IllustrationTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF ON THE VEHICLE AND SHE HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. SHE ALSO SMELLED BURNING WIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,999 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
2002 Hyundai Accent
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Accent years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Accent are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Accent years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Steering complaints
4 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RUBBING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. SHE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES AS NOTED IN REC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RUBBING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. SHE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES AS NOTED IN RECALL # 96V113000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
GOING DOWN A HILL, MY NIECE SUDDENLY COULD NOT STEER HER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN 3 TEENAGE DEATHS, AND 3 SERIOUS INJURIES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AXLE HAD A CLEAN BREAK IN IT.THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS ALSO MANGLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THE SPINDLES WERE BROKEN, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. *JB *TS
Official recalls
102V167000 · Structure:frame And Members
Jun 25, 2002
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.