2003 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 308 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 26 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 20 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
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.
IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 04V131000 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
Representative owner complaints
308 reports, newest first.
Power train, Feb 17, 2006
ON MANY OCCASIONS OUR 2003 SANTA FE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THEN VIOLENTLY JERKING OR CATCHING BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING PASSENGERS TO BE SLAMMED FORWARD AND BACKWARD IN THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS AT ANYWHERE FROM 20-65 MPH AND HAPPENS RANDOMLY. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH THE EXACT SAME RESULTS - COULD NOT DUPLICATE COMPLAINT. *JB
Power train, Jan 6, 2006
BAD CLUTCH AFTER 39,000 MILES - DEALER SAID NOT COVERED AND NEVER SEEN DEFECT IN OVER THREE YEARS - CHECKED A WEB SITE WHERE THERE WERE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING EARLY CLUTCH FAILURES. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 28, 2005, crash
ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 I WAS PULLING INTO A SPACE TO PARK MY VEHICLE I WAS PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND IT WAS HARD BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO A PARKED CAR WHICH RECEIVED $58.77 WORTH OF DAMAGE PROCEEDING HOME AS I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT I SLOWED DOWN AND THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE I USED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE I ROLLED INTO A CAR STOPPED AT THE LIGHTS. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TWICE MORE GETTING HOME,I CALLED HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISSTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED TO LIA HYUNDAI OF ENFIELD UPON CALLING HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISSTANCE THE GENTLEMAN TOLD ME THAT THEIR HAD BEEN A LETTER SENT OUT ABOUT A REPROGRAM TO THE ABS ON SANTA FE'S I ALSO CONTACTED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND INFORMED THEM OF MY PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD FORWARD ME A LETTER REQUESTING CERTAIN THINGS PERTAINING TO MY VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM I HAD PART OF THAT REQUEST WAS FOR COLORED PICTURES OF MY VEHICLE. MY WIFE AND I DROVE TO LIA AND TOOK DIGITAL PICTURES OF MY VEHICLE. WE FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE FRONT SEAT OF MY VEHICLE HYUNDAI #04-01-002 DATED MARCH 4, 2005 SUBJECT (HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT HECU REPROGRAMMING. THIS ALSO SAID IT WAS FOR 2003 AND 2004 MY SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L V6 ENGINES. MY VEHICLE IS A 2.7L V6 ENGINE. THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ON 11-2-05 TO INSPECTED MY VEHICLE I RECEIVED A LETTER ON FRIDAY 11-25-05 THAT THEY FOUND NO MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEIR INSPECTOR WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION I INDICATED CAUSED MY ACCIDENT. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER INSPECTED MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 10, 2005 TJE INSPECTOR'S REPORT STATES THAT CRAIG THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE IS A BRAKE PROBLEM AND AS YET HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. TECH DROVE VEHICLE AND BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED BACK WHILE TRYING TO STOP. *NM
Steering, Oct 18, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING UNIT REBUILT ON THE 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. AT 54,000 MILES HE WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH THE POWER STEERING UNIT AND AT 77,034 IT WAS CHECKED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNS SHARPLY A GRINDING NOISE COULD BE HEARD. THE CALLER STATED THAT ON SHORT TRIPS THE GRINDING SOUND DID NOT OCCUR, IT ONLY OCCURRED ON TRIPS LONGER THAN 50 MILES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE THE FIRST TIME. THE CALLER SAID THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF BLACK STUFF IN THE FLUID; IT WAS THE PLASTIC FROM THE REPLACEMENT PART. THE CALLER STATED THAT THE INVOICE DID NOT SAY THAT THE PART WAS REPLACED. IT JUST STATED THAT THE DEALER HAD FOUND IT TO BE OKAY FOR NOW. THE CALLER WAS CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN LATER.*AK *MR *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 20, 2005, crash
