PILLAR COVERS AND INCREASE THE ENERGY ABSORBING PERFORMANCE OF THE A-PILLAR IN THE RELEVANT AREA. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Hyundai Accent Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year