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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 11, 2004
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH BRAKE ENGAGED VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. DRIVER ENGAGED THE BRAKES FURTHER, AND FELT VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL. THEN, VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Tires, Feb 3, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH LEFT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2004
THR CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATES THE CAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING DISLODGING ALL PASSANGERS. THE ACCELERATER TAKES A FEW MOMENTS TO GET THE CAR GOING. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAPPEN AT ALL SPEEDS, WEATHER CONDITIONS AND ROAD CONDITIONS.*AK
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2004
VEHICLE READS DIFFERENT MILEAGE THAN WHAT ITS SUPPOSE TO BE. *PH THE VEHICLE LOCKS ITSELF. (KEYS ON PEG IN THE HOUSE AND IT LOCKS. PER CONSUMER) *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 11, 2004
VEHICLE HAS HAD A HIGH PITCHED WHINE AT 35 MPH, COASTING, ACCELERATING, OR BRAKING. NOTICEABLE TO ALL DRIVERS/PASSENGERS, BUT NOT TO DEALER TECHNICIAN/SERVICE MANAGER. HAVE HAD IT IN THREE TIMES WITH NO CONDITION FOUND. AS TIME GOES BY I AM NOTICING THAT ALONG WITH THE NOISE, THE BRAKES FEEL WEAK AND I NEED ONLY MOVE MY ANKLE WITHOUT TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCAISIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD IN THE RAIN, IT WOULD NOT STOP AS I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I REPRORTED IT TO HYUNDAI, AND WENT BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD (WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE CAR) BY DEALER SERVICE MANAGER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND I AM WASTING THEIR TIME AND WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT EXAMINED. FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WHO HAS NEVER EVEN SEEN THE VEHICLE CALLED TO SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO USE ANTILOCK BRAKES CORRECTLY ( I DO KNOW HOW TO USE THEM, I'VE ALWAYS STOPPED WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SO I HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT). HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA 800 633 5151 X45017 FILE#785260 NEVER GOT ANYTHING ACCOMPLISHED ON MY BEHALF AND NEVER CALLED BACK, NEVER DID ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. I AM CONCERNED THE CAR WILL NOT STOP WHEN I WANT IT TO SO I ONLY USE IT WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, NOT EXACTLY WHAT A NEW CAR IS MEANT FOR. ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT I CANNOT GO TO THE NEAREST DEALER AS THEY WILL NOT LOOK AT IT UNDER HYUNDAI'S OFTEN MENTIONED 5 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jan 9, 2004
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 9, 2004
ABS PUMP INITIATED UNNECESSARILY. WHILE PUMP WAS RUNNING, BRAKING POWER WAS LOST AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP, COASTING THROUGH INTERSECTION. VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY SHIFTING TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND USING HAND BRAKE.*AK
Suspension, Dec 12, 2003
WHEN AT A STOP VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK FORWARD. DEALERSHIPS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Dec 11, 2003
AT 5,980 MILES ENGINE STARTED TO CREATE ENGINE NOISE. DEALER SAID THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE'S CRANKSHAFT. *LA THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER REPLACED MANY COMPONENTS; CRANKSHAFT, TRANSMISSION, BELT TENSIONER AND PULLEY. NONE OF THOSE REPAIRS CORRECTED THE NOISE. THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO BE INOPERATIVE. *NM
Fuel system, Other, Dec 11, 2003
GAS TANK GAUGE IS GIVING FALSE READINGS. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, NEVER KNOWS WHEN VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF GAS.*AK
Fuel system, Other, Dec 2, 2003
FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO READ THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL IN THE GAS TANK. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES, AND REPLACED THE FUEL GAUGE ONCE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 2, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEN THE BRAKE RELEASED AFTER STOPPING AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB *NM
Air bags, Dec 2, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK THE POLICE STATED THE AIR BAGS SHOULD'VE DEPLOYED. VEHICLE SUSTAINED $5000. DOLLARS IN DAMAGES. THE PERSON WHO VEHICLE SHE HIT, LEFT THE SCENE BEFORE THE POLICE ARRIVED. *PH
Seat belts, Nov 24, 2003
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WOULD NOT GO OUT AFTER START OF ENGINE. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER WHERE I WAS ADVISED THAT DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER THAT THE CIRCUIT THAT TIED THE AIRBAGS WITH THE SENSORS IN THE BUMPERS ETC. WOULD KEEP THE AIRBAGS FROM DEPLOYING. DEALER INDICATED THEY WERE ORDERING A NEW PART TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AND FURNISHED ME WITH A LOANER. THEY DID NOT WANT ME TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION SINCE IT WOULD TAKE 2 DAYS TO GET A NEW PART. *LA
Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2003, crash
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE REVVED AND ACCELERATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP BUT IDLING. CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE TIME OF THESE INCIDENTS. ON THE THIRD OCCASION IT RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. *AK
Visibility, Nov 7, 2003
THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2004 INSTALLED WITH A MOON ROOF WITHOUT THE WIND DEFLECTOR CAN GIVE A SEVERE HEADACHE IF KEPT OPEN WHEN ALL OTHER WINDOWS ARE CLOSED. WHEN THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR A WIND DEFLECTOR, THEY SAID IT IS NOT AVAILABLE. *LA
Visibility, Oct 29, 2003
MY 2003 SANTE FE'S SUNROOF LEAKS.NO MATTER IF I AM DRIVING OR THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.DEALERSHIP STATED WHEN I ASKED ABOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. THEY HAD TRIED ON OTHER OCCASIONS WITH OUT SUCCESS.I HAVE CALLED THE CORP.OFFICE ABOUT THIS SITUATION WITH NO LUCK!LOOK'S LIKE I AM STUCK!*AK
Vehicle speed control, Oct 1, 2003, crash
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 12, 2003
WHILE ACCELERATING AFTER A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUSH ON THE PEDAL TO MAKE IT GO, ESPECIALLY AT A SPOTLIGHT FOLLOWING OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE CRANK SENSOR WAS INSTALLED WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ANOTHER MECHANIC SOLVED THE PROBLEM IN A FEW MINUTES STATING THAT IT WAS A MINOR MECHANICAL PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
Power train, Sep 4, 2003
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE PEDAL TO GIVE THE VEHICLE GAS TO TAKE OFF, IT DID NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES, AND THE LAST TIME THE MECHANIC PUT IN A SENSOR, BUT THAT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE THE CAR STILL WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE PEDAL. THE DEALER/MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *AK *SCC *JB
Power train, Sep 4, 2003
WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE HAD A DELAY IN ACCELERATING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT OTHER SANTA FE MODELS HAD DISPLAYED THE SAME PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
Vehicle speed control, Aug 27, 2003, crash
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, ACCELERATING UP TO 55 MPH. UPON UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility, Aug 4, 2003
DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AND DRIVER'S WINDOW BLEW IN.DEALER KNOWS OF NO SAFETY DEFECTS.*AK
Structure, Aug 4, 2003
TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY SANTA FE, I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR WATER A WATER LEAK. THEY STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE LEAK BY SEALING THE TAIL LIGHTS, HOWEVER, THERE WAS WATER ON THE CARGO COVER IN ADDITION TO THE CARPET. THIS REPAIR DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AS THE REAR CARGO AREA OF MY VEHICLE WAS WET AFTER IT RAINED YESTERDAY!*AK
Fuel system, Other, Aug 4, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2003 SANTA FE LX 4WD WITH APPROX. 250 MILES ON IT. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND WITH ONLY 1,781 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THEY REPLACED A FAULTY VENT VALVE.*AK