How do I access the top of the rear strut mount on a 2000 Hyundai Sonata?

Do you have a strut compressor tool?

Does the 2002 hyundai sonata have front shocks or struts

It has front and rear Macpherson struts, see picture below.

The struts model (MacPherson Strut),are both in front and back of this car.
2000 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Rear, Driver Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly. $72
2000 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Rear, Passenger Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $68
1996 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Front, Driver Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $67
1996 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Front, Passenger Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $63
Of course this is only the cartridge, you have to transfer the spring, and the top mount of the existing strut. You need a pair of coil spring compressor to do the job. The basic procedure to replace a strut is:
Remove the top nuts that secure the strut assembly to the frame mount inside the engine compartment. Do not remove the center nut.
Mark the lower strut mounting location on the hub for installation reference. The alignment will be close if the new strut is installed in the same position.
Remove the bolts that hold the strut assembly to the hub.
Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
Mark the top mount for installation reference. Using a side mounted spring compressor, compress the spring and remove the top nut and retaining washer. Pull strut assembly out from the bottom of spring.
Slide the new strut assembly up into the spring and reposition the top mount onto the spring in the same position that it was removed. Install the retaining washer and top nut.
Tighten the top nut to the manufacturer's specifications and carefully remove the spring compressor.
Place the strut assembly back into the vehicle.

well you would need a spring compressor to do. what you can do is remove the rear strut asmebly, then take to a repair shop and have them swap the mount,to remove you would have to jack car up, then remove the wheel, then remove the 2 lower bolts from strut to rear spindle, then abs sensor wire and brake hose, then from trunk area remove the top mounting bolts and strut comes out, good luck,

First you must remove the rear seat to gain access to the top strut mounts. The bottom of the rear seat comes out first. On the 91 model there are two tabs at the base of the seat bottm that you pull forward to release the seat bottom. I'm not sure if the 89 is the same. After removal of the rear seat bottom, you will see a bolt at the bottom of each side of the rear seat back that need to be removed. Fold down the arm rest and disconnect the vinyl cover at the base of the armrest to expose and remove two screws. Push up on the rear seat back to unhook three plastic hooks (center and one at each end) at the top of the rear seat back. Remove the seat back. Remove the large metal support panel that is behind the seat back. Safely jack up the rear of the car and support on jack stands so the rear wheels hang free. Doing one strut at a time, remove the two top strut mount bolts leaving the center strut stud nut in place. The strut and mount will lower out of the unibody. Disconnect the bottom strut mount. Remove the strut/coil spring assembly. Using a strut/spring compressor (some auto parts stores rent these) compress the spring. Carefully remove the top strut stud retaining nut, top strut mount, bumpers and strut boot. Carefully install compressed spring, strut boot, bumpers and top strut mount on new strut and install washer and retaining nut. Reinstall strut and etc. in reverse order.

I have not heard of a rear headlight, I presume that you mean the tail light. often the entire lense assembly comes out for access, unscrewed from the trunk.

The 2002 Hyundai Sonata has struts on the front and rear.

Go to http://www.hmaservice.com/ and register. Access to anything you might want to know about your 2000 Sonata.

Research revealed no available illustration of procedure. If memory serves, there are two 'access' plates on either side of the lamp assy (popped out with small screwdriver) and two phillps screws retaining the assy in place. Remove the access plates (plastic) and the screws behind them.. access is gained.