2001 Hyundai Santa FE

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Suspension is the leading concern among 209 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 209

Of the 2001 reports, 4 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.

Primary concernSuspension76 reports · 36% of complaints
Owner complaints209Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Suspension76
  2. Electrical system35
  3. Engine and engine cooling33
  4. Power train22
  5. Structure19
  6. Vehicle speed control14
  7. Steering13
  8. Fuel/propulsion system8

Recalls and investigations

  1. Suspension, front, springs, coil springsJul 18, 2014

    Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 “salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.

    If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.

    Campaign 14V435000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Suspension, rearApr 16, 2009

    HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 83,355 MY 2001-2003 SANTA FE 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 REAR TRAILING ARMS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM STEEL. OWNERS MAY SEE OR FEEL SLIGHT TO MODERATE CHANGES IN VEHICLE OPERATION WHICH WILL INCREASE IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED. THESE CHANGES INCLUDE A LOWERING OF VEHICLE HEIGHT THAT CAN LEAD TO TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. OWNERS MAY ALSO NOTICE A CREAKING SOUND.

    IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS FOR INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE REPLACED. REAR TRAILING ARMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE DRAINAGE HOLES ADDED AND WILL BE TREATED WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO ARREST THE CORROSION PROCESS. INSPECTION, TREATMENT AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT NO COST TO OWNERS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 09V123000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Equipment, other, labelsDec 18, 2003

    CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

    THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

    OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

    Campaign 03V520000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Electrical system, starter assemblyJan 2, 2003

    ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINES, IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS (CPS) WERE INSTALLED. THE CPS CASES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR.

    A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-829-9956.

    Campaign 03V030000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints

209 reports, newest first.

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Dec 12, 2003

    TIMING BELT FAILURE, CAUSING ENGINE TO SEIZE AND DAMAGED ENGINE.*AK

  2. Electrical system, Nov 20, 2003

    I AM A MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND WORK NIGHT HOURS. I OWN A HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2001 AND HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CAR RUNNING BUT AT STOP CANNOT HANDLE HEADLIGHTS, HEATER, RADIO AND INTERNAL LIGHTS, WHICH IS A PROBLEM IF I WERE EVER STUCK. IT HAS HAPPENED IN SUMMER AND WINTER AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IF I'M STRANDED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT HYUNDAI DEALERS AND THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS FOUND, YET I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO PEP BOYS AND SEARS AND THEY SAID MY BATTERY WAS FAILING. I REPLACED BATTERY AT SEAR'S 3 MONTHS AGO AND LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO DIM AGAIN. THE RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS TO TURN OFF HEADLIGHTS? ISN'T THAT DANGEROUS? *LA

  3. Suspension, Nov 18, 2003

    FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS STARTED TO FAIL AFTER 42,000 MILES. *LA

  4. Suspension, Nov 13, 2003

    NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION. WE HAVE GONE 3 TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR FOR SERVICE AND THE NOISE KEEP COMING BACK . THEY CHANGE MANY PARTS BUT THEY HAVE NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE ANY MOORE IN THE CAR. I HAVE CALL DIFFERENT PLACES BUT ALL THEY TELL ME TAKE IT BACK FOR REPAIRS, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK? OR THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR US TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT TO DO SOMETHING. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU. *LA

  5. Steering, Suspension, Power train, Structure, Nov 8, 2003

    VEHICLE RATTLES AND SHAKES WHEN DRIVING IN CITY. NOISE APPEARS TO COME UNDER THE CARRIAGE. TAKEN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. HAVE A WRITTEN COMPLAIN WITH HYUNDAI.*AK

  6. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Nov 8, 2003

    ALTERNATOR/BATTERY PROBLEMS: LIGHTS DIM, WINDSHIELD WIPER DELAY CHANGES SPEED, ELECTRIC WINDOWS SLOW AT TIMES.*AK

  7. Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2003

    ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR BACK 16 DIFFERENT TIMES, 7 TIMES SINCE THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW EXPIRED. EACH PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WITH THE ONGOING PROBLEMS I ASKED HYUNDAI TO COMPENSATE ME. I WAS TOLD THE LEMON LAW HAS EXPIRED AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP. *LA

  8. Electrical system, Oct 14, 2003

    WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND SHUT DOWN, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SUV WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS. DRIVER PICKED UP THE TRUCK FROM THE DEALER THAT DAY, BUT WITHOUT WARNING THE SUV SHUT DOWN ON THE WAY HOME. *AK

  9. Electrical system, Oct 7, 2003

    FOR THE PAST MONTH, CAR HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. USUALLY, IT DOES NOT START FOR THE FIRST TIME OR IT HAS A SLOW START. IN ADDITION, THERE'S AN OCCURRENCE THAT IT DID NOT START AT ALL, WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IN THEY REPROGRAMMED THE MODULE. WILL WAIT AND CHECK IF THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR STARTS SLOWLY THAT MORNING. *LA

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 15, 2003

    EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED ABOUT 6 INCHES RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. DISCOVERED WHEN CAR HAD ABOUT 42,000 MILES. ORIGINAL OWNER. I BELIEVE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FIRE HAZARD.

  11. Fuel system, Other, Sep 8, 2003

    TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THE OIL FILTER IS AT ON THE 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE FE'S. THE OIL FILTERS ARE VERY WEAK AND CAN BUST EASILY. ALL IT TAKES IS A BIG ROCK OR ANY FOREIGN OBJECT TO HIT IT ON THE ROAD AND ALL YOUR OIL IS OUT. THE FILTERS ARE RIGHT IN THE FRONT AND ARE OPEN TO ANY OBJECTS.*AK

  12. Equipment, Aug 20, 2003

    WE HAVE APPROX. 90,000 MILES ON OUR SANTA FE AND HAVE HAD A/C TROUBLE OFF AND ON THE PAST YEAR. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $2000.00 WHILE THE DEALERSHIP AND A PRIVATELY OWNED A/C SHOP REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS. I AM AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI AS TO WHAT THEY WILL DO TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE STRAP ON THE BACK SEAT BREAK, THE PAINT IS PEALING OFF AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHTS/RADIO/AIR CONDITION ALL DIM WHEN VEHICLE STOPS OR HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD.*AK

  13. Engine and engine cooling, May 29, 2003

    WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

  14. Engine and engine cooling, May 27, 2003

    GOOD MORNING, I AM WRITING TO YOU TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT MY DISSATISFACTION WITH HYUNDAI MOTORS. I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI MANY TIMES SEEKING SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION TO MY COMPLAINT ON MY 2001 SANTA FE. THE SANTA FE WAS SOLD TO ME ADVERTISING 181 HORSEPOWER. THIS HOWEVER, IS NOT TRUE, AND I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM. I HAVE OFFERED HYUNDAI MANY SOLUTIONS THAT I CONSIDER SATISFACTORY TO MYSELF, AND AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY HYUNDAI IS HANDLING THE VALID COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WHO, IN GOOD FAITH, PURCHASED A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT WHAT IT WAS ADVERTISED TO BE. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS MATTER IS BEING IGNORED. HYUNDAI DID HOWEVER, SET THEIR OWN DEADLINE OF SEPT 2003 FOR CLOSURE TO ALL AFFECTED BY THIS FALSE ADVERTISEMENT. THIS LEADS ME TO WONDER IF THEY ARE PURPOSELY DRAGGING THEIR FEET TO FORCE OWNERS OF THESE AFFECTED VEHICLES IN TO RESOLUTION THAT MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE BE ACCEPTABLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT WHAT I PAID FOR AND THE LACK OF CONCERN FROM HYUNDAI IS VERY UNSETTLING TO ME. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ALMOST 10 PERCENT LESS HP THAN ADVERTISED. THE AFFECT IT COULD HAVE ON THE SAFETY AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE IS SCARY. THE VEHICLE HAS A CERTAIN TOWING CAPACITY AND TORQUE. THIS ALSO HAS TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. HAVE A GREAT DAY. SINCERELY, STEVE COOPER 26MAY03 *TT

  15. Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment, May 21, 2003

    NAR 05/21/2003 *MR WITH OUT NOTIFICATION THE CONSUMERS PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRANDED AS A LEMON. PROBLEMS OCCURRED WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR, HEADLIGHT DIMMERS, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THEY'RE REQUESTING THE DEALERSHIP TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. *CB

  16. Vehicle speed control, Apr 3, 2003

    THROTTLE STUCK ON VEHICLE IN A FAST IDLE POSITION. CONTROL OF VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED BY USE OF FOOT BRAKE. VEHICLE HAD 23020 MILES AND IS A GLS WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, DATE OF MANUFACTURE WAS 13 JAN 01. NO INJURIES, NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. DEALER REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND STATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS THAT THE CABLE WAS MISROUTED. ACCORDING TO DEALER THE CABLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ROUTED THROUGH A METAL CLIP AT RIGHT REAR OF SURGE TANK/INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS CLIP IS ADJACENT TO THE CLIP USED TO SECURE THE GAS PEDAL CABLE. THE REPLACEMENT CABLE APPEARS TO BE SHORTER THAN THE ORIGINAL CABLE AS IT IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO BE PLACED IN THE METAL CLIP. THE REPLACEMENT CABLE USED WAS PART #96430-26110 AND HAS A YELLOW LABEL WITH "TO2" ON IT.

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 3, 2002

    THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED TWICE WHILE DRIVING UP TO SPEEDS OF 60 MPH. THERE IS NO POWER, NO GAS, NOTHING. THE SECOND TIME IT STALLED I WAS IN THE CALDECOTT TUNNEL, HIGHWAY 24, BERKELEY CA. DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH. THERE IS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER FOR SAFETY. THANKFULLY THE TUNNEL IS ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE, AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TUNNEL IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR ENGINE FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WAS ON A TWO LANE ROAD OUTSIDE OF ANTIOCH, CA. AT NIGHT DRIVING BY MYSELF. IT IS AN TERRIFYING FEELING TO BE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55-60 MPH AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THERE IS NO WARNING. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR SERVICE, WHINING TIMING CHAIN, SEVERAL TIMES, AND EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NOW WITH THE ENGINE STALL PROBLEMS I AM VERY AFRAID THAT I OR OTHERS DRIVING WITH ME AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD MAY INJURED OR WORSE KILLED DUE TO THIS MAJOR DEFECT IN THIS CAR. I BABYSIT MY GRANDCHILDREN ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL. I TRIED CONTACTING HYUNDAI AT THEIR 1800 NUMBER AND THERE WAS NO EXTENSION AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN ORDER TO FILE A CLAIM. ALSO AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES TO GET THROUGH IT SENT ME TO VOICE MAIL. THE CAR IS NOW AT HYUNDAI IN CONCORD, CALIFORNIA WAITING FOR SERVICE. I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR ONE WEEK THE FIRST TIME IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED AFTER THE FIRST STALL. BESIDES BEING FEARFUL OF MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS I WILL NOW HAVE TO GO WITHOUT A VEHICLE AGAIN FOR A LENGTH OF TIME. DT

  18. Electrical system, Oct 14, 2002

    VEHICLE DASH BRAKE AND ALTERNATOR LIGHTS COME ON WHEN VEHICLE SPLASHES THROUGH WATER PUDDLES. ON ALL OCCASIONS I ALSO LOSE POWER STEERING CONSTROL. THE DEALER'S RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM REPORTED IS SIMPLY NOT TO SPLASH WATER WHILE GOING OVER PUDDLES. THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO DURING THUNDER STORMS FOR WHICH TAMPA BAY IS WELL KNOWN. WATER IS OBVIOUSLY GETTING INTO THE ALTERNATOR AND WETTING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. ON ONE OCCASION I LOST POWER STEERING AS I WAS NEGOTIATING A RIGHT TURN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MR

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2002

    CAR STALLED AFTER STARTING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. ENGINE CHECK BY DEALERSHIP REVEALED WATERLOGGED AIR FILTER AND NON-OIL LIQUID IN THE OIL RESEVOIR. DEALERSHIP CONCLUDES ENGINE FLOODED WITH WATER (IT WASN'T); OTHER (NON-DEALERSHIP) EXPERT MECHANICS SUSPECT CRACKED CYLINDER LINER.*AK

  20. Electrical system, Sep 3, 2002

    THE CAR "MISSES" SO BADLY IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, IT PERIODICALLY DIES WHILE IDLING. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HYUNDAI HAS REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY WITH HIGHER OUTPUT EQUIPMENT AND THE PROBLEMS HAVE WORSENED.*AK

  21. Electrical system, Sep 3, 2002

    HYUNDAI WILL NOT REPLACE ALTERNATOR WITH HIGHER OUTPUT. *AK

  22. Electrical system, Sep 1, 2002

    VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN LEAVING FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER PURCHASING, CAUSE ACCORDING TO DEALER WAS DEFECTIVE BATTERY. BATTERY WAS REPLACED. ELEVEN MONTHS LATER I EXPERIENCED ENGINE HAD SLOW CRANKING TO START AND LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN AIR COMPRESSOR ENGAGED AND THE CAR WAS AT LOW RPMS. RADIO THEN TURNED OFF LIGHTS WENT OUT, AND VEHICLE ALMOST STALLED. TURNED OFF AIR, RADIO AND LIGHTS (LUCKILY IT WAS SUNDOWN NOT DARK YET) AND PROCEEDED HOME. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND ONCE AGAIN PROBLEM WAS ATTRIBUTED TO DEFECTIVE BATTERY. BATTERY WAS REPLACED. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT HYUNDAI HAD INCREASED THE OUTPUT OF THE ALTERNATOR IN THE NEWER SANTA FE MODELS TO 110AMP OUTPUT. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THEY HAVE NOTED THE INADEQUATE OUTPUT OF THE EARLIER ALTERNATOR. I WOULD THINK THIS WOULD WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RETROFITTING OF EARLIER VEHICLES TO THE HIGHER OUTPUT ALTERNATOR. ALSO DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE IN SOME INSTANCES OBTAINED A REPLACEMENT FOR THE UPGRADED ALTERNATOR THROUGH WARRANTY.*AK

  23. Electrical system, Aug 31, 2002

    BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR SHOWED A LONG TERM "LOW" CHARGE LEVEL, AND DURING VERY HOT WEATHER, BATTERY FAILED TO START VEHICLE DUE TO ALTERNATOR NOT KEEPING BATTERY CHARGED UP PROPERLY.*AK

  24. Electrical system, Aug 27, 2002

    WILL LIKE THIS RESOLVED BY HYUNDAY AMERICA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

  25. Electrical system, Aug 27, 2002

    OCCASIONALY AS I DRIVE AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WILL DIM, CLOCK WILL FLASH, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THE ALERNATOR WILL NOT CHARGE THE BATTERY. OCCASIONALY WHEN I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF I WILL COME BACK OUT TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WILL NOT START BECAUSE OF THE BATTERY BEING DEAD AND NOT BEING CHARGED BY THE ALTERNATOR. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPLACED ONCE ON 7/26/02 AND IT IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN. I AM IN CONTACT WITH SEVERAL OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS AT WWW.SANTAFEFORUM.NET AND ALOT OF THEM ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.