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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
116,000 miles · Jan 19, 2012
SuspensionWheels

DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DUE TO LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATING IN HALF. LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CV JOINT DRIVE SHAFT, FENDER AND ROCKER PANEL DAMAGED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE SHOWING DEFECT. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10444553

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SPEED SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS, SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS TAKING TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE PARTS WERE OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT MY MECHANIC STATED THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE EVERY TIME I HAD CHIPS REPLACED MY TRANS FLUID WAS DIRTY AND HAD TO FLUSH AGAIN AND AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO DEALER…

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FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SPEED SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS, SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS TAKING TO MY MECHANIC BECAUSE PARTS WERE OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT MY MECHANIC STATED THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE EVERY TIME I HAD CHIPS REPLACED MY TRANS FLUID WAS DIRTY AND HAD TO FLUSH AGAIN AND AGAIN. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, SAME CONCLUSION. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO REPLACE. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HYUNDAI. HYUNDAI STATED THEY WERE NOT CONTACTED BY DEALER, THIS STATEMENT WAS LATER RETRACTED BY THEM. THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. DID ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 77000 MILES AND IS ALMOST 10 YEARS. MY FUEL SYSTEM BEGAN ACTING UP EARLY 2011. CAN ONLY FILL TANK 1/4 GALLON EVERY 1MIN. THIS TAKES ME A VERY LONG TIME TO FIL1 TANK. DEALER GAVE ME A $1600 REPAIR ESTIMATE. I AM READING LITERALLY 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ON BOTH ISSUES AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO SPEAK ON THEM. THESE ARE DANGEROUS ISSUES: SENSOR CHIPS CAUSES CARS TO STALL, PARTICULARLY AT HIGH SPEEDS, IMAGINE BEING BEHIND SOMEONE GOING 60MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY THEIR CAR STALLS....CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN AND THE FUELING ISSUE CAN INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF CAR FIRES. IF THE GAS IS LEAKING OR SPILLING OUT DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP AND/OR DESIGN AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS IGNITION OF GAS SPILLING OUTSIDE INCREASES, NOT TO MENTION ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS. THESE CARS COULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS TESTING. THE MAIN ISSUE IS THAT HYUNDAI IS MISSING IN ACTION AND REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTIES. SHAME SHAME HYUNDAI. SAYING YOU OFFER A 10 YEAR WARRANTY AND ACTUALLY HONORING IT ARE 2 DIFFERENT THINGS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10425722

34,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THREE DOOR HANDLES, ASIDE FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, FRACTURED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO REPAIRS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THREE DOOR HANDLES, ASIDE FROM THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, FRACTURED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10413433

170,000 miles · May 13, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10400742

25,000 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY HYUNDAI ACCENT 02 REFUSES TO FUEL UP CONTINUALLY SHUTTING OFF AT THE PUMP 1/4 GAL AT BEST, TWENTY MINUTES TO FILL, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,,, WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT THEY TOLD ME 850.00 TO FIX IT. I TALKED WITH HYUNDAI AND THE DEALER DIDN'T DOCUMENT THE OCCURRENCE HE AND I TALKED ABOUT,…

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MY HYUNDAI ACCENT 02 REFUSES TO FUEL UP CONTINUALLY SHUTTING OFF AT THE PUMP 1/4 GAL AT BEST, TWENTY MINUTES TO FILL, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM,,, WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT THEY TOLD ME 850.00 TO FIX IT. I TALKED WITH HYUNDAI AND THE DEALER DIDN'T DOCUMENT THE OCCURRENCE HE AND I TALKED ABOUT, SOOOO I DON'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON.. PLEASE HELP. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME IN 03, PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN 07. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397021

130,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS WITH THE VEHICLES PERG FLOW SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS A CHARCOAL CANISTER THAT FILTERS GAS VAPORS FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS CANISTER HAS BECOME CLOGGED SO ON FILL UP THE FUMES CAN NOT VENT PROPERLY AND FORCES AIR BACK UP THE FILLER NECK OF THE GAS TANK AND SPRAYS GAS ALL OVER. THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS TO…

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THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS WITH THE VEHICLES PERG FLOW SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS A CHARCOAL CANISTER THAT FILTERS GAS VAPORS FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS CANISTER HAS BECOME CLOGGED SO ON FILL UP THE FUMES CAN NOT VENT PROPERLY AND FORCES AIR BACK UP THE FILLER NECK OF THE GAS TANK AND SPRAYS GAS ALL OVER. THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF BUT ALSO DANGEROUS TO EVERY PERSON IN THE AREA. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGER TO EVERYONE AND NEEDS TO B ADDRESSED

NHTSA ODI #10393561

90,000 miles · Jan 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT WITH 90,000 MILES WILL NOT ACCEPT MORE THAN A TRICKLE OF GASOLINE WITHOUT BACKING UP AND SHUTTING OFF THE GAS PUMP. THIS OCCURS DUE TO THE CHARCOAL IN THE VAPOR CANISTER EXPANDING AND BLOCKING OFF THE VENTING FROM THE GAS TANK. NOT ONLY IS THE BACK UP OF FUEL DANGEROUS, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A POLLUTION CONT…

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2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT WITH 90,000 MILES WILL NOT ACCEPT MORE THAN A TRICKLE OF GASOLINE WITHOUT BACKING UP AND SHUTTING OFF THE GAS PUMP. THIS OCCURS DUE TO THE CHARCOAL IN THE VAPOR CANISTER EXPANDING AND BLOCKING OFF THE VENTING FROM THE GAS TANK. NOT ONLY IS THE BACK UP OF FUEL DANGEROUS, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10378030

115,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDIA ACCENT. WHEN THE CONTACT ADDS FUEL TO HER VEHICLE IT COMES BACK OUT AND SPILLS ONTO THE GROUND. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE FUEL SPILLING OUT OF HER VEHICLE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDED IN SHORT INTERVALS. THE MECHANIC AND A TECHNICIAN WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10366710

40,000 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED AND COULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE VIA VOICE MAIL THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES WERE FRACTURED AND COULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE VIA VOICE MAIL THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RETURN CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ODI #10359695

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEMS FOR THE HYUNDAI ACCENT. YOU CAN CHECK SOME WEB PAGES DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM: HTTP://AUTOFORUM.CLASSIFIEDS1000.COM/HYUNDAI-ACCENT/GAS_TANK_SHUT_OFF HTTP://EN.ALLEXPERTS.COM/Q/HYUNDAI-REPAIR-815/2002-HYUNDAI-ACCENT-CHARCOAL.HTM AS SOON AS I START TO PUMP GAS, SOMETIMES IT ONLY PUMPS GAS …

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THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEMS FOR THE HYUNDAI ACCENT. YOU CAN CHECK SOME WEB PAGES DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM: HTTP://AUTOFORUM.CLASSIFIEDS1000.COM/HYUNDAI-ACCENT/GAS_TANK_SHUT_OFF HTTP://EN.ALLEXPERTS.COM/Q/HYUNDAI-REPAIR-815/2002-HYUNDAI-ACCENT-CHARCOAL.HTM AS SOON AS I START TO PUMP GAS, SOMETIMES IT ONLY PUMPS GAS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE HANDLE SHUTS OFF AS IF THE GAS TANK WERE ALREADY FULL. I SOMETIMES HAVE SOME SUCCESS PUMPING GAS INTO THE TANK BY HOLDING THE HANDLE TO PUMP RATHER THAN USING THE PIN TO KEEP THE GAS PUMPING, HOLD THE HANDLE AT A HIGHER ANGLE AND KIND OF PUSH THE NOZZLE INTO THE GAS TANK OPENING WITH MORE PRESSURE, BUT EVEN WITH THESE MANEUVERS IT SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF AFTER A SHORT TIME AND I HAVE TO KEEP RESTARTING THE GAS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS OFF EVERY FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES A LITTLE LONGER BUT IT IS VERY ANNOYING. I ASKED MY DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $200 JUST TO CHECK IT OUT AND THEN EXTRA TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348465

Official recalls

1

02V167000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.