Used 2002 Hyundai Sonata Consumer Reviews
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Ageless Looking & Sporty
The one thing all buyers should be aware of and this goes for many cars from 1995 to 2008 is that many, even Acura used timing belts. Many of these cars engines are Interference engines which means extremely close tolerances. So, if the timing belt breaks (It will give no warning) , most likely it will destroy your engine. If the engine is non-interference (many 1995 to 2000 were) it means your walking and need to get your car towed, and looking at a $700 repair to reinstall the belt. So, if you are intent to buy one and don't know if that belt was replace, then you must replace it soon or gamble on losing your engine. The 2002 V-6 Sonata I bought looked almost brand new in and out , underneath and even the engine bay. (I know dealers clean them, but the car was well pampered.) I paid a bit more but this car was outstanding. Not one ding on the car, no accidents , EC interior, and only one very small minor scratch (about an inch ) on the bumper. Pearl White. I did own a 2002 4 cyl long ago and I never had a problem with it. I also own a 2013 Elantra Limited and like that as well. I know it's early in the process but I put about 550 miles on it so far, and no complaints and very happy. There is a lot of junk out there in that price range. I had Toyota's and they are wonderful reliable cars and would have bought another had the price been right. Anyway, In its present condition it hard to think there will be problems popping up soon, but then again, its relatively new and it is a 14 year old car, but I can tell somethings were replace like the A/C , and front brakes etc. I wrench on cars so I can do somethings when they do come up. I would say the idle is not the smoothest but once in drive it is pretty quiet and a very comfortable soft ride. Quiet in park as well. Tires look almost new, and exhaust doesn't seem that old, so it's relatively quiet, accept upon acceleration. It emits a growl, which sounds kinda like dual exhaust so its not too troubling. No it's not as quiet as my new car on acceleration but hey, it is 14 years old. Power is decent at 170 HP. Handling is good, and visibility is real good. Brakes are firm. Everything works well, including Power sunroof. Dash looks brand new , and its beige in color. I can tell this car spent a lot of time in the garage and not in the sun. Paint shines! I saw many articles on the rear brakes and how they made lock up. Yes, I think the design was bad. I did take the rear wheels off, and I believe the problem is the metal slide clips they use are a bad design. I sanded down those slides, and also the edge of the pads, and used high temp grease to ensure movement. I just want to avoid possible problems since it seems this was a concern. It's not hard to do this.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent value when new, even better as preowned
I bought my 2002 Hyundai Sonata new, driving 100 miles from my home to the dealer who had the color and options I wanted. Overall, this car has been excellent. It now has 190,000 miles on it and I can honestly say the problems that I have had have been minimal. Those issues include a bad oxygen sensor, a power steering leak and the starter replaced, all of these things after 120,000 miles. I will admit that I have not been as maintenance conscious as I should have been, but despite that, she continues to run like a champ.
- LX SedanMSRP: $2,950253 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $600540 mi away
- GLS SedanMSRP: $9,490571 mi away
Power Steering Hose Issue
Well, I've been starting to have power steering fluid leaking all over the place. Took a look up under the car and the high pressure power steering hose is spitting out a lot of fluid. Judging from these reviews this is a very common problem with sonatas. Usually seems to happen around 100K (my 2002 has 105K on it). Definitely a design flaw, but don't know if it meets criteria for a class action. Would do this myself to save some $ but can't really save that much as this is a dealer part that's about $300. I'll let the techs install as I'm sure they've done plenty and the labor (although it's not a 2 second job) is not the brunt of the cost.
Best car I've owned in my 39 years!
I bought one for $10,000 w/29k miles. I wrecked it at 142k miles. At 40mph, I T-boned an SUV, and it still started, but Esurance totaled it. :( The water pump died at around 80k, covered. Between 100k & 142k, I replaced the front wheel bearings in 2011 (I drove offroad a few times), battery, alternator, rear brake calipers. That's it, nothing else major went wrong. Minor things the past year or two, tape deck died, radio display flickers (I have Sirius, so that doesn't matter), antenna only goes half-way up.
Calling all recalls
Like most cars, the 2002 Sonata has its recalls and defects, at first this car was rated very high in customer satisfaction and industry standards, for the most part this still holds true despite recall defects... what i find interesting about the bad features of this vehicle is not that it's a bad car but that simply stated, The only thing bad about this car is mainly small recall issues in its performace design. what i really like about the company is thats they are quick to investigate any problems with this car to fix any malfunctions free of cost...5 stars here..thats called trust!
