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: power train
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Power train, Wheels, Nov 10, 2020
MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS SHARPLY JERKING TO THE RIGHT ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP IT SOUNDS AS IF THE CAR IF GOING TO FALL INTO PEICES IM A DISABLED MOM WITH ONE ONE THE WAY I CAN'T DRIVE FOR FEAR IM GOING TO LOSE THE WHEEL AND CRASH
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Feb 17, 2018
THE BELT THAT RUNS THE ALTERNATER HAS BROKEN TWICE AND CONTINUOUSLY IS SQUEALING IT WONT KEEP SPEED WHEN GOING UP HILL AND WONT LET BATTERY CHARGE CORRECTLY TO KEEP RUNNING WILL STOP WHEN IT IS BEING RAN
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 25, 2014
WHEN EVER THE UNDER ENGINE GETS WET THE CAR TURNS OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS COME ON. WHEN IT STOPS I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND IT LOCKS UP. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN THE RAIN AND THE CAR STARTED JOLTING THAT THE CAR WAS OFF THEN ON THEN OFF THEN ON AGAIN. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR IN THE TORRENTIAL RAIN GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. WHENEVER IT RAINS OR IF I GO THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, I WAS TOLD THAT NORMALLY THERE IS AN ENGINE UNDERCOVER BUT THERE IS NOT ONE ON MY CAR NOR WAS THERE EVER ONE PUT ON BY THE MANUFACTURER. HAVING NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OUT WHENEVER WATER IS SPLASHED UP ONTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSES THE BELT TO AJAR AND THAT STOPS ELECTRICAL FROM FLOWING TO THE CAR AND THEREFORE IT STALLS OUT AT VERY DANGEROUS TIMES; LIKE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER IS AVAILABLE AND THEREFORE THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR?? *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 8, 2011
I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY SON TO SCHOOL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STARTED TO REV UP AND AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF IT CONTINUED TO DO SO UNTIL I GOT CLOSE TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE MORE AND I HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING IT I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND WAS PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND I WENT OVER A PARKING BUMPER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF! IT SCARED THE DAY LIGHTS OUT OF ME I COULD HAVE IF NOT KILLED SOMEONE, BUT SEVERELY HURT SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AND NOT TO MENTION POSSIBLY MY SON....I HAD MY BOSS CHECK IT AND THE CABLE THROTTLE CAME OUT HOW I DO NOT KNOW...I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I LOOKED UP TO SEE IF OTHERS WHO OWNED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY DID!! *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Traction control system, Dec 24, 2009
PREMATURE RUSTING OF POWERSTERING 2 (5 YEAR), & TRANSMISSION 2 (6 YEAR ), & BRAKE (7 YEAR), STEEL LINES . AND ABS, TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR RING ON FRONT DRIVE WHEELS SHAFT, RUST & SPLIT, NEEDED TO REPLACE AXLES AS THE ONLY FIX. RIGHT FRONT AXLE TO TRANSMISSION CASE SEAL SLIPS OUT AND LEAKS OIL HAS BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY & STILL NEED TO BE PUT BACK IN A OIL CHANGES (3000MILES) ON 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . *TR
Power train, Nov 19, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LEFT JOINT AXLE ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. THE BOOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AXLE WAS ALSO TORN; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT SINCE THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD REPAIR IT ACCORDINGLY. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE BOOT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81000.
Power train, Jul 20, 2009
2002 & 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TRANSMISSION CASE DEFECT: WE LIKED THE FIRST SO MUCH, WE BOUGHT A SECOND.... NO INDICATION OF MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL. REGARDING TRANSFER CASE ATTENTION OR MAINTENANCE WHICH VIOLENTLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DANGEROUSLY, ABRUPTLY STOP - RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY SAFETY SITUATION AND PERSONAL INJURY. WE HAVE THE OLD TRANSFER CASE - WHICH LOOKS INSIDE, LIKE A TOSSED SALAD. WE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT BY WESTERN AUTO - A MATTER THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REPORTED IN GREAT DETAIL TO HYUNDAI USA, THEY DENY RESPONSIBILITY OR WARRANTY COVERAGE IN EFFECT AT THE TIME PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLES WERE PURCHASED AS 'DEALER DEMOS,' WITH LOW MILEAGE AND FULL MANUFACTURERS 100,00 MILE, 10 YEAR WARRANTY - UNFORTUNATELY FROM A DEALER MISREPRESENTING THEMSELVES AS AN AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. 2002 VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN PROBLEM REALIZED, - DURING WARRANTY PERIOD, BUT REPORTED NO PROBLEM. WE LATER DISCOVERED A REPAIR / MODIFICATION KIT WAS ISSUED BY HYUNDAI TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM - PURCHASED AT WESTERN AUTO - HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ITEM UNTIL WE SHOWED IT TO HIM IN A BRAND NEW UNOPENED BOX. HYUNDAI DID INSTALL THE MODIFICATION / REPAIR KIT TO THE SECOND 2004 SANTA FE AFTER WE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION. ALL DOCUMENTED BY HIDDEN CAMERA VIDEO RECORDING. DANGEROUS AND COSTLY SITUATION. PLEASE ADVISE. WE SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR AND TOWING COSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. *TR HAROLD BAYUK
Power train, Oct 7, 2008
I BOUGHT A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, STANDARD 5-SPEED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH TWICE. NOW I AM REPLACING IT AGAIN AS IT WAS DAMAGED BY THE FLY WHEEL. A NEW FLY WHEEL COSTS $1500.00. I HAVE MADE EXTENSIVE EFFORTS TO FIND A USED ONE. MOST OF THE SALVAGE YARDS TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ONE BECAUSE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM AND EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR ONE. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME MOST FLY WHEELS ARE MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE AND DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MOST FLY WHEELS COST UNDER $100.00, SO MOST WARRANTIES DO NOT COVER THE FLY WHEEL. IT SEEMS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS SINCE IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. *TR
Power train, Jun 18, 2008
WITH REGARDS THE TRANSMISSION OF THE SUV HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2002 AND IT HAS BEEN 4 WEEKS STILL ON THE DEALER SHOP AND NO EXTRA RENTAL CAR PROVIDED AFTER 4 WEEKS THAT'S BEEN,JUST WANTS TO FIND OUT IF IT PART OF THE RECALL VEHICLE. IF WE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING , WHO KNOWS COULD IT HAPPEN IF WE'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION START TO FALL OUT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THIS CONSIDER AS A RECALL, THANK YOU ... *TR
Power train, Feb 14, 2008
HI I WENT TO MY HYUNDAI DEALER TODAY FOR WHAT APPEARED TO BE A RE-OCCURRING FLUID LEAK ON THE TRANSFER CASE SEAL, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THIS TIME THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A VENT TUBE LOCATED AT THE TRANSFER CASE. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REFERENCED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THAT THE FLUID WILL ONLY APPEAR DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. THIS SEEMS TO BE WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ,WITH MY VEHICLE. MY ISSUE IS THAT IN ORDER TO STOP THIS FLUID LEAK,THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE TRANSFER CASE VENT TUBE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED UNIT. I AM ALSO TOLD THAT THIS NEW UNIT WILL NOT BE REPLACED UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. I ASKED WHY NOT?? IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW ON HYUNDAI'S PART ,HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL THE NEW VENT TUBE UNIT AT THERE COST,NOT THE CONSUMERS'. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $224.32 PARTS AND LABOR TO CORRECT AN ISSUE THAT IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW THAT OCCURRED FROM HYUNDAI. PLEASE RESPOND ACCORDINGLY KENNETH JOHN BASTA *TR
Power train, Jan 8, 2008
CLUTCH WAS SLOW TO ENGAGE; SLIPPING. SERVICE PEOPLE AT THE DEALER SAID CLUTCH WAS NO GOOD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 29,700 MILES. THE NEW CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL PLUS LABOR COST ME OVER $1600. *TR
Power train, Mar 27, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. DURING ITS LAST OIL CHANGE IT WAS NOTED THAT THE OIL WAS LEAKING AT THE JOINT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW TRANS AXLE SEAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,598. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE OIL BEGAN LEAKING TWO DAY LATER. THE PART WAS ORDERED FROM HYUNDAI.*AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED VARIOUS PICTURES OF ABOVE PROBLEM. UPDATE *4/23/07 *TR
Power train, Jun 10, 2005
SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA HAD THEM BOTH REPLACED WITH LOW MILEAGE, PROBLEM IS BEING OVER LOOKED BECAUSE WITH THE 100,000 WARRANTY NOBODY EVER FILES A COMPLAINT , THEY JUST REPLACE THEM , THIS PROBLEM IS THERE ,REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT, LEFT FRONT, LOUD NOISE OCCURED AND GETS LOUDER HAS YOU DRIVE,
Power train, Mar 8, 2005
THE CONSUMER'S 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. *NM THE COMPANY HAS ANOTHER 2002 SANTA FE( VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER KMHSC81BP2U260090) THAT HAS THE SAME UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER. NUMEROUS SERVICE HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.
Power train, Air bags, Feb 23, 2005, fire
MY 2002 V6 4WHEEL DR HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65- 70 MPH DROPPED A DRIVE LINE, IGNITING FLAMES TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. LITHIA OF FRESNO CLAIMS IT WAS DUE TO LOW FLUIDS IN THE TRANSFER CASE, THUS IT OVERHEATED AND THE LINE SNAPPED OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED 2 WEEKS PRIOR, THE FLUIDS WERE FINE, THE TRANSFER CASE WAS OKAY. THERE WAS A VAGUE HUM IN THE DRIVE OF THE CAR AFTER RETURNING FROM THE MOUNTAINS THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. OTHER 2ND OPINIONS BELIEVE THE AUTO SWITCH IN THE SMART SYSTEM FAILED AND LEFT IT STUCK IN 4WHEEL DR HENCE OVERHEATING THE TRANSFER CASE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARANTY FOR REPAIRS (120,000 ON POWER TRAIN/ENGINE) THEY DENIED THE WARANTY COVERAGE, SO IT'S NOT REPAIRED. ESTIMATE IS OVER $6,000.00. THERE SHOULD BE AN INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE CAR AS TO WHAT DRIVE IT'S IN, AND ENGINEERING MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND HAZZARD. INVESTIGATE PLEASE.*AK