The 2002 Hyundai Sonata has 3 recalls, the most serious being side airbags that can deploy unexpectedly without a crash, raising the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The side impact airbag sensors are overly sensitive to certain sharp lateral movements, such as a door being slammed, and can trigger deployment under normal use. On the brake side, installing the compact spare tire in any wheel position disables the anti-lock brake system and causes the ABS warning light to come on, meaning the brakes lose their ability to prevent wheel lockup during hard stops. There is also a concern with the interior door handles, where repeated use can wear through the chrome plating and leave a sharp edge that can cut a finger.