Not such a good car
This wasn't my car, it was my mom's and I hated driving it. Parts would wear out constantly. At about 80k miles driving to work, the timing belt snapped and destroyed some critical engine parts. The engine had to be torn apart and rebuilt, along with a new water pump costing almost $1200. Later on that year, the water pump had to be replaced again, the CV joints had to be replaced, new alternator, and new spark plugs all before 90K miles. Once it passes 100K miles, we got all sorts of weird noises such as a shrieking engine that is the worst when driving in the rain. The ride was very uncomfortable with almost no padding in the seats.
Original owner to Feb 2019 !!
I am an original owner of my 2002 Hyundai Sonata. It's 2.7 V-6 engine has the same cool growl as day one. A head turner then and now. I have 178k miles on it. I still drive it and actually just cleaned it up yesterday. I loved it when I bought it to this day. For 17 years I've had it. Ride is still comfortable, great visibility and all power controls including sunroof still work !.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A great car
I have had a 4 cylinder 2002 Sonata since new in 2002. It is as good looking a car as is any on the road, it has been absolutely reliable. I have had no costs associated with repairs to the car. I am 70 years of age, and hope to drive this car for another ten years. It has just over 60,000k.
RUN don't walk!!!
We bought this car second hand from an owner who did maintain the car and brought it in for all recalls. We have owned it for 4yrs and have only put on 20,000km's. Within the first year of having it, wheel bearings needed to be changed. Then it started to spudder, shorted out and died in the driveway. Turns out there is a problem with the battery connectors and one had almost completely rotted off. I have heard of this issue with these cars. During this escapade it blew the main fuse of the car which was hard to find. Now the transmission is finished, the catalytic converter(S) need to be changed, yes there are 3 on this car and it will cost you 2000+ to change them, there is electrical
Hasn't cost me a cent in repairs
I've owned this car for 8 years and other than oil changes and brakes, it hasn't cost me a cent. There was only one minor steering problem a few years ago, which was covered under warranty. It still rides like new. I would keep this car forever, but I'm ready to try out a Hyundai Santa Fe. Hands down, best car I've ever owned, and I've owned quite a few over the years.
(Sadly) Owning is Believing
Good first impressions of the car. It rides very comfortably and quietly. Alot of car for the money. BUT be prepared to know your service writer on a first name basis. Mine proved to be very problematic. Brakes (front and rear) power windows (both front windows, twice) various rattles etc. Worst, I had a continuing engine cutout problem that finally caused me to file for the "lemon law" in my state. Hyundai Motor America was not helpful in any way. BEWARE!! You DO get what you pay for. Mine is now gone at 22000 miles.
New Transmission at 87,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the first Hyundai I have owned. It is an '02 w/87,000 miles. It needs a entire new transmission, which the dealer said would cost $2800. I have owned Ford, Chrysler and Jeep vehicle and never had a problem of this magnitude. The ford even has 223,00o miles. When I took it to the dealer the first time the check engine light came on AutoZOne told me it was a Shift Control Solenoid code.
Brake problems plague Sonata
I thought the sonata would be a great investment - I thought more bang for the buck. I was wrong. I am having consistent problems with the brakes on this car. The brake pedal locks up and renders brakes unusable. After numerous visits to the dealership - it is still not fixed. This car is not reliable, defective and unsafe. Engine is noisy overall, as well. My advice? Get a Toyota!
Don't buy this car
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.
2002 Sonata
Good commuter car, not so great mpg but manageable. Some issues were fixed under warranty; water pump, front window motor replaced and complete instrument panel replaced because of a broken fuel gauge, so reflected mileage is actually less than actual. The cons: front right brakes were replaces but always squeaks, timing belt jumped and damaged the timing sensor before 60k miles and transmission speed sensor went out at 64k mi which cost me $950 and $350 respectively. Dealer said it was not covered under drivetrain warranty, would have wanted to keep this car but problems are starting to pop out.
Few small problems
Drum brakes problem around 8,000 miles (dispute with dealership) Head light(warranty) Battery failure(warranty) Vibrating(steering wheel and chair) (disputed and not resolved, but will check on other dealership) (service center: Freeman Hyundai)
The smooth sedan
This vehicle is reliable, but repairs will cost you. I recommend taking it in for regular maintenance to avoid costly mechanical repairs after 100,000. The engine and transmission are dependable and it will start up in cold weather. The engine coil went bad and that cost a pretty penny. It's not the slickest ride but it drives nice and gets you from A to B. It's pretty fast on the highway and keeps steady hold to the road. It handles nicely in the snow, but careful of the ice, it will get stuck easily even with snowtires. It sits low to the ground so in the snow you'll need some good glove and a shovel to get out.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Cheap Parts!
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!
Do not buy
I have a 99 sonata. The reliability of this car sucks... I cannot remember a 3 month time span that this car has not been in the shop for something. The airbag light comes on 1 every 6 months, the oxygen sensors keep going out. There are 3 of them. Now after 60000 miles, the wheel bearing in the back tires have gone and it cost over 300 to replace the bearing as they do not sell only the bearing. It is the whole wheel mounting. And since it is front wheel drive the rear bearings are not covered by the power train warentee.
Solid Car
My Sonata now has 130,000 miles on it and repairs are starting to add up. I bought it brand new and have to say up until now, it has been a good purchase. My O2 sensor went out a few times, but was covered by the warranty. The power antennae broke but covered by warranty. The interior door handles also started to peel, but was covered by a recall. At about 75,000 the paint started to bubble on the roof of the car, and at 120,000, the power steering line started to leak, which cost around $300 to fix. The speedometer and cruise control just went out at 130,000, so who knows how much that will be. The car does ride nice and handles beautiful though, maintenance is expensive but would buy again.
my 2002 sonata experience
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.
Rate My Ride
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.
My " Good Girl Nelly"
We bought the Sonata off a well known car lot in Charleston WV. It was almost knew, only 56,000 miles I think and 3 years old. But before we bought the car, I had seen them advertised on TV. I thought what a beautiful car and spoke with my husband many times of how much I would love to own one! Couldn't believe my eyes when we saw it on the lot! We still have it at 18 yrs old. It has 257,000 miles on it and the engine has as much power as it did when we bought it. Repairs have been made. Like anything there is always upkeep and replacements to be done. The main belt is changed every 50,000 miles. ( As we were told that is about the life of the belt) Oil is changed regularly. (About every 35,000 miles with high mileage oil) I'll keep my "Good Girl Nelly" until I am in the grave or her first!
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
So far, not good
Some problems with this car have appeared in the first 7000 miles. First, the sticker states MPG as 22/28. I drive using the cruise control on highways, and never travel more than 3 or 4 miles above the posted speed limit. My MPG has been 16 city, 21 highway. Second, there are no window gutters on the doors. Get in your car in the morning when the car is covered in dew, roll down the windows and watch the water drip onto your leather seats. Third and most important, after 3500 miles the engine developed a very loud valve rattle. It now sounds like a 6 year old car. Unfortunately, "it sounds like crap" is not covered under the warranty.
Super car !
Sonata was my first car. I have driven many cars as rentals or those that belong to friends, including Ford mustang, oldsmobile alero, chrysler sebring, dodge neon, ford taurus and toyota avalon. I think Sonata beats all these other cars hands down. The audio for a 2002 model is quite good, the looks (i think!) are extraordinary, the drive is smooth as butter. After more than 100,000 miles of driving I can say that its been quite reliable. I haven't used the 100,000 mile road-side assistance at all except once when my old batteries ran out while it was sitting in my driveway. Its time to buy my second car and Sonata 2010 is one of my first choices for the test-drive. Great job,Hyunda!
Horrible
This car was honestly the worst thing I could have purchased. I spent a lot of money just to buy it and then ended up having to spend thousands of dollars to fix it the next week after purchase. Although gas mileage was great I would rather have something that would burn through gas then this. It was not reliable and had a mind of its own.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
shake rattle and vear off the road
test drove this car on the suggestion of a friend it was NOT at all what was promised, all the while the sales person is sitting next to me talking up the car, especially the warranty, but I don't think I would ever keep this car around long enough to even tap the warranty, it is dull car that has shakes and creaks new
GREAT
EXCELLENT VEHICLE IN AND OUT WITH GREAT PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING. THE CHANGES THEY MADE WERE EXCELLENT.
2001hyundia
Bought for value with features? Was leary at first? After one year of driving it and with a few long trips under its belt I fell in love with it. I have a trailer hitch attached and found it quite capable of pulling a decent size load. Gas mileage city around 23 mpg (imperial) highway average is around 35 mpg (imperial) Only problem I had is when getting gas filled up If the gas cap isn't turned tight enough the check engine light comes on and It's a trip to the dealer to fix it.Dealer excellent!!!
Solid Transportation But
I now have 94K miles and the car has provided 100% reliable transportation. Most reliable car I've ever owned. BUT - the electric antenna never worked right from day one, the clock goes on and off and I can't turn the radio off. It keeps coming on at random times. Love the car, it drives wonderfully, very comfortable, no repairs except oil and tires. Good mileage. Still looks shiny and new. The Rick Case purchasing experience was horrible (very manipulative) and their service dept isn't any better. They charged me $460 to do back breaks but only did one and charged me for both. Found a work light hanging from my car when I got home! I'll buy another Sonata soon but not from them.
NOT BAD SO FAR
SO FAR SO GOOD, PICK THE CAR UP MARCH 24,02 BOUGHT A BASE SONATA WITH A V6,AUTO FOR 16.038.00 + TAX TITLE, IN DESERT SAND,TRADED IN A 98 BONNIVIEW, NICE CAR TO BIG FOR WIFE. WE LEASED TWO MAZDA 626 FOR 6 YEARES,TOOK A USED 626 01 FOR A TEST DRIVE,THEN TOOK A SONATA 4CY AND 6CY FOR TEST RIDE. WHAT A DIFFRENCE IN RIDE,EVEN 4CY WAS QUITE COMPARED TO 626,BETTER HANDILING ALL AROUND BETTER CAR. WIFE LOVES CAR, STILL BRAKING IN. AS FOR ABS BRAKES,I HAVE HAD TWO CAR'S WITH THEM AND I WOULD NEVER WOULD BUY A CAR WITH THEM! TAKE A TEST DRIVE AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK.
Endures well! Great value for longevity
Reliable car. Trusted and rode for over a decade. The brakes are not very sensitive though. And the radio/CD compartment has had issues the last few years though. The door handles' paint also wear off. It was a manufacturer error for this model.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Good Vehicle
I have been driving the car for 7 years and have almost 70K. So far no major problems, brakes and tires, kept up with the Maintenance schedule. Little things like the clock has been replaced and still does not work right, drivers side wiper keeps coming loose and have to carry wrench to tighten. Had to replace the antenna would not work in freezing temps. The car has lots of power and can keep with the best of them. I average about 20 around town and to be honest never checked it on a trip. I would buy another hyundai without any hesitation, but now looking at at Acura, want to upgrade a little. Seats and interior all has held up well
I like it, but...
I started leasing Sonata 1.5 month ago. I expected it's going to be easy on gas, but as it turned out it's not. I had owened Buick Lesabre 1989 and found that both consume gas evenly. Buick with 3.8 engine and 250,000km and Sonata with 2.7 and 3000km. I like stepping on gas but this car doesn't inspire you to put gloves on. The rest is perfect. I can't say anything about reliabilty so far. We'll see. The price, the features and the look are great.
V6 sonata
I have the V6 & PWR moonroof options.The car looks great and rides nice, the V6 gives it excellent speed and makes merging easy. The windshield defroster is a little slow but the AC is great. The fold down rear seats are a great addition. I would recomend the Auto. but I would stick with the 6 cyl.
hyundia
well i felt it was a nice vehicle
A Fine Family Sedan
We were looking for a new car for winter driving b/c we also own a 2001 BMW. Test drive Hondas, Toyotas, Mazda. For a comparably equipped Japanese car we'd have to pay more. Never thought about a Huyndai. Almost bought a Protoge until seeing the Sonata in the dealer's lot. One test drive and we were sold. The car has been flawless. I am extremely glad I got this car.
Is Driving Believing?
While I've only owned my Sonata (Black LX)for a month, I'd put it up against my wife's 2000 Honda Accord any day. The handling is responsive and sporty for a midsize sedan, the ride is smooth and quiet and the acceleration is more than I expected from only 218 horsepower. I have a fairly long commute and this engine provides better than expected power, coupled with good gas mileage for 6 cylinders.
First Time Hyundai Owner
Only one problem, the silver trim fell off during a long trip.
Best car owned
I have over 140,000 miles on my car and so far I've only replaced minor parts due to wear and tear. Its very reliable and easy to repair for the do-it-themselves type. Parts are cheap and durable. I expect to at least drive another 100,000 before considering another car.
silver beauty
Bought a 2000 Sonota in Sept. 2000. The car is great. Sun roof, wood trim, etc. The performance is very good and the car gets 29.5 mpg on a trip with 4 adults, luggage, air on and driving 70. Big negative. The dealer was terrible. The sales manager was a thief. I knew the facts and stood my ground and got a good deal. The car was worth the hassle.
Good Car
I purchased my car brand new back in 2002. It now has 123,000 miles on it and I'm now just experiencing a few problems. The power steering line is leaking power steering fluid. From other reviews, it seems like this is a common problem and should possibly be a recall because of a poor design flaw. The paint is also peeling on my roof. A few other minor complaints were the antennae broke, but it was still under warranty, the O2 sensor went out a few times and chrome inside door handles peeled, all covered by a recall. Also, the maintenance is a bit pricey. Now for the good. It handles great and has such a smooth ride. No major problems the first 7 years of ownership. I'll buy a Hyundai again.
Great car. I would buy another one
We bought car with 11,000. We have 98,000 miles and only minor repairs. Runs great and gets great mpg. Rides great, shifts smooth. Not a lot of horsepower ( 4 cylinder , 140 hp) but I love the idea of 30 mpg in a mid-size car. I will run this on into the ground. No reason to sell it.
Best kept automotive secret!
I have owned Nissans and Toyotas but the 2002 Sonata is by far the best car for the dollar I have ever owned. My initial enthusiasm has not worn off. I only wonder why Hyundai doesn't spend more bucks on national advertising..they sure have the car that more people need to know about. I rate it a 9.8!
Best Buy for a 4passenger V6
The styling had quite a few total strangers stop by and ask ne what brand is it. Front view does allude to the classy "Jaguar" styling ... Problem with transmission in the first week (apparently common with Hyudai) Good stereo (sadly popular amongst car burglars). Fun to floor it and very comfortable 3-6 hr drives ... After 8000 miles: Aptly compares to most import I rode in... The V6 + Shiftronic help for "tightly timed traffic light" + winters... Max speed of 122 MPH easily attainable. 4 discs brakes need getting used to. V6 purrs (the 4 cyl has an high pitch whine on accelaration). VERY VERY HAPPY DRIVER !!! *3* Thumbs up!!!
Stylish comfortable ride at a great pric
I bought my 2002 Sonata after doing quite a bit of research and so far I love it. Very smooth and quite ride and very classy design with many features standard. I got a Silver GLS with moonroof. Couldn't find one with abs. Payed $17,200 plus tax. I wanted a six cylinder for accelleration on the mountain passes and I'm not disappointed. Was able to easily do 80 going over the passes with power to spare. Others have commented that it looks like a jag, a lexus and a mercedes. I'm still in the first thousand miles so time will tell how reliable it will be, but they back it with a great warranty. So far, I love it!
My first car in this country
I bought this car from a dealer when the Odometer reading was about 72K. Since then I have driven less than 3K. Like the car's style and pickup on the signals. It leaves almost every car in the rear view! I have tried that with cars like Lexus, BMW, Toyota and Honda and my Sonata picks up faster than all of them! The maintenance is costly for this car and I have changed the Alternator (about $500), Power Steering Pressure Hose (about $450) and general maintenance. The car's engine gives some noise which a mechanic couldn't figure out why. I need to take that to dealership (again $$$). Also the Air bag signal has turned Red which only dealer can see ($$$). So expensive drive for 3K travel.
I Get Many Compliments
I get only positive comments and compliments from friends and family. Two friends (so far) now want to go out and purchase a Sonata. Very attractive European styling. Fit and finish are excellent. At a distance, appears to be a much more expensive car. Engine is quiet and smooth. Rear seats are comfortable enough for two large adults. Dealer was excellent and not at all pushy. You can't find a better bargain than the Sonata. The best vehicle purchase I have ever made.
Great value for the money
I've had my red 2002 LX (fully loaded) since November, and its been nothing but a positive experience. I highly recommend getting the LX: the leather seats have been very durable, despite the abuse they have taken my two dogs. In fact, the seats still look brand new! Even our New Beetle's leather seats looked shabby after a month or two. I still get a kick out of people staring at my car! Also note that although the outside styling is very different with this model, the engine has not been remodified too much, which cuts down on the risk unexpected suprises. This was a big selling point for me.
I can't believe I got all this...
1100 miles. I've got the "I can't believe I got all this for such a small price" feeling. GLS is sporty. V6 has plenty of power, makes a beautiful sporty sound when it revs a little higher. 16-inch wheels and Michelins give control and confidence, even in rain. Shiftronic is great fun. 4 wheel disc brakes. CD/tape/AM/FM has great controls, big buttons, and nice sound. Power antenna, heated mirrors, keyless entry, leather wrapped steering wheeel, theater lighting, fog lights. Firm comfortable seats, nice fabric. Powerful A/C. Faux wood is well done. Front doors close with nice 'thunk'.