DT: CONTACT STATED THE RUBBER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CAME OFF, AND BECAUSE IT WAS NOT THEIR THE CONTACT DAUGHTER'S FOOT SLIPPED OFF AND SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT. THIS HAPPENED ON 9-16-05. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE THAT IT HAD COME OFF. SHE WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THEY NEVER HAD SUCH PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT TO CALL THE CONSUMER CENTER, AND THEY REFERRED HER TO THE NHTSA SAFETY HOT LINE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 7, 2005, crash
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED TOWARD A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, I APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH NO RESULTS. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. RELEASED, RE-APPLIED - STILL NO BRAKES. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN THE CAR CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT THAT WAS WAITING AT THE RED STOP LIGHT. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I WAS CHARGED .5 LABOR HOURS ($46.50) AND SENT ON MY WAY WITH NO RESOLUTION OR EXPLANATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE LOSS OF BRAKES AND RESULTING ACCIDENT. ON THIS SAME SERVICE DAY, AFTER CONSULTING WITH HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A 2ND HYUNDAI DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION/INSPECTION. I WAS CHARGED ANOTHER $19.95 BUT AGAIN, SERVICE COULD NOT IDENTIFY A PROBLEM. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE HISTORY OF SERVICE ON THIS NEW VEHICLE, I CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS SERVICED IN APRIL 2004 AS A RESULT OF A RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED (RECALL NO. 065 - ABS REPROGRAMMING). ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE TICKET INDICATED THE CORRECTION INCLUDED "PERFORMING RECALL #065. HECU REPROGRAMMING", THE SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION OF CONSEQUENCE LISTED IN YOUR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED ON THE DATE OF MY ACCIDENT. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, I HAD MY VEHICLE THROUGH A CAR WASH. NEITHER HYUNDAI DEALER QUESTIONED WHETHER THE BRAKE PAD MAY HAVE BEEN WET AND/OR ACKNOWLEDGED THAT JUST OVER A YEAR EARLIER, THIS VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN UNDER A RECALL INVOLVING THE ABS, THE CONSEQUENCE OF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRING AND A POSSIBLE CRASH RESULTING. IN NOVEMBER 2004 (AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED), THE VEHICLE AGAIN DISPLAYED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER, SERVICE COULD NOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS ON INSPECTION. THE EVENTS AND HISTORY LEADING TO THE CURRENT FAILURE SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL WORK PERFORMED WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. MY FOLLOW UP CALL TO HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS NOT BEEN RETURNED TO DATE. *JB
Air bags, Sep 7, 2005, crash
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT WITH A MINI VAN AND MY PASSENGER FRONT WAS DAMAGED. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE MOSTLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT WITH THE DAMAGE IT SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Aug 26, 2005
VERY SIMILAR TO COMPLAINT 10128836. (RECENTLY PURCHASED 2003 2.7L V-6) (1) VEHICLE BUCKED VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 70 - 75 MPH TWICE IN THE LAST 2 DAYS. NO BUCKING AT LOWER SPEEDS (SUV IS SELDOM DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY, SO THIS MAY BE LIMITED TO A HIGHER SPEED PROBLEM) (2) STALLED WHILE WAITING (FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AT A STOP LIGHT THE SAME DAY ONE OF THE BUCKING INCIDENTS OCCURRED. AMBIENT TEMP WAS 96 DEG AND AC WAS WORKING HARD. (3) 1 INCIDENT OF VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WITH FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE. (4) LCD CLOCK WORKS ONLY ON OCCASION DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET - I DON'T KNOW IF HE CAN DUPLICATE. *JB
Equipment, Aug 20, 2005
