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2002 Hyundai Accent

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

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined as a passenger car, the 2002 Hyundai Accent utilizes 3.5 qt of 10W-30 or 5W-30 API engine oil. Ownership records for this model year document 144 total complaints, primarily focused on the Power Train, alongside a single recall. When measured against the model's 1991-2022 history ranging from a low of one complaint in 1993 to a high of 167 in 1995, the 2002 Accent sits nearer to the peak complaint volume, indicating a higher concentration of reported issues for researchers to evaluate.

Model year2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2002

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 121R · 500 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 121R · 500 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeP155-80R13OEM · verified

Wheel / rim4.5, 5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	165.4 in
Overall width	65.7 in
Overall height	55.1 in
Wheelbase	96.1 in
Curb weight	2101 lb
Track (front / rear)	56.7 / 56.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

10.0–10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.00 sec — 2003 GT 3-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	GT 3-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	10.00 sec	17.40 sec	103 hp	FWD
2000	GL Sedan 1.5L I-4	10.90 sec	17.90 sec	92 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 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 Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3.5 qt
Engine Oil	10W-30 · API · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	15-20 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	15-20 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	24-26 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	24-26 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	96-103 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	89-96 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	11-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	11-15 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	159-192 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	147 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.79-.95 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	11,300-15,300 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.25-1.40 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	FD46XG
Oil Capacity	4.75-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	121R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	500 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	121R

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	50 approx. psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	15.55-16.25 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	203-218. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	21.3 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm
Engine Oil Pressure	29 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	48-55 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	65-80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.748 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.748 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.669 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

103-111 ft. lbs., step 2: 140-150

103–111 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

103-111 ft. lbs., step 2: 140-150

103–111 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	loosen all bolts
4	26 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs
5	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	18.0 ft. lbs.	18 ft. lbs
2	60 degrees	60 degrees
3	60 degrees	60 degrees

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 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Air 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 mi	Brake 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 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · 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 Accent sits at a notable inflection point in its generation, with 144 federal complaints—among the highest in the model’s lifecycle, surpassed only by the 1995 and 2012 model years. Compared to 2001 (126 complaints) and 2003 (37 complaints), the 2002 model shows a clear peak in reported issues, particularly in power train (22 complaints) and fuel system (16 complaints) areas, while recalls dropped to just one, signaling unresolved concerns rather than proactive safety actions. The preceding years (1999–2001) saw a gradual rise in complaints, but the sharp decline in 2003 suggests Hyundai may have addressed key reliability gaps in the subsequent model refresh. Crash-related complaints (26) and fire reports (2) for 2002 are elevated but not outliers, though the data doesn’t specify root causes. This year’s high complaint volume, coupled with minimal recalls, implies potential latent defects that may not have triggered formal action. **Takeaway:** The 2002 Accent is a riskier choice than the quieter 2003 or 2004 model years, and buyers should prioritize a pre-purchase inspection focused on transmission and fuel system integrity.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

144

Owner complaints

26 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’93 ’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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 144 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train22

Fuel System, Gasoline16

Air Bags15

Engine & Engine Cooling11

Vehicle Speed Control10

Service Brakes, Hydraulic9

Fuel/Propulsion System7

Suspension6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

02V167000Structure:Frame And MembersReported 25/06/2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE 3-DOOR HATCHBACK EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT BRACKETS TO SUPPORT THE A-PILLAR COVERS AND INCREASE THE ENERGY ABSORBING PERFORMANCE OF THE A-PILLAR IN THE RELEVANT AREA. OWNER…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 53 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
DTN DL	2026-04-10	Air Bags	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS	2026-04-10	Air Bags	The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB	2025-11-05	Exterior Lighting	This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H	2024-02-14	Visibility	This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H	2023-10-13	Engine And Engine Cooling	This 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 Accent. 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 121R battery Vehicles taking 3.5 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Accent take?

3.5 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30 API SM, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Accent have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.