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: structure
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Oct 12, 2018
RIGHT SIDE MAIN FRAME RUSTED THREW. CAN NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. CAR FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES THE CAR IS TOTALED AND NOT COVERED BY CAR INSURANCE !!!
Structure, Mar 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Mar 23, 2015
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, MY WIFE HAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AT 10 O'CLOCK IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROLLER ARM HAD BROKE - A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH WAS REPAIRED IN 2010 (OR SO WE THOUGHT). DUE TO THIS THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND WE ARE TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT, ALTHOUGH THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROLLER ARM WILL BE COVERED, THE DAMAGE TO THE STRUTS AND TIRES ARE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE SUM $973.31. OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC STATES THAT THE FRONT TIRES (UNDER 4 YEARS OLD AND HAVING LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THEM) AND THE STRUTS (UNDER 5 YEARS OLD) WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED IF NOT FOR THE ISSUE WITH THE SUBFRAME AND CONTROLLER ARM. AT OUR RECALL APPOINTMENT ON DECEMBER 22, 2014 (FOR A SEPARATE ISSUE), THE DEALERSHIP SAW NO ISSUE DURING THEIR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. OUR 2002 SANTA FE HAS 91,000 MILES, AND IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS SINCE THAT APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 300 MILES, AS MY WIFE'S WORK IS LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM HOME. HYUNDAI MOTORS AMERICA STATES THAT THEY ARE SEPARATE ISSUES AND THEREFORE NOT PART OF THE REPAIRS THEY WILL COVER. *TR
Steering, Structure, Dec 14, 2014
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE, AND WHEN TECHNICIAN WAS UNDER THE CAR, HE TOOK SOME PICTURES OF THE FRAME IN THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER BY THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HE WAS SHOWING ME THE FRAME WAS RUSTING VERY, VERY BADLY. HE WARNED US THAT IF WE HIT A SMALL POT HOLE/BUMP OR THE CURB AT EVEN 5 MPH THE FRAME COULD BUST AND WE COULD CRASH. THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AND MADE CHUGGING FEELING WHEN TRYING TO TURN, WAS LOOKED AT AND POWER STEERING LOOKED TO BE FINE AND FLUID WAS FULL. AFTER JULY 7TH IT MADE IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE AND NOT SAFE FOR OUR FAMILY. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Engine, Nov 28, 2014
TIRE BLOW OUT SERVICE TECH FOUND ROTTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE. *TR
Structure, Aug 19, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS HAD FRACTURED INTO THE FRAME AND THE OTHER BOLT WOULD BRAKE SOON. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO PERFORMED THE ALIGNMENT AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,000.
Suspension, Structure, Jun 30, 2014
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE THE BODY OF THE CAR WAS SWAYING AWAY FROM THE FRAME; THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; THIS SCARED THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I DROVE THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME LATER AFTER HE'D EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH CORROSION IN THE REAR TRAILING ARM THAT THERE WAS NO PLACE TO WELD ANYTHING ON TO. COMPLETE CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS. I COULDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD, BEING ON UNEMPLOYMENT. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Dec 3, 2012
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THERE IS PULLING OF THE WHEEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. THERE IS A SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER HAVING THE TIMING BELT REPLACED, I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THERE WAS A RUST PROBLEM IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HE TOLD ME THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE RUST ON THIS VEHICLE IS MORE LIKE RUST OF A VEHICLE THAT IS 50 YEARS OLD NOT TEN YEARS. HE ALSO SAID THE FRAME COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME TO CONTACT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. I CALLED HYUNDAI'S 800 NUMBER ONLY TO BE TOLD THE SAME THING. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Oct 17, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CENTER AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER. AN INSPECTION FOUND THAT WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT ON THE FRONT BOLT. ORDERED A NEW SUB FRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO REMEDY THE CONDTION. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Sep 18, 2012
TOOK MY CAR FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND TIRES. FRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BOLT UP HAS SERIOUS RUST ISSUES. I SEE IN SOME NOTES THAT THE RUST AND CORROSION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE HYUNDAI'S. IS THERE ANY WAY I AM ELIGIBLE TO GET THIS REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI OR AT LEAST AT SOME DISCOUNTED RATE? *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jul 23, 2012
I WAS GOING TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED & ALIGNMENT ON A 2002 SANTE FE. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS RUST/ROTTED OUT FRAME WAS WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS UP TO THE RIGHT TIRE AREA. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS SINCE I HAD A PRE-INSPECTION DONE & ALL CAME BACK OK. IT IS IN AN AREA WHERE IF THE TIRES ARE NOT OFF OF IT, IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE. I SUSPECT IT IS RUSTED DUE TO THE SALTY LOCATION OF ILLINOIS. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jul 30, 2011
THERE IS EXTENSIVE AND THROUGH THICKNESS CORROSION ON THE FRONT RIGHT SUBFRAME OF MY HYUNDAI 2002 SANTA FE, IT HAS RESULTED IN THE BOLTED JOINT OF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATING FROM THE SUB FRAME. THIS WAS FORTUNATELY CAUGHT BY A REPAIR SHOP AND DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SYMPTOMS WERE STEERING PULL, AND NOISE WHEN TURNING, AND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM TO THAT WHICH TRIGGERED THE 089 RECALL ON THE SONATA. PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND ARE AVAILABLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS OF YET. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR IS FINE, NO CORROSION AT ALL. *TR
Structure, May 19, 2011
HYUNDAI 2002 SANTA FE BEGAN DRIFTING DURING DRIVING AND DEVELOPED UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. BROUGHT TO GARAGE - DURING INSPECTION FOR CAUSE, MECHANIC FOUND RUSTED FRAME WHERE FRONT BOLT OF CONTROL ARM IS BOLTED TO FRAME (FRAME COMPLETELY GONE, BOLT WAS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING). FRAME AND TIRES REPLACED AND ALIGNMENT ACCOMPLISHED TO FIX PROBLEM - OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. CAR WAS PART OF INITIAL RUST RECALL AND INSPECTED BY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WITH ONLY ACTION BEING UNDERCOATING APPLIED. *TR
Structure, Feb 7, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE ALIGNMENT REPAIRED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FRONT FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
Structure, Mar 1, 2010
MY 2002 SANTE FE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR REAR TRAILING ARM REPAIR AND I'VE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR A LOANER CAR. THE DEALER IS FAR FROM BOTH MY HOME AND WORK AND THIS WILL REQUIRE ME TO RENT A CAR AT MY EXPENSE. REPAIRING THE DEFECT IS THE VERY LEAST HYUNDAI SHOULD DO. TO TRULY BE AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER, THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE A LOANER CAR, AS IT WOULD WITH ANY WARRANTY REPAIR. *TR
Structure, Mar 21, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE IN SPRING 2007. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH UNTIL TWO DAYS AGO I BEGAN TO FEEL THE CAR WHEEL JERK ON THE FREEWAY. I BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND ASKED MY BOYFRIEND TO DRIVE THE CAR AND SEE HOW HE FELT IN IT. THAT NIGHT ON HIS WAY TO WORK AS HE WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY THE TIRE POPPED OFF. WHEN THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CAR STORE THE MECHANIC SAID THE TIRE POPPED OFF DUE THE FRONT SUBFRAME BEING ROTTED AND RUSTED OUT. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WILL BE $3400. NO ONE WAS INJURED. HOWEVER DURING THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES I CAN BARELY MAKE ENDS MEET. MY FAMILY HAS NO TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL OR WORK. GRANTED THAT I RECEIVE THE JOB OFFER FROM A COMPANY I RECENTLY INTERVIEWED WITH I WILL BE UNABLE TO ACCEPT FOR I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION TO GET THERE. I NOTICE THAT HYUNDAI HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH MANY OF ITS CARS WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THEIR QUALITY? *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