I HAVE A 2003 SANTA FE (MARCH 2003 PURCHASED). SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE I REPORTED TO DEALER THAT IT JERKS VIOLENTLY (STALLS) AND RESTARTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD SOMETIMES JUST DIE AT A IDLE STOP LIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON (ALWAYS STARTED BACK UP). THE DEALER INSPECTED AND COULD NOT FIND OR REPLICATE ANY ISSUES. I CALLED BACK AGAIN AS THIS WOULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND IS QUITE ALARMING. I TRAVEL AS A HEALTHCARE CONSULTANT SO I NEED A DEPENDABLE CAR. JUST THIS WEEK THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AND IT RAN QUITE BAD I DROVE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD CRANK AND TEMP SENSOR. THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR AND I WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED AT THE CARS PERFORMANCE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ACCELERATED SMOOTHLY AND NO MORE JERKY VIOLENT STALLS. THE DEALER SAID THE SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN BAD ALL ALONG AND FINALLY GAVE OUT. I WAS CHARGED 440 DOLLARS AS THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I THINK THIS NEEDS INVESTIGATED FURTHER AFTER READING ALL THE SIMILAR REPORTS I DO TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS ASSEMBLY AT THE VERY LEAST THE SENSORS BEING USED IN THE VEHICLES. I AM REQUESTING A REFUND FROM HYUNDAI IN THIS MATTER.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 11, 2005
MY 28 MONTH OLD 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 15,809 MILES BEGAN MAKING A SCREECHING SOUND IN THE REAR. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE REAR DISC PADS HAD CORRODED AND FROZEN TO THE CALIPERS, MAKING THEM INOPERATIVE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAND BLASTED THE PADS AND CALIPERS AND LUBRICATED THEM. MY IMPRESSION WAS THAT THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN I DESCRIBED IT. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL FOR THAT VEHICLE AND WAS NOT A DEFECT AND WAS THUS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *NM
Electrical system, Jul 18, 2005
DT: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE QUIT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. IT RESTARTED. . IN 6-05-05 THE DEALER CHANGED THE COMPUTER ASSEMBLY , AND ADDED SCAN TOOL OPERATION AND CHANGED THE RELAY ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. HE NOTICED THIS HAPPENING AT APPROXIMATELY. 25,000 MILES. AT ONE TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BUT IT WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Power train, Jul 14, 2005
MY 2003 SANTAFE HAS AN IDLE PROBLEM. IT FEELS LIKE IT MIGHT STALL WHEN I'M SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENLY AND THEIR IS NO CODE IN THE COMPUTER SO THEY SAY THEY CAN'T REPLACE ANY PARTS. THE CAR HAS BUCKED ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70MPH. IT'S BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I'M READY TO GET RID OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF FRUSTRATION.
Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2005
CAR SPORADICALLY STALLS - UNPREDICTABLY
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 20, 2005
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 SANTE FE, SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE FUEL LINES CAUSING GASOLINE TO POUR OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
Wheels, Jun 14, 2005
ON 4/05/2005 WHILE DRIVING ON SOUTH FLORIDA EXPRESSWAY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTE FE GL 4D CAME OFF. PRIOR TO THE WHEEL COMING OFF THE ONLY WARNING I RECIEVED WAS A SUDDEN VIBRATION. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 - 60 MPH, FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I NOTIFIED THE POLICE, OBTAINED A POLICE REPORT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME. I NOTIFIED THE HYUNDAI CORP, AND TOLD THEM OF MY INCIDENT. I WAS GIVEN FILE REFERENCE # 906136. I WAS LATER CONTACTED BY HYUNDAI CORP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY CLAIM ITEM (BUT WAS NEVER GIVEN A REASON). THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JAN 22, 2005, I PUT A LITTLE OVER 3000 MILES ON IT. I NEVER HAD ANY WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN CHANGED A TIRE/FLAT. I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR SINCE MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT IF ANYTHING I CAN DO. THE POLICE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER BOTH WERE SURPRISED I WAS NOT KILLED OR EVEN HURT. I WAS VERY LUCKY. THANK YOU SINCERLEY, WILFREDO CRUZ.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 1, 2005
