2002 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 171 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 9 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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: engine and engine cooling
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 14, 2011
OVER THE LAST 4-6 MONTHS NOTICED DRIVER AND PASSENGERS GETTING VERY TIRED AND DEVELOPING HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD DISCOVERED BY OWNER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2011
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED HYUNDAI SANTE FE (2002). I'M STILL ON MY FIRST TANK OF GAS AND TWICE NOW I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. BOTH TIMES I WAS PULLING UP TO A STOPLIGHT AND GOING VERY SLOW WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BOTH TIMES BUT THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE AND THE PASSENGERS, INCLUDING A CHILD, WOULD DEVELOP HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE; YET, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A LEAK OR DETERMINE WHERE THE GAS WAS EMITTING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE TOXICITY OF THE GAS AND ITS AFFECTS ON HER AND THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 24, 2010
MY 2002 HYUNDAI 2002 SANTE FE HAS A 2-PART CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HYUNDAI HAS A WARRANTY--REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, I UNDERSTAND--THAT COVERS THIS FOR 8 YEARS, 80,000 MILES. MY CAR IS WITHIN THAT CRITERIA. THE SECOND CONVERTER BROKE OFF, AND NEITHER NOW WORK. HYUNDAI AND ITS DEALER, MARHOFER HYUNDAI OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO, REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE MAIN CONVERTER WOULD WORK IF THE SECOND, AND AN ENTIRELY NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM, WERE INSTALLED. THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE, SOUNDING LIKE A TRUCK AND SPEWING EXHAUST. ANOTHER SHOP IS REPLACING THIS, AND THE OWNER TOLD ME HIS VENDOR HAS JUST SOLD FIVE OF THESE CONVERTERS/EXHAUST SYSTEMS. THE SHOP JUST PUT ONE IN ON A HYUNDAI SANTE FE, AND MINE WILL MAKE SEVEN IN A SMALL CITY (AKRON) IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. YET HYUNDAI WILL DO NOTHING, AND MARHOFER WANTS $2,000 FOR THE WORK. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE EXHAUST FROM THE BROKEN CONVERTER COULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TACHOMETER READ ZERO AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED AND THEN RESTARTED ITSELF. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND OFTEN TIMES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2009
STARTED MY CAR, IT DIDNT FEEL RIGHT, PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED TO DRIVE WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STALL BUT DIDNT AND BETWEEN 1 ST AND 2 ND GEAR THE CAR WAS JERKING. I PULLED OVER SHUT CAR OFF AND TRY IT AGAIN, SAME THING. I DROVE FOR A FEW BLOCKS SEEM TO DRIVE BETTER AFTER 2ND GEAR. SO I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 SANTA FE REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH WOULD CAUSE A ENGINE STALL AND THE SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY 2002 SANTA FE DID NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ? BUT THEY WILL FIX IT IF I PAY FOR IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 11, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ABNORMALLY ROUGH AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ON ONE OCCASION, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT REMEDY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 7, 2008
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. IT WAS SUDDEN, AND CAUSED COMPLETE SHUT DOWN OF THE ENGINE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DURING A BUSY TIME OF DAY. WE WERE TOLD BY HYUNDAI THAT THE 6 CYLINDER HAS A RECALL AGAINST THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, BUT THE 4 CYLINDER WHICH WE OWN DON'T HAVE THE RECALL, YET THE SAME PART FAILED CAUSING THE SAME ENGINE SHUTDOWN. I SEE THE 6 CYLINDER RECALL ON YOU WEBSITE. SO FAR, AS OF THE TIME OF WRITING THIS EMAIL AND A WEEK OF THE CAR IN THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, THERE HAS BEEN NO REPAIR, AND MY MOM IS STILL WITHOUT A CAR. THEY ARE MAKING HER PAY THE LABOR CHARGE FOR THE REPAIR, AND CONTINUE WITH EXCUSES AS TO WHY THE CAR HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2008
MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID I HAVE A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2002 SANTA FE FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. BUT WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT , THEY RESPONDED WITH MY VIN # NOT BEING ATTACHED TO A RECALL. I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, WHAT IF SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED DURING TRAFFIC WHEN MY CAR STALLED. THE COMPANY SHOULD WARRANTY THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY WON'T. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Sep 9, 2007
PURCHASED A NEW 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 11/2001 WITH 11 MILES ON IT. IN 3/2007, THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN REPLACING IT, 2 MAJOR SAFETY DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED - NO SAFETY/PROTECTIVE FOAM IN THE FRONT BUMPER AND THE SAFETY/CRASH BAR WAS BENT - I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR MUST HAD BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND THEY ACCEPTED NO RESPONSIBILITY - THEY SAID I MUST HAVE DONE IT. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR TICKETS AND MY DRIVING RECORD PROVES THAT. I PURCHASED A VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT, WHICH SHOWED NO ACCIDENT HISTORY. THE ONLY CONCLUSION IS THAT THE DEFECTS WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME OF SALE. THE CAR SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS OF THE SAFETY INSPECTIONS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 27, 2006
TL* - WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE ENGINE ON A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST THE POWER STEERING AN THE POWER BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS COLD AND THERE WAS LIGHT SNOW ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE ONCE THE REPAIRS ARE DONE ON HIS VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 30, 2006
PURCHASED "NEW" IT TOOK OVER SIX HOURS TO DELIVER THE VEHICLE ON SITE. 1.)THE "SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED RETURNED TO JIM ELLIS; "NO CORRECTION" TO DATE. 2.)SEVERAL OTHER DEFECTS EXISTED: BATTERY FAILED LEAVING ME STRANDED AT LEAST TWICE, BRAKES WARE QUICKLY AND REPEATEDLY REQUIRE REPAIRS, HEATED SEATS ON AT "ALL" TIMES, THE TEMPERATURE REMAINS ON "CELSIUS" RATHER THAN ON THAN "FEREINHEIGHT" TEMPERATURES, CLOCK WON'T SET TO CURRENT MONTH,DATE, YEAR. 3.)THE 10 YEAR;100 MILE WARRANTY IS DISREGARDED/MINIMIZED; FROM 24,000 MILES. 4.) WHILE IN FOR DEFECT REVIEW; THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO ME FROM 2 DEALERSHIPS WITH "DINGS" UP AND DOWN THE SIDE; DENTS ON CORNERS(PHYSICAL DAMAGE). IN ADDITION REPAIRS WEREN'T MADE AND MANAGERS LOOKED THE "OTHER WAY" AND FAILED TO RETURN CALLS OR RESPOND TO LETTERS. ALSO THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT BECAME A NEW ISSUE AND DEFECT INITIATED THE EVENING THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED HOME. WAS TOLD TO ANTICIPATE ENGINE TROUBLE TO BE INITIATED IN THE NEAR FUTURE DESPITE THE OIL CHANGE DATE BEING WITHIN LIMITS. WAS TOLD THAT EXCESSIVE OIL EXISTED AND BLAMED ME. THEN DEMANDED I PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS "BEFORE" THEY'D RELEASE CAR TO ME.(NEEDED FOR WORK). MGRS WERE DEFENSIVE AND SHUT DOWN REGARDING INFORMATION. 5.)THE "RECALLS" AREN'T RECOGNIZED OR CORRECTED ON 1ST,2ND, OR 3RD REQUEST-I'M TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY DON'T HAVE THE COMPUTER TO DO IT. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Equipment, Feb 16, 2006
WE HAD PURCHASE A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE ON 07/05/05 MOTOR WAY AUTO GROUP. THE CAR STARTED TO RIDE ROUGH. SO WE TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR GUY, AT THIS TIME WE THOUGH IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. BEFORE HE COULD CHECK ANYTHING I TOOK MY CAR HOME AND IT JUST STOPPED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. AT THIS TIME HE CHANGE THE CRANKSHAFT ASSEMBLY-WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT. A LOT OF COSTLY REPAIRS. HE TOLD US THAT IT IS RARE THAT ALL THOSE SENSORS WENT BAD AT ONE TIME. SO I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT SYSTEM AND I GOT THIS REPORT. HOW DO I GO BY GETTING MY CAR FIX RIGHT.*JB
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 25, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE HARMONIC BALANCE FELL OFF. SHE HEARD A LOUD CLUNG, AND THEN LOOKED INTO REARVIEW MIRROR. AT THAT TIME SHE SAW IT ROLLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SHE THEN PULLED OVER AND HER DAUGHTER TRIED TO PICK IT UP. THE PART WAS HOT, AND SHE BURNED HER FINGERS. THE PART WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE AND TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF WHY OR HOW THIS OCCURRED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2005
DT: 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE - VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED AND UNDER ANY CONDITION. AS A RESULT VEHICLE LOST POWER. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART BACK UP, AND AT TIMES THE CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE SIX CYLINDER ENGINES OF THE HYUNDAI SANTA FEE. BUT THIS VEHICLE, NOT A FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ASKED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY. *AK