The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that while her husband was driving, the vehicle stopped independently. Upon inspecting the vehicle, it was observed that the front subframe had detached. A bystander assisted the driver in moving the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a detached front subframe, right front axle, right front control arm, and front sway links. The contact was informed that the front subframe replacement was covered under a recall; however, the detached right front axle, right front control arm, and front sway links were not covered under the recall repair. The contact received notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
2002 Hyundai Sonata: ball joint or control arm failure
24 of the 320 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 127,000
- recalls
- 1
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and slowing for a right turn, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact was in the middle of the turn when the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the engine was still running, but the vehicle was not responding as needed. The contact turned off the vehicle and observed that the passenger’s side control arm had detached and fallen onto the street. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the entire front end was extremely corroded. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V124000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 204,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While driving 65 MPH, the rear passenger side tire buckled and ended up under the vehicle. The upper control arm rusted in half, which caused the vehicle to spin out of control. There was no crash. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While driving 40 MPH, the front driver side lower control arm fractured and damaged the front axle, strut, front fender, and front tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and lower back, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While the vehicle was being serviced at an independent mechanic's workshop, it was observed that the front lower control arms were perforated. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v125000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Rear upper control arms (passenger and driver) had broken during normal driving conditions. The break is where the extensions connect to the bushings. Corrosion seems to be the culprit because the metal had rotted very thin and became perforated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While driving approximately 33 MPH, the contact's vehicle struck a pothole. As a result, the contact veered to the right and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a neck injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe was rusted and failed to support the control arm. The technician informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v124000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 105,000.
I backed out of the driveway and the subframe on the passenger side collapsed and the tie rod and cv joint came loose. The steering went out. A certified frame mechanic said the sub frame rusted out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai sonata. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging noise near the front end of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the lower control arm on the passenger side had separated because the subframe was rusted. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and confirmed the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 206,341.
Was driving down the when I heard a pop sound that had came from the curbside of the vehicle then the car started pulling to the right side of the road and did not really think to much about because thought needed to just have alignment done to the vehicle then next friday I had take the car to have the alignment done on the vehicle they called me and said that the sub-frame of the vehicle was rusted in half and that it was unsafe to drive. I looked up the recalls on the vehicle and seen where it had a recall for the sub-frame rusting and set up a apt . To have it taken care of but they are saying that since my car is not registered in one of the salt-belt states that they are not going to honor the recall even though the rust is there and the sub-frame is rusted in half and the lower control arm is rusted off. Ref #[xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
After having repairs done under campaign 089 sub frame corrosion by hyundai and paying 500.00 for axle repair, 2wks later the opposite wheel collapsed out of the ball joint. 900.00 repair bill and dealer indicated this was not related to the sub-frame recall. This is now 2 incidents where the wheels fell off the car while the driver was driving the car. Both were thankfully at low speeds in a parking lot.
The right side sub-frame of my 02 hyundai sonata I just found out has rusted through and the lower control arm has separated causing the axle to pop out, this happened as I was driving and almost caused a wreck... I thought I need alignment but, found out that I need replace subframe. The car is very well maintained and even though it was once in a northern state (that's where I bought it..in new york) I do not think this uneven rusting of the subframe is normal. I checked and found that there was actually a recall of this vehicle for the exact this same reason, I am planning to call hyundai.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Suspension
- What is wrong
- Hyundai is recalling 188,282 my 2001-2004 sonata and my 2001-2004 xg300 and xg350 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 applied in these jurisdictions during the winter months may result in progressive, internal corrosion of the front sub-frame on the vehicles, and may result in thinning or perforation of the sub-frame steel. The corrosion is frequently visible and often discovered during inspection or routine maintenance, and owners may also hear noises or notice tire misalignment and steering pull. If these signals are undetected or unheeded, the corrosion may progress and the forward mounting of the lower control arm may detach from the sub-frame.
- Risk
- If that happens, the vehicle may lose drive power to the wheels, and the front wheel may make contact with the fender or wheel well, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will measure the thickness of the front sub-frame and inspect the front sub-frame for corrosion damage and, if necessary, the front sub-frame will be replaced with a new sub-frame that incorporates additional holes in the upper and lower panels. If the front sub-frame does not require replacement, the dealer will add drainage holes to the sub-frame and will treat the sub-frame with rust-proofing material to stop the corrosion process. This procedure will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during april 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.
Recall number 09V124000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2002 Hyundai Sonata?
24 of 320 owner complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Sonata (8%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Hyundai Sonata?
There is 1 recall and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2002 Hyundai Sonata
Door locks 22No deployment 16Airbag light 15Check engine light 13Grinding brakes 8Pulling 8Power steering loss 6Wipers 5
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