2002 Hyundai Elantra GLS from North America - Comments

At 40,000 miles a sound emerged whenever I backed up and turned- no mechanic/dealership could figure out how to stop it.

Aside for this, I have not really had any problems and have been mostly delighted with it.

I just had a big car accident and totaled this car (at 68,000 miles). I was turning on a wet road and completely lost control of the car and crashed into a tree. I don't know if it was the tire or what, but I totally lost control It was very scary. The car just lost control and I could not break in time.

Over the last week, I had started to notice that the car would not speed up/slow down/respond like it used to... I was going to get it checked, but then I crashed. Now that I have discovered this site, and read other reviews, I wonder whether the steering of the car was at fault in this accident.

Now I have to buy a new car. As I research different cars in the same range, I see that Honda civics have a lot more wear and tear and customer dissatisfaction. I am scared that another Hyundai Elantra will have similar problems, but it seems that the problem s of the 2001-2003 collection have been corrected.

Plus- I walked out of that accident, with a totaled car, and absolutely no injuries other than whiplash. The air bags deployed perfectly, and the car kept me safe and alive.

As I read reviews, the Elantra still seems like the best and safest and most reliable car for its money... And if there was a problem, then hopefully the 06 model has corrected it. So, I am thinking I may very well invest in another one.

I welcome other people's feedback or thoughts- both about the safety of the 02 and about whether it is worth risking a new one or trying another safer car of a similar price range...

Sorry for the loss of your car.

I agree with you with the comments about not finding another car that seems as affordable and reliable for its class...

Well, people can never go wrong with a civic, corola, sentra, protege.

Prices might be a little higher then an elantra, but resell is there.

I currently own an Elantra GT 2002.

I am on my 4th year of ownership and I have had no problems.

I changed 1 baring, timing belt, all 4 brakes (after 3 years)...

Problems

-Check engin light on... its some sensor... I don't care.

-My old stock radio seems to have blown... only works on front speakers. (and they still sound better then a few other cars of its class)

Things that happened.

Friend slammed it sideways over a high sidewalk, hitting something tranny related making all gears like neutral and disconnecting a wheel... 900$ worth of repairs done at local trusty garage.

An old man (neighbor) fainted and smashed his buick in my hyundai, Insurance repaired it for 5700$...

Today, after 4 years of my driving, regular oil changes and replacement of wear and tear parts... the car still runs great.

I do not thing very highly about hyundai dealerships.

Even under warranty, I would not give it to them after some reviews I have read about them on this site.

Whatever I change, I change for Quality Performance aftermarket.

I strongly recommend finding a 2003 to 2005 Elantra GT Premium with sunroom, leather and traction control...

Buying the car used is a good way to save plenty of money due to soso resell.

Good luck.