Hyundai›Elantra›2002›Overview/hyundai/elantra/2002/base/

2002 Hyundai Elantra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Elantra.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Hyundai Elantra is a passenger car fitted with a 4-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated at 21 city, 30 highway, and 25 combined mpg, with an engine sump holding 4.2 quarts of oil across a range of recommended viscosities from 10W-30 to 20W-50 API. The model year accumulated 349 owner complaints—focused primarily on suspension—with 6 recalls issued, figures that sit well below the Elantra line's 2013 peak of 1,325 complaints across a history spanning 1992 through 2026. That places the 2002 in the model's moderate reliability band, meaning researchers should expect a vehicle with documented but not exceptional problem density relative to the worst years in the generation's timeline.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.2 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight2683 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Elantra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2002 GT 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002GT 5-door Hatchback 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.30 sec135 hpFWD
2002GLS Sedan 2.0L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec138 hpFWD
2001GLS Sedan 2.0L I-48.40 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilABOVE 32 degrees F
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings37-39 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts90-96 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159-192 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.55 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,300-13,900 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0-21.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.43-1.54 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityHS-15 compressor, 4.3-5.6; 10PA15C Compressor, 4.2-4.73. oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression203-218. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure24.2 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMIdle rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket51-63 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle65-80 ft-lbs / 16-24 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.945 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.945 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.882 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1125-133 ft. lbs., step 2: 170-180125–133 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil · M10 Bolts:

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260 degrees; M12 Bolts:60 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-24 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6520–24 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

Every 6,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 52,500 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Hyundai Elantra sits at the peak of its generation's federal complaint arc, recording 349 complaints, 6 recalls, and 3 investigations. This marks a sharp escalation from the 212 complaints in 2000 and 330 in 2001, preceding a steady decline to 234 complaints in 2003 and 137 by 2005. For the 2002 model specifically, the data indicates concentrated problems in Suspension (77 complaints), Air Bags (51), and Service Brakes, Hydraulic (22), which contributed to 58 crash and 4 fire complaints. Because this target year anchors the highest point of regulatory concern before the platform stabilized, it implies you would be absorbing the brunt of this generation's early defects. Given its statistical position as the worst year in this specific arc and the safety implications of its primary complaint areas, this is a used model year to avoid.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
78
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
349
Owner complaints
58 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 349 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension77
Air Bags51
Service Brakes, Hydraulic22
Fuel System, Gasoline19
Exterior Lighting15
Structure14
Power Train12
Vehicle Speed Control12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V533000Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-InactiveReported 14/10/2008

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2001-2002 ELANTRA VEHICLES. MOVEMENT OF THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS MOUNTED UNDER EACH FRONT SEAT, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY CONTACT FROM MATERIALS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT, MAY RESULT… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CLIPS AND REVISED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ATTACHMENTS UNDER THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S…

09V125000Suspension:Front:Control ArmReported 16/04/2009

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 78 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Elantra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 124R batteryVehicles taking 4.2 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Elantra take?

4.2 qt of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50 API SM, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Elantra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Elantra get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.