ON VARIOUS OCCASSIONS THE SPEDOMETER WILL CEASE WORKING WHILE DRIVING AFFECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO, CAR SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT'S SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. OCCASSIONALLY, WHILE CAR IS IDLING, CAR WILL SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 13, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND APPLYING THE BRAKES,THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH INCREASED THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT. CURRENTLY, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT UNLESS THEY COULD REPRODUCE THE SYMPTOM WHEN THEY PERFORMED A TEST DRIVE AND IF THEY COULD SHOW A SPECIFIC CODE NUMBER, THE COMPUTER WOULD NOT ALLOW THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. RECALL CAMPAIGN #04V131000. *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 25, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACE IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEN, MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RELAY, FUEL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, AND THE COMPUTER MODULE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE HAS BEEN 6 INCIDENTS/FAILURES THAT ARE CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH STARTING AND STALLING. IT BECAME MORE FREQUENT AND STARTED HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING SANTA FE ON ROADS AND HIGHWAY. CONSUMER HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE AND FEAR OF IT STALLING IN THE CENTER LANE WHERE THERE IS LITTLE OPTIONS EXCEPT GETTING HIT AND POSSIBLE GETTING SERIOUSLY INJURED. *BF
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 24, 2005
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM, SIMILAR TO THOSE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF THE 3.5L SANTA FE'S. I KNOW THAT RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC, BUT I FEEL THAT HYUNDAI AND NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO RECALLING THE 2.7L LX SANTA FE ALSO. MY CONCERN IS THAT WHEN STOPPING THE ABS WILL INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATE CAUSING THE BRAKING DISTANCE TO INCREASE. WHEN IT ACTIVATES, THERE IS A RUMBLING NOISE AND VIBRATION AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP AT A SAFE DISTANCE. AT MANY TIMES, I HAVE RUN THROUGH STOP SIGNS OR ENTERED TOO FAR INTO INTERSECTIONS AT RED LIGHTS DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO HIT A BUMP OR ICE FOR THIS TO OCCUR, BUT MORE TIMES THAN NOT, I AM ON A SMOOTH, DRY SURFACE WHEN IT HAPPENS. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THEY EXPECT ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NORMAL ABS FUNCTION.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Mar 23, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO COAST, THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED, IT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. A THIRD TIME RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC
Wheels, Mar 18, 2005
THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, WHILE DRIVING 55-56 MPH. THE CONDITION CAUSES THE LEFT REAR ALLOY WHEEL TO SPLIT IN HALF AND DAMAGES THE EMERGENCY PARKING CABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NM *NM
Power train, Feb 22, 2005
RECENTLY, MY 2003 SANTA FE HAS HAD A GRINDING/WHINNING/RUBBING NOISE WHEN I TAKE OFF AT LOW SPEEDS. SOUNDS LIKE MIGHT BE TRANSMISSION, WHEEL BEARING OR PULLEY, BUT NOT SURE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALSHIP AND HIS ANALYSIS WAS THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE IDLER PULLEY. ORDERED NEW PULLEY AND WILL REPLACE WHEN IT COMES IN. THIS NOISE WOULD COME AND GO AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 5 - 25 MPH AND WOULD LAST FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UP TO A MINUTE.*AK
Power train, Feb 22, 2005
ON MANY OCCASIONS OUR 2003 SANTA FE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THEN VIOLENTLY JERKING OR CATCHING BACK INTO GEAR, CAUSING PASSENGERS TO BE SLAMMED FORWARD AND BACKWARD IN THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS AT ANYWHERE FROM 20-65 MPH AND HAPPENS RANDOMLY. HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASSIONS WITH THE EXACT SAME RESULTS - COULD NOT DUPLICATE COMPLAINT.*AK
Power train, Feb 17, 2005
THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON THE WAY HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE CLUTCH IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Feb 10, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED. UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUED TO COAST. HOWEVER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME WHICH LED TO ANOTHER ACCIDENT, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK