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, Apr 15, 2013
I HAD NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS PUT ON MY CAR LAST YEAR 2012 BECAUSE THE BRAKE SHOE FELL OFF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I BEGAN TO HAVE A SCRAPPING NOISE IN MARCH 2013 AND THEN ON APPROXIMATELY MARCH 22, 2013 WHEN I WAS RETURNING FROM THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE MY CAR SEIZED WHEN I WAS AT A STOP. IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AND I COULD NOT TURN. TWO GUYS CAME TO ASSIST ME TO PUSH ME TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT BUDGE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO GOODYEAR IN SCHENECTADY. I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND PISTONS. THE REPAIR COST $476.00. THE CAR IS NOW MAKING A SCRAPPING NOISE AGAIN. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR THIS CAR AND I BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI OR THE STATE AUTHORITY SHOULD MAKE A RECALL FOR THE BRAKES, AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REFUNDED THE REPAIR COSTS FOR LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR. *TR
Suspension, Apr 13, 2013
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I SAW THE RECALL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ON 03 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SO I WENT TO TWO DEALERS AROUND MY AREA AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE CONDITION. ONE OF THEM DID NOT EVEN RESPONDED TO MY QUESTION AND RETURNED THE CAR, AND ANOTHER ONE SAID THEY ARE FINE AND NOT NEED TO BE EITHER TREATED OR REPLACED. THEN A FEW DAYS AGO, JUST WEB SURFING THE WEB AND FOUND THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM OF THE REAR TAILING ARMS RECALL. MY CAR HAS ALL THAT SYMPTOMS RIGHT NOW, BUT HYUNDAI IS TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE FAULTY TRAILING ARMS, AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. MY CAR SWING WHEN I MAKE TURNS WEIRDLY. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOOSE TRAILER IN THE BACK. ALSO THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR HAD BEEN LOWERED, AND ALSO WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP, I HEAR CREAKING SOUND. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS, STRUT MOUNTS, AND REAR SHOCKS SO THEY ARE NOT COMING FROM THOSE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) PERFORMED FOR RUST ON THE TRAILING ARMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WORKED FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUT WAS INFORMED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE REAR WHEEL AND FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 16, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED HOWEVER, A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Suspension, Dec 23, 2012
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOR MY SON WHICH HE TOOK TO COLLEGE. DURING WINTER BREAK, I TOOL IT TO A LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER TO HAVE A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, AS WELL AS CHECK A CREAKING SOUND IN THE LOWER LEFT REAR AND A "POP" SOUND WHEN DECELERATING. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE LOWER REAR LEFT TRAILING ARM IS BAD AND NEEDS TO REPLACED ASAP FOR SAFETY REASONS AT AROUND $500. I CHECKED ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON TRAILING ARMS FOR THIS YEAR, CONTACTED HYUNDAI - WHO PROMPTLY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED AS I AM NOT IN A "ROAD SALT" STATE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH HYUNDAI ADMITS, AND I FEEL ALL OF THE TRAILING ARMS HAVE FATIGUE ISSUES FROM THESE YEARS DUE TO INFERIOR MATERIALS. I FEEL HYUNDAI SHOULD STEP UP AND COVER THE COST, NO MATTER WHAT STATE WE LIVE IN, AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF. WE HAVE PLENTY OF RAIN, FLOODED STREETS AND "SALT AIR" HERE IN FLORIDA! *TR
Seat belts, Dec 13, 2012
MY SEAT BELT ALL-OF-A-SUDDEN STARTED POPPING OUT AFTER BEING SNAPPED IN PLACE. IT HAS DONE THIS A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE LAST WEEK. YESTERDAY, IT MUST HAVE DONE IT ABOUT FIVE TIMES. I HAVE TO KEEP SNAPPING IT IN PLACE AND TUGGING ON IT TO MAKE SURE IT IS SECURE. IT IS ESPECIALLY UNNERVING WHEN IT OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. YOU MAY LEAN TO THE SIDE AND ALL-OF-A-SUDDEN IT POPS OUT. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN, BUT MY GREATEST CONCERN IT MAY FAIL WHEN I NEED IT MOST, LIKE IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Dec 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MINOR INJURY TO HER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE INDICATED THAT IT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THEY ALSO ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY BE DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 10, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT THEN ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A STUCK THROTTLE. THE THROTTLE, BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE ALL REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,606.
Engine, Nov 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDIA SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED HAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP WHO STATED THE MALFUNCTION WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET BOLT. THE VEHICLE WAS NO REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 170,000.
Air bags, Aug 21, 2012
I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN WHICH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED STARTING IN DECEMBER 2006. AT WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG "CLOCK SPRING" WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON 12/6/2006 AT 33,154 MILES. *TR THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS IN MARCH, 2011. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE "CLOCK SPRING" AGAIN, WHICH WAS NOW NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND WOULD COST OF AROUND $285.00. THIS WAS NOT REPLACED DUE TO A SUGGESTION FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT MECHANIC. THE INDICATOR WAS RESET AND HAS BEEN OFF FOR OVER A YEAR. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS IN MAY 2012 (MILEAGE APPROX. 88,500), THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND NOW I'M TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW AIRBAG AT A COST OF AROUND $750.00!! THE INDICATOR WAS RESET AND AIR BAG NOT REPLACED THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED HUNDREDS OF "POSTS" ON THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM (MOST OF THEM ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) WEBSITE). HYUNDAI SANTA FE'S HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS! AND, TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, REPLACING EITHER THE CLOCK SPRING OR THE AIRBAG APPARENTLY DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY, THUS CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (#103) FOR THE 2007-2008 MODELS. THIS RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED ALL SANTA FE'S NOT JUST TWO YEARS. APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOT A NORMAL WEAR & TEAR ISSUE.
Steering, Suspension, Structure, Jul 27, 2012
THE RIGHT FRONT ROCKER ARM RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO NO LONGER BE PROPERLY SUPPORTED. THE LOWER SUPPORT ARM IS NO LONGER FASTENED TO THE FRONT SUPPORT FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE ALIGNMENT TO BE OFF, IMPROPER AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR (REPLACED TIRES WELL BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP). HYUNDAI HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER MODELS (FRONT SUB-FRAME) BUT NOT ON SANTA FE'S (ONLY REAR TRAILING ARM WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL). WHEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES IN MULTIPLE VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON, BUT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, ALL LOCATIONS SHOULD BE CHECKED AND NOT ONLY THE ONLY THAT IS PROMINENT. A 5 MINUTE ADDITIONAL INSPECTION VS. THE ULTIMATE WORSE CASE SCENARIO OF A DEATH, SEEMS LIKE A NO BRAINER. HYUNDAI KNEW THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO ADDRESS IT. THIS HAS NOW COST US ALMOST $3000 IN REPAIRS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. THE MECHANIC THAT FOUND THE PROBLEM WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE BE DRIVEN FROM HIS SHOP, AS IT IS TOO DANGEROUS. THE WORST PART IS IF THAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING OVER THE HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SEVERE CRASH, WHICH AS YOU KNOW COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. HYUNDAI WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN WE CONTACTED THEM. *TR
Suspension, Jul 24, 2012
DRIVING DOWN THE ROADWAY AT 45 MPH AND VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND MAKING THUMPING SOUNDS. THE STEERING WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE ALL OVER THE ROADWAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CAR CAN NOT BE FIXED DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM RUSTING AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 16, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY; HOWEVER FAILED TO REDUCE SPEED AND CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END BUMPER AND WAS NOT TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Service brakes, May 31, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD FLUCTUATE ON AND OFF. THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD ONLY REMAIN ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE CONTACT ADDED MORE BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ABS CONTROL UNIT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V131000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ), BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Steering, May 14, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT, THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE BATTERY AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE INSPECTED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED BECAUSE OF THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,987.
Air bags, Apr 17, 2012
THE AIR BAG ILLