I have noted a recall #09v125000 related to this make/model/year but for some reason my car with the exact problem is not part of the recall. My right front control arm colapsed. It was completely rusted through. With that side fixed I traveled about 3 miles and my left side control arm broke. My mechanic and I were complexed, but after research I found this problem exist and recalls issued. After contacting hyunda they said this vehicle VIN# was not covered. I don't understand how this life threatening problem was not part of the recall. Something in the records of this car must be in error.
2002 Hyundai Elantra: ball joint or control arm failure
93 of the 342 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 93
- of this car's complaints
- 27%
- typical repair cost reported
- $632
- typical mileage
- 94,178
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
On october 28th, 2016 the lower, driver's side, front control arm disintegrated while my wife was driving her elantra in a parking lot. She was making a right turn to leave the lot when she lost control of the car as it made a "terrible grinding noise." the next day I removed the wheel and discovered the control arm was torn in two sections and badly corroded. I went to two hyundai dealers to track down a new part. Neither dealer mentioned the fact that this model hyundai had been recalled for precisely this problem. When I learned of this problem I contacted hyundai motors. They informed me that the recall only applied to vehicles purchased or registered in the so-called "salt belt" states. My wife bought this car new in colorado and has never driven it in the "salt belt." yet it suffered the same corrosion and failure as described in the recall bulletin. This is a very dangerous failure because the corrosion is inside the control arm and cannot be detected by a normal visual inspection. I suspect that the failure that showed up years ago in the "salt belt" cars is now appearing in older cars in other parts of the country. Hyundai apparently does not give a [xxx]. I suggest the nhsta impose a nationwide mandatory recall of these vehicles. If it occurred at highway speeds this failure would result in immediate loss of control, resulting in severe injury or death for passengers in the car. This vehicle is a one owner car that was garaged all its life. It was regularly serviced by a hyundai dealer. It shows no signs of excessive corrosion in any other area or part. I am outraged that hyundai chose to limit the recall of these vehicles to select states. This incident clearly demonstrates the problem is not limited to vehicles exposed to corrosive chemicals. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My vehicle has control arm rust and perforations in the subframe, covered under an existing recall. Hyundai has admitted that the parts are covered under the recall, but states that they are unable to replace the subframe and control arms due to rust damage on the frame itself. Replacing the damaged portions of the frame will cost well over the price of the vehicle. If the subframe did not have to be replaced, the frame would likely hold for some time and not require replacement in the near future. The frame damage is only an immediate issue because the recall repair needs to be done. Hyundai has offered me to either replace the frame damage at my own expense so they can complete the recall repair, or take a buyout equal to the kelly blue book value of the vehicle. Other compensation such as rental fees was refused. It has taken them ~25 days since receiving the vehicle to make this offer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai elantra. While at an independent mechanic for routine repair. The mechanic stated that the front lower control arm bushings were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 153,248.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai elantra. The contact stated that the link assembly front stabilizer and the control arms completely lowered and the front end had excessive rust. In addition, the front tires fell off due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,178. ...updated 02/03/16 *bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai elantra. While driving at 25 MPH, the passenger side control arm fractured. The steering wheel became difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the control arm fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Updated 07/27/16*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai elantra. When the accelerator or brake pedals were depressed, a loud abnormal clunking noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle and the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the lower control arm and ball joint failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000.
As I exited a freeway ramp I was coming to a stop to make a turn. My front lower control arm on the driver side broke and it popped my driver side cv axle. My whole tire castered in against the wheel well and cambered outward. My car was barely movable. My control arm had completely corroded through.
There is a rust hole in my right lower front suspension control arm, related to hyundai recall# 091. I contacted hyundai customer assistance case# [xxx]. I was told I would have to pay for the repairs and then attempt to seek reimbursement but was told there is no promise of a refund. I said their recall clearly states vehicles being recalled are in the salt belt states or cars that are registered in these states. My car came from virginia but has been registered and driven here in michigan for two years and should be included in this recall. My request for assistance was denied. All these vehicles were built with poor quality metal components, there are no VIN. Break points and should not matter where vehicle is located as vehicles move from state to state. I should not and will not wait for an incident to occur. I will pay for this repair to assure my families safety. I contacted my local dealer ann arbor automotive and talked to bethany patterson in service and emailed here pictures of the defective component(we have the email confirmation). She stated the service manager would review and get back to me. Three weeks later and no contact. I also took the car to them at ann arbor automotive which is my closest hyundai dealer in ann arbor michigan just to show them the failure which is visible with the steering turned without putting on a lift. The service manager would not come out to look at, they asked me if I had an appointment and then told me I would have to leave the car for at least 3-5 days just to look and contact hyundai with no assurance of anything being done. What a joke. I have tried to contact you buy phone but the calls will not go through, do you still have a phone? There are more procedures that have to be done related to this recall but right now I have to replace this one part to make the car safe for my family. Please help everyone with this. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I applied the brakes at a stop sign and the front driver side control arm collapsed . I had it inspected and treated under recall in 2009.
I applied brakes at a stop sign and front driver side control arm collapsed. I had it inspected and treated under recall in 2009.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai elantra. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard a clanking sound and then the control arm fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling 160,904 my 2001-2003 elantra and my 2003 tiburon vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Road salt used during the winter months in these jurisdictions may result in internal corrosion and thinning of the steel in the front lower control arms. The corrosion may progress to the point where the lower control arm's upper and lower panels become perforated. A perforated front lower control arm may fracture between its ball joint attachment and the forward and rearward pivot attachments to the chassis.
- Risk
- The fracturing of the control arm could an owner's control over their vehicle that may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front lower control arms for corrosion damage. If specified levels of internal corrosion damage are found, the front lower control arms will be replaced with new front lower control arms incorporating additional holes in the upper and lower panels. If the front lower control arms do not require replacement, the dealer will add drainage holes to the front lower control arms and will treat the front lower control arms with rust-proofing materials to arrest the internal corrosion process. These procedures will be performed free of charge. The recall began on august 17, 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 09V125000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
93 of 342 owner complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Elantra (27%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $632 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Hyundai Elantra?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Hyundai Elantra
Airbag light 28Headlights 21No deployment 17Seat belt 11Stalling 9Grinding brakes 8Check engine light 8Jerking 7Brake failure 6Sudden acceleration 6Fuel leak 5
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