2002 Hyundai Accent Consumer Reviews

Great Car for the Price

Written by: Christopher E on 01/13/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I had this car for about 4 months before it was totaled in an accident (thankfully not my fault). I drove it mainly on my commute to college, and had no problems while I drove it. I got about 30 mpg average. I'm about 6'2", so leg room is a big deal for me, but I never felt cramped in my Accent. In my accident I a man ran a red light in front of me, tearing up the whole front of the car. But I was completely unharmed even though the car was totaled. Overall I really liked my Accent and would recommend it to anyone, if not for the gas mileage, then for the safety.

Favorite Features

I came through a dangerous accident without a scratch. Plenty of leg room. Good gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

I replaced the CD player/radio myself, which was harder than I thought it should be. But other than that I have no complaints.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Save your Money

Written by: Unhappy on 01/08/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The car ran great when I bought it in 2003. It had a relatively smooth ride, and could accelerate pretty fast. The problems started in 2006. First the RMPs would jump up pretty high when at a complete stop. I almost hit another car the 1st time it happened. I took it to the dealership, and they said I had voided my warranty by off roading. The most my car had seen of the wild was a gravel driveway. I took the car to a mechanic after that he looked at it and tried to fix the problem. I made it about 15 miles before it started again, but this time, I started hearing a loud metal banging metal noise. I called the mechanic back and they told me to bring it back ASAP, and not to drive it, but ha

Favorite Features

For the 1st 3 years everything. I loved everything about the car when it was working.

Suggested Improvements

Better quality control. There is no reason a car that is maintaied should ever have major problem.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Not Bad For $8900

Written by: Mars on 11/24/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bout this car in august '03. It had 15000 miles on it at that point. Now (Nov '07) it's at 102000, and I have had my first tranny problem. None of my service was done at the dealership. I don't trust dealers so no one touches my car other than my regular mechanic. With regular oil changes (and tranny fluid changes every 30000 or so) it's run well for me. had the plugs and wires changed around 50000 and had a problem with the rear brake hardware somewhere in there. I've actually been really pleased with this car. It's made several trips back home (1200 miles twice a year) and only just now conked out. I can accept a tranny problem at 100000, hope it's not an expensive fix.

Favorite Features

gas mileage!! averaged over 30 MPG and whenever it went down a bottle of fuel injector cleaner cleared it right up.

Suggested Improvements

The brakes have never been great and the back seat is useless for adult passengers. Check engine light would come on whenever gas mileage would drop but injector cleaner solved it every time. wierd and a little scary at first.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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'02 Accent - great car for the money

Written by: Lori on 11/09/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I just resisted the urge to trade in my 2002 Accent largely because it is so much fun to drive and has been so reliable for me. At 80,000 miles "Little Red" is still zipping along merrily. Average MPG in the high twenties for city driving. Totally agree that the standard tires should be jettisoned ASAP. Like all Hyundais this Accent runs and drives (and on the inside, looks) like a more expensive vehicle. Exterior styling is a bit on the dumpy side, but hey, you can't have everything. This Accent is a terrific buy, especially at a used price.

Favorite Features

5-speed manual transmission provides extra oomph when you need it. Smooth ride and acceleration.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders were inconveniently placed on this model but this has been corrected in newer models.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Not a Bad Little Car

Written by: EricD on 08/27/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GS 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've owned it for 5 years now and for a 10,600 price tag out the door I can't complain. The only problem has been a recurring censor problem that causes the engine to putt and not shift, followed by check engine light that stays on for about 2 days. When the problem occurs I restart the engine and the car is fine. A little over 72,000 miles on the car and it's been happening sporatically since about 50,000. Only changed the battery, tires, timing belt, water pump, brakes obviously and fluids. Up until now preventive maintenance is all. Air conditioning and heat work well and the gas mileage is good on the automatic although I did expect better, much better on gas on highway.

Favorite Features

Actually not as slow as I thought it would be. Pick up is slower than most other cars but what do you expect. Smooth ride until about 70 when it feels like an earthquake is happening. Very roomy in the back for a small car and the hatchback holds a lot of cargo.

Suggested Improvements

My only concern is the censor problem, but i'm not sure if it's limited to my car and not other Hyundai owners. I hear the warranty people/mechanics don't like fixing problems unless you let them service it every single time. I would but the dealership charges a lot more than most private shops.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Liked it at first...but not anymore

Written by: AL on 08/21/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GS 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

First car I've owned, bought new. For the first few years it ran fine, only minor problems with the "check engine" light, which seemed to come on repeatedly. It was usually due to a "sensor" of some type. Only once did this affect performance. However, since the end of the 5-year warranty last fall, I've had nothing but problems. It seems like everything has broken all at once! First it was the instrument panel (light flickers; dealer unable to fix even after replacing it), then the engine light again (dealer "fixed" THREE TIMES - and charged me for each - in 2 weeks). Now the window is stuck down and will cost $400 to fix. I can't wait to get rid of this car! Don't buy a Hyundai.

Favorite Features

Good gas mileage, decent sound system (although the CD player broke when only 3 years old). Decent short-term car, but don't expect much longer-term.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Good at first- Didn't last long!

Written by: L Hecker on 07/31/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car was great for about the first year only. If that! I had a major problem with my transmission in the first year. They told me that I was lucky it was covered under warranty because it would have cost me an arm and a leg! The next major problem was the brake light - apparently their was another major problem with the engine. It served the purpose of taking me from point A to point B in the city. I commute and I DO NOT recommend this vehicle to commuters! After commuting for 1 1/2 years the car broke down left me stranded twice. I put so much money into this car because the parts are soooo expensive for such an inexpensive car! The gas mileage is about the one good thing.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Better defrosting in rain and winter as the wipers would frost up. Better Cd and sound system. More quality engine that will last for the everyday commuter. You get what you pay for cheap car cheap quality.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Hyundai - Best vehicle ever

Written by: Hyundai Number 1 on 04/01/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This vehicle now has 122,831 miles on it and has only had the brake pads replaced and oil changes. There has never been any problems at all - Hyundai is the #1 non luxury import brand in America - rated higher in initial quality than overpriced Honda and Toyota. If you are looking for the best price, best car and best manufacturer - you owe it to yourself to buy a Hyundai

Favorite Features

Very reliable - great gas mileage - plenty of room for driver and passengers. I couldnt be happier - Hyundai is the best manufacturer out there. Absolutely amazing - Hard to believe they are $2000 - $3000 less than Honda and Toyota -

Suggested Improvements

Only thing I could say is that they should have a First time buyers program. That would help introduce new drivers to this great brand.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Premature transmission & engine failure

Written by: TD on 03/25/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GS 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car was good for the first few years then fell apart! Transmission started ti disconnect & buck. Took to dealership at 85000 KMS when this happend-and they just changed the fluid, told me the car would be fine. But it wasn't! Hyundai didn't want to fix the car at all! Had to fight to get them to cover just the part (paid labour). Then the timing belt went prematurely at 91000 KMS, and did almost $2000 damage to the engine. Hyundai insists there is no problem with their vehiles even though there was a TSB announcement on the 2002 Accents transmissions! The sensors had to be replace on my car too at 80000 kms.

Favorite Features

None

Suggested Improvements

Initial quality has improved greatly on Hyundai, but they turn into a mechanical nightmare after 5yrs. The 2006 Sonata got raving reviews for initial quality, but now there is a recall on the steering-totall loss of steering may occur at as little as 30,000 KMS do to poor design/quality.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Dealers are rip-offs

Written by: KK on 02/21/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Accent GL 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Previously, I wrote my review about the transmission braking at 69,000 miles and the dealer said they won't honor the warranty because the transmission wasn't flushed. I went to AAMC for a replacement and paid $2800. I wrote a letter to Hyundai Corp. telling them what happened. I received a call from the corp. office. After I sent all the documentation to prove I still owned the car and the receipt from AAMCO, I received a check for the full amount I paid for the transmission. I found that it's not the Hyundai Manufacturer, it's the DEALER that rips people off. If you have any problems, go directly to the manufacter not the dealer!

Favorite Features

The car is compfortable for long trips, good gas milage. Looks great. Fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

They need to use a better quality transmission. I've been hearing about quite a few transmission problems with these cars.

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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