2002 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews

Cheap Parts!

Written by: Shirlene on 09/15/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We bought the car because we loved the styling and we liked the fuel economy. And while I still like both, I have been faced with costly services ever since! Most annoying is that my drivers side power window keeps malfunctioning. I soon will have replaced it twice in 1 year and 1 month! Also, I had always been pleased with the "ride" of this car locally. However, when my daughter moved to a location 7 hours away and I started driving that distance, I found it almost unbearable. I'm not alone, everyone who has ridden with me at that distance is in pain. We cannot ride without pillows to prevent numbness! And that is true for people ranging in age from 35 to 70. Cute, not great!

Favorite Features

Styling.

Suggested Improvements

Make the parts more reliable - door handles and window mechanisms. Also, I have had a problem with the radio switching to the cd player mode randomly. I assume this is an electrical issue that needs to be addressed.

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Don't buy this car

Written by: Caroline on 08/23/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I would not recommend this car to anyone. It caused me nothing but problems and was a black hole to my bank account. Every time something was fixed, something else broke or needed repairs. I will never buy another Korean vehicle again because of the cheap quality of this car. I should have known better.

Favorite Features

none

Suggested Improvements

Stop trying to sell a cheap car for a cheap price because you get exactly what you pay for. Make a reliable car.

0 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Rate My Ride

Written by: Louise A. Carasone on 08/05/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have been driving my Sonata for 6 years and have little or no trouble with it. I have been keeping up the maintenance schedule and only taking it to the dealer for my service work. I now have approximately 58,000 miles on my car and the timing chain went and am now faced with rebuilding the engine, at a cost of $1,500.00, Hyundai is going to pick up the rest as a good faith gesture. I would not suggest that you keep this car past 50,000 miles. They say in the warranty 10 years or 100,000 miles. I'm not sure this car is designed to last that long. Really Bummed in Connecticut.

Favorite Features

Like the way it looks. Looks like a more expensive Jaguar.

Suggested Improvements

Possibly, a timing chain that would not destroy the engine if it goes.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Worth every dime. Best value.

Written by: Dennis on 07/29/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Paid $17,500 for it while competition was going for 19 to 22,000. Bang for the buck could not be beat. Very, very good car.

Favorite Features

Interior design, room, class. Looks like sister of Jaguar without the cost. Good mileage for a 6 cylinder.

Suggested Improvements

Rims paint peeled and 5 inch door molding paint peeled as well. Minor but should not happen.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Warranty not what they claim

Written by: Jeann on 04/18/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I absolutely loved my car. A few minor flaws, such as the interior handles needing to be replaced several times, and the armrest wasn't the most comfortable. Other than that a fantastic car. However, I now have 30,550 miles on my car and the fuel door doesn't open. (Not covered under the extend warranty that I purchased for an additional $1265.)Now the car is also due for 30,000. mi maintenance - $400., and drive belt (required) $600. Yet the car is only worth $4500-$5000. You do the math. I won't buy another!!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Affraid to get a different car

Written by: Robert on 04/18/2008

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata LX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

The 2002 Sonata was the first new car I ever bought. I've been driving it now for close to 7 years and put 137,000 miles on it. At 100,000 my brakes begin to wear out. This is the only time I've had to take it in for major work, but new brakes at 100,000 miles is normal. My Sonata drives today at 137,000 as well as it did when I drove it off the lot with 12 miles on it. I believe that in order to get any car as good as the Sonata, I will have to either get another Sonata or a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi to get the same quality that I've gotten from the 2002 Sonata. It has been nothing less than superior in all areas of performance and reliability. I Will have a very hard time replacing it.

Favorite Features

Body, engine, interior, trunk space, reliability, smooth driving, acceleration, sound system, shifttronics gear system...the list goes on and on.

Suggested Improvements

none

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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my 2002 sonata experience

Written by: rashaun on 10/18/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I have owned the car for 5 years. First let me tell you for the first 60,000 miles zero problems as long as a kept up the maint. After tho power steering pressure hose burst 560.00, ignition crank sensor failed 600.00. During this time many interior and exterior pieces started coming loose and generally looking bad. struts now bad too. 75,000 miles the timing belt fails and destroys the engine to the point where it needs a rebuild. Id ditch the car after 60k, its resale value is so low its not worth the repairs. now have a year old toyota and a six thousand dollar paper weight.

Favorite Features

warrenty even tho after 60 thousand miles youre on youre on for most stuff. good styling, interior boring but alot of options for the money pretty good value in the short term

Suggested Improvements

Better interior styling, why make a car with a timing belt that could destory the engine, hondas and toyotas dont have this problem with thier timing belts.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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I Love My Car

Written by: Stevie on 10/18/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata GLS 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I love my car. I have had things go wrong with it: replacing four window regulators, one speed input sensor, one speed output sensor, one oxygen sensor, but other than that, this car has been great in the near six years I have owned it. I love it more than the Plymouth I had before (for 14 years). It has such a comfortable interior that I can drive it for long periods of time and not get tired or sore. When I first got it in 2001, it was a big head turner and people would come up to me and go, "That's a Hyundai?!" They thought it was a Jaquar, BMW or a Mercedes. Mine is black with black/gray interior and it looks sophisticated. Still looks like new because I take good care of it.

Favorite Features

I love everything about it.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2 Litre Sonata CDX Auto. (UK Spec).

Written by: Charlie on 08/19/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata LX 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Well, what can I tell you?.......I thought long and hard before buying my Sonata, but what a good choice it was! Only things to go wrong in three years of ownership was a sensor broke down inthe engine, (easy fix warranty), and a sidelght bulb blew, 5 minute job to put right I love driving this car, and occasionally, when I am in hurry up mode, I use the "tiptronic" gear change, I have to say that this isn't very often, as I mostly prefer to drive at a more relaxed pace and let the auto do it's stuff, which it does with super smooth aplomb! So far I have 42000 on the clock, which is low mileage for the year. Great car, highly recommend!

Favorite Features

Love the retro styling of this model, to my eyes looks far more attractive than the newer models, love the interior, the seats are superbly comfortable, and the leg room, both front and rear is great. I tow my sail boat with this car, and have had no problems at all.

Suggested Improvements

Don't quite know what to say here, I mean, how do you improve on perfection??? (grin).........Well, OK, I guess we would all like to use less fuel, but to be honest, for a vehicle of it's size and HP, I don't think that the fuel economy is all that bad. Generally, I am very pleasedwith my car.

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great commuter car

Written by: ajacques on 04/02/2007

Vehicle

2002 Hyundai Sonata 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

A little too wide for a city car, and slightly sluggish on acceleration (it is not meant to be a muscle car, though). Otherwise, a great commuter/travel/hwy car. Never had any real problems, very dependable.

Favorite Features

Spacious interior, smooth ride

Suggested Improvements

Rear window is a bit small, and turning radius slightly narrow.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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