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
171 reports, newest first.
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
Suspension, Sep 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARMS FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,736.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2014
EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK IT TAKES 15 MINS TO FILL IT KEEPS COMING OUT THE FILLER TUBE ALL OVER THE CAR I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
Steering, Aug 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Suspension, Aug 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INADVERTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM AND FRAME WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Suspension, Aug 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES WOBBLED WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SWAYED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS APPEARED TO BE TURNED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
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, Jul 31, 2014
AFTER HAVING NEW SHOCKS, STRUTS, CV AXLES, AND NEW TOYO OPEN COUNTRY TIRES PUT ON 02 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS CAR WOULD PULL THE LEFT. WAS INFORMED IT NEEDED BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT END, I HAD THEM REPLACED WAS ALSO INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DOING THAT BUT WORSE. VEHICLE WAS GIVEN A WHEEL ALIGNMENT PER MECHANIC, CAR WAS STILL PULLING HARD. MECHANIC INSPECTED 02 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND REPORTED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW STEERING RACK. AFTER I HAD THAT INSTALLED VEHICLE WAS STILL PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT DURING ACCELERATION AND LEFT WHEN BREAKING OR LETTING OFF GAS. MECHANIC SAID VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAD ME LEAVE IT WITH THEM TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THEY REPORTED AND FIXED A ROTTED OUT FRONT END SUB FRAME. VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF BRAND NEW NOW. A YEAR PRIOR TO THE ABOVE INCIDENT I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL ON THOSE PARTS FOR ME. *TR
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, Jun 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AROUND A U-SHAPED DRIVE WAY, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND ABRUPTLY STOP. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE RIGHT WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF. THE RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD DETACHED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIGHT BALL JOINT, POWER STEERING HOSE AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,246. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 1/23/15*CN UPDATED 03/03/15
Suspension, Wheels, May 9, 2014
I HAVE A 2002 SANTA FE THAT BROKE ITS REAR LEFT ARM DUE TO RUSTING AND THE LEFT REAR WHEEL IS ALMOST DETACHED. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY 4 LANE STREET WHERE TRAFFIC TRAVELS AT 45 MPH. THE SUV SWIVELED AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STRUGGLE TO STOP RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATION. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 AND I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY ONLY ADDED ANTI-CORROSION AND DRILLED SOME HOLES, AS THEY HYUNDAI HAD GIVEN THEM THIS OPTION. I GUESS THIS WAS NOT THE RIGHT SOLUTION. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE ENTIRE ARM, IF THEY KNEW RUST WAS AN ISSUE. I TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER SANTA FES. THE DEALER HAS GRACIOUSLY OFFERED TO WORK WITH HYUNDAI TO GET THIS FIXED. HOWEVER, I THINK HYUNDAI DID NOT HANDLE THE RECALL RIGHT. IF THEY KNEW RUST WAS AN ISSUE, THEY SHOULD HAVE DIRECTED THE DEALERS TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS. I GUESS THEY FIGURED THESE VEHICLES WOULD BE OFF THE ROAD BY THEN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO WORK NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 197,000.
Seat belts, Feb 22, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED MY BRAKES AT AN INTERSECTION,WHEN I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP,THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE APART!I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART!!I AM SCARED IF I GET INTO A BAD ACCIDENT ,BUT, CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR.IS THERE A RESOLUTION. TO REPAIR/REPLACE BY HYUNDAI ,PER THEIR SAFETY DEPT AND GOOD WILL THE SERVICES AND PARTS!!!PLEASE HELP!!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Dec 1, 2013
THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATING RANDOMLY, INCREASING THE LENGTH OF A STOP. IT WILL ACTIVATE AT 0MPH (STOPPED) OR ANY SPEED; THE INDICATION IS THE PUMP RUNNING AND A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT BOTH FRONT ABS RELUCTOR (TOOTHED WHEELS) RINGS ARE BROKEN. THE SYSTEM (ABS, TRACS) FAILS COMPLETELY AS INDICATED BY THE DASH MONITOR, AT A SUSTAINED 50MPH OR HIGHER. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME VEHICLES. HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS DUE TO CORROSION, IT CAN TAKE AN LONG TIME TO APPEAR. CONTACTING HYUNDAI, THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED. I CANNOT EVEN FIND OUT HOW TO REPLACE THE RINGS IN THE FACTORY SHOP MANUAL, THOUGH THEY APPEAR TO BE HEAT SHRUNK ON. IF NEEDS BE, I WILL REPAIR THE EXISTING RINGS WITH A SPOT WELDER OR NEW RINGS BUT DO THINK THAT THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI. THANK YOU *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2013
CAR TURNED LEFT ONTO 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT N. HIGHLAND AVE. ATLANTA, CAR IMMEDIATELY LURCHED INTO WOT (WIDE OPEN THROTTLE) EXECUTING AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET, ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND FINALLY KNOCKING IT OUT OF GEAR, THE CAR STOPPED 10 FEET IN FRONT OF AN OUTSIDE PATIO OF BEER DRINKERS SITTING AT TABLES AT A LOCAL BAR. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT, IT WAS BY PURE LUCK AND FAST REACTION BY MY SON WHO IS DEATHLY AFRAID OF THIS CAR NOW. I PERSONALLY REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER TO FIND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD SEPARATED WHERE IT IS STAKED INTO IT'S MOUNTING HARDWARE. THE STAKED END SHEATH OF THE CABLE IS PULLED OUT OF IT'S STAKED HOUSING TUBE AND IN SOME CASES MAY GO BACK INTO IT CAUSING THE PROBLEM TO BE INTERMITTENT AND UNREPEATABLE ON REQUEST, HOWEVER, OUR CABLE END WAS UNABLE TO REENTER IT'S POSITION RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN. THE CABLE IS TOO SHORT BY DESIGN LEAVING IT TO BE ON A CONSTANT PULL UNTIL IT OVERCOMES THE STAKING AND SLIPS OUT. JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE THIS DATE. NEVER, SAID THEIR PARTS DEPT., AND SERVICE MANAGER. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL HYUNDAI CORP, OR, THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO QUOTE ME A COST TO REPAIR. LIKE HYUNDAI CORP. THEY WENT INTO IMMEDIATE REAR END COVERAGE MODE. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 12 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITH A WHINING NOISE UPON ENGAGEMENT. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO THE ABS HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Steering, Suspension, Jul 22, 2013
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE A NEAR SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY WIFE DRIVING THE TRUCK. 6/26/12 THE LEFT STEERING CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF THE TOTAL RUSTED OUT SUB-FRAME CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STEER DANGEROUSLY INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS WAS CAUSED FROM THE SUB-FRAME BEING RUSTED THROUGH. THIS TIME ON JULY 21 THE RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM, THAT SECURES THE RIGHT WHEEL IN POSITION, BROKE OFF. FORCING THE TRUCK TO SWERVE RIGHT ALMOST CARRYING MY WIFE AND THE TRUCK INTO A DITCH. BOTH OF THESE BREAKDOWNS ARE INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE I PURCHASED IT IN FLORIDA, NOT IN A NORTHERN SALT BELT STATE. SO I GUESS WHAT HYUNDAI IS SAYING IS, THAT THEY CAN BUILD A DEFECTED VEHICLE AND IF YOU BUY IT IN THE SOUTH, THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR SAFETY. I WAS NEVER INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WASN'T A CAR COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON THE FIRST INCIDENT. THAT WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS AND IT ENDED UP COSTING ME OVER $3,500. HOW DO I GET HYUNDAI TO STAND UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT TELLING ME THAT WE WERE RISKING OUR LIVES FOR DRIVING A POSSIBLE DANGEROUS VEHICLE AND PAY FOR REPAIRS THIS TIME. I GUESS THE SALT AIR BLOWING IN SOUTH FLORIDA 24/7 DON'T QUALIFY. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2013
THE 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE V6 WILL EITHER NOT START, STALL WHEN MOVING OR RUN EXTREMELY ROUGH. THE PROBLEM IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN IT IS RAINING OR HUMID OUT. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE SANTA FE AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. THE ISSUES COMES AND GO BUT HAVE BEEN MORE CONSTANT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. IN THE PAST, I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND HAD A TUNE UP PERFORMED BY THE LESTER GLENN HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I BOUGHT THE SANTA FE IN SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE TOLD THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ON OUR LAST VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY BELIEVED IT WAS DUE TO OLD SPARK PLUG WIRES. THE TUNE UP DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE AT ALL. AS I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND BECAME AWARE OF HYUNDAI RECALL 049 WHICH REPLACES THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I SPOKE TO HYUNDAI AND THEY EXPLAINED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO ITS PRODUCTION DATE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEMS I AM EXPERIENCING IS EXACTLY IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO EXPAND THE PERIMETERS OF THE RECALL TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2013
MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LX WENT FULL THROTTLE TODAY AND STAYED THERE. I WAS DRIVING ALONG AT 30 MPH WITH THE GAS PEDAL NORMALLY PRESSED AND THE CAR FELT LIKE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED ON. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE THROTTLE KEPT CLIMBING, SO I PULLED OVER AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL. THE THROTTLE WAS NOW FULLY OPEN AT THIS POINT SO I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. WITH REPEATED STARTS, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FULL THROTTLE WHILE IN NEUTRAL. THE GAS PEDAL WASN'T PRESSED DOWN OR STUCK. I'VE HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP SO THEY CAN IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. TOMORROW I SHOULD HAVE ANSWERS. VERY DANGEROUS! FIRST MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IN 11 YEARS AND IT ENDS UP BEING LIFE THREATENING. *TR
Engine, Jun 4, 2013
MY CAR JUST STOPPED WHILE DRIVING THE LIGHTS STILL WORKED AS DID THE RADIO IT THEN RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES....I CHANGED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND THAT SEEMED TO FIX IT FOR A TIME THEN IT STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER A HEAVY RAIN...I LOVE MY CAR THAT I JUST GOT USED BUT IF IT KEEPS DOING THIS IT IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE ON THE ROAD...PLEASE HELP *TR
Suspension, Jan 16, 2013
2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN STEERING CONTROL ARM AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHEN THE LEFT FRONT STEERING CONTROL ARM BROKE FREE FROM THE SUB FRAME DUE TO RUST. IT FORCED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE DANGEROUSLY TO THE LEFT ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE HAD RUSTED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ONLY VEHICLES THAT WERE BEING REPAIRED, WERE THE ONES PURCHASED IN NORTHERN SALT BELT STATES.
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
Vehicle speed control, Oct 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
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