2002 Hyundai Accent recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. 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).
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2002 ACCENT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Hyundai dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V167000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-633-5151.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2002 Hyundai Accent owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Transmission / drivetrain (27), Fuel system (26), Gasoline (18), Airbags (16), Brakes (16).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/11/2024 · Fuel system
Purchased car 2002 in Arizona. About 2009 when the check engine light came on and when filling the car with gas the pump would stop after less than .25 gallons pumped. It takes greater than 20 minutes to fill the tank and many times the auto shut off fails and I end up being sprayed gasoline. This is a personal safety issue as well as an enviromental hazard…
09/09/2019 · Unknown Or Other
ALL CARS AND TRUCKS WITH YELLOW FOGGY HEADLAMP LENSES SHOULD BE RECALLED ? WHEN THEY WERE GLASS AND ONLY $ 5.00 THEY DIDN'T TURN YELLOW . THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NITE. !! YOU PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB KEEPING US SAFE!
03/04/2019 · Fuel system
I GOT THIS CAR IN 2015 AND IT KEEP FAILING THE STATE OF OHIO VECHICLE INSPECTION E-CHECK TEST AND THE SAME CODE KEEPS COMING UP..... P1401..... WHY... IT FAIL ON JAN 16,2019 AND IN 2017 JAN.19.17 I SPENT $398.52 AND HAD GAS TANK FILLER NECK AND CANISTER VENTVALVE REPLACE.....AND AGAIN SAME CODE 2019 "P1401..HELP THKS. (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE B…
04/26/2018 · Child seat · crash
I AM A POLICE OFFICER, CRASH RECONSTRUCTIONIST, AND CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN. I WAS INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATING A SERIOUS INJURY CRASH IN WHICH A CHILD WAS IN A DOREL JUVENILE GROUP, SCENERA NEXT CONVERTIBLE SEAT. THE SEAT BROKE AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ITS INTEGRITY. THERE WAS A VERY LARGE CRACK DOWN THE SIDE FRAME, AND THE ENTIRE BACK OF THE SEAT BROKE OUT FROM…
11/25/2017 · Suspension
HAVING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY, I JACKED IT UP TO DO SOME BRAKE WORK IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS (AS WELL AS VARIOUS FRAME PARTS UNDERNEATH) ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY. WHEN LOWERING THE VEHICLE USING A FLOOR JACK (AFTER DOING THE REPAIR) THE LOWER CONTROL BROKE. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED IN MY YARD ON MY PROPERTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS…
08/10/2017 · Airbags · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 HYUNDAI ACCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CONTACT BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM A…
09/15/2016 · Suspension · crash
THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH NO INJURIES OR MAJOR DAMAGE. DRIVING 25 MILES PER HOUR ON SMALL ROAD WHEN CONTROL ARM FAILED AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL.
05/24/2016 · Fuel system
WHEN PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR, THE FUEL PUMP CLICKS OFF EVERY 10 CENTS OR SO AS IF THE TANK IS FULL BUT IT IS NOT. SOMETIMES THE GAS OVEN RUNS BACK OUT OF THE TANK AS IF IT IS OVERFILLED AND RUNNING OVER, BUT IT IS NOT. I LIVE IN NJ, WHICH IS ONE OF THE TWO STATES THAT HAVE FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS. AND GAS STATION ATTENDANTS CONSTANTLY TELL ME THAT THEY ENC…