3 Star Reviews for 2002 Hyundai Elantra

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.56/5 Average
300 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

Hyundai's Elantra sedan was redesigned last year, but the big news for 2002 is the release of the GT version, an all-new five-door hatchback that boasts such upscale standard equipment as a leather-trimmed interior, European suspension tuning, four-wheel disc brakes, 15-inch wheels, foglamps and a CD player. In September 2002, Hyundai announced that it had misstated the horsepower ratings for all of the models in its lineup -- the Elantra is now rated at 135 hp, rather than 140. To compensate, the company is offering owners (of 2000 models and newer) three options: 10 years of roadside assistance, 6-year/72,000-mile basic warranty coverage or 12-year/120,000-mile powertrain coverage.

Pros:
  • Solidly built, powerful engine for its class, plenty of standard features, ultra-low price tag.
Cons:
  • Funky front styling details.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 300.00
  • Okay until the end - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I brought the car in 2007 with 32,000. Besides needing to take it in after a couple of months because of a bad transmission range switch, it was good just needed normal maintenance. I sold it a couple of days of ago because at 1116,000 miles the transmission started to slip which a any transmission work would cost more than the car was worth. Overall considering the age of the car and the fact that it was in the rust belt, it was pretty good.

  • Not Satisfied - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I purchased my car with 7 miles on it, I now have 85k and for the first 4 years was happy with it. Lately, I had to replace the transmission, rotors & brakes, battery , lights, radiator, alternator, and a few other things. This with making all scheduled maintenance appointments. This car is only good when its new, once you pass the four year mark, be ready to put some dough into it! Im getting rid of mine, never to buy another one!

  • Not my first pick - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    This car was ok at first. Nothing fancy although its always been terribly uncomfortable on your back. The leather seats are hard and have never softened up. Now at 75K miles all four struts need to be replaced and there is a weird humming from the rear end. It leaks water going through the car wash - always has. Some rust on the rear wheel well, thought it would have held up better than that, but maybe because of the salty winter roads. Have replaced all the brake pads and tires, to be expected. The clear coat is chipped up pretty bad on the hood from gravel? I waxed it (black) and every pit showed up white from the wax. Oh and the hatchback struts? wont keep the hatch open anymore-Annoying

  • Worst Car EVER!!!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I bought this car for my daughter in-law on October 31, 2009. The worst mistake ever. The salesman said this was such a good car. Had not owned it a month when check engine light came on. It needed a new head gasket, water pump, timing chain, valve cover gasket. Since all this work it developed an oil leak when it is drove on a trip, must be a high pressure leak. Hyundai dealership does not have good enough mechanics to figure it out. I will never buy another Hyundai. I will always stick with a Toyota or Honda.

  • cant beat price/value - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I hate to buy cars but found the elantra a reasonable investment. This is my 3rd elantra and will probably buy another if the price remains at the same level. Getting a CD, power locks,windows,and mirrors plus a great warranty for this price will keep me coming back.

  • Rattle Trap - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    The car makes more noises driving down the freeway than any car I have owned. After taking to dealer several times to try to stop rattles, they no longer return my calls.

  • Unsatisfied - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I keep up with my cars maintenance as I should yet I have had multiple problems and my car is only at 60,000 miles. At 30 my power steering pump blew. At 40 my driver door sensor broke. At 50 my radiator and my thermostat blew literally. Despite the readings of my coolant level. It was perfect and all of a sudden smoke was coming from my hood. I do admit that the handling is good yet I had a Toyota and didnt have my first problem until I was at 120,000. Plus the problems I have had are pretty irregular, my mechanics at the dealership even were to admit. Plus Hyundai put a lock on the oil filter so that only they are able to change your oil filter. They say its to protect me but we know why.

  • Never buy someone elses problems - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    Bought this car used when it had 66,532 miles on it. It now has 69,880 miles on it I cannot drive it due to a cracked high pressure power steering hose that can only be purchashed as a dealer part. Cost of hose is excessive (I priced them so far at 189.00 to 205.00 dollars) while at the mechanics that the car dealership I purchased the car at told me to take it they found 5 other things wrong with the evap system when they did a computer diagnostic (the check engine light came on just before the power steering hose blew) just 3 weeks before these problems occured I had to replace both headlamp bulbs just 3 days apart at a cost of $36.89. Overall I am very unhappy with this car so far.

  • Good for a first car... - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    I got this car in 2006 and it had 54000 miles on it. The first problem I ran into was at about 62000 miles when an engine seal blew, which was probably because i was doing burnouts using the e-brake. Then at 73000 miles i had to replace the brake pads, which is apparently a common problem with the elantras from what Ive been reading. It is important to note that I coast a lot instead of slamming on the brakes so 20000 miles without new brakes was probably due to my driving style. At 74000 miles the head gasket blew and caused the oil to leak into my radiator and now my engine is toasted. The entire time i drove the car it always drifted to the right, even after i got the axle changed @ 7000

  • Not what Id hoped - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
    By -

    Bought vehicle on $ & Hype also liked idea of not buying used and getting someone elses problems. It worked, I got my own. 5 years 3... oops now to be 4 sets of brakes. Bumper to Bumper warranty? They looked at 1 wheel, 10 minutes say its not covered asked 1400 to fix, refused and they charged me 85 as a diagnostic. Suggested I am hard on brakes, my last vehicle had 185,000 with only 1 set of pads. Body dings and scratches very easily, window molding is actually black tape, which peels and bubbles. Body rusting.. guess what,not covered. Cant trade in only can get 2500 market is flooded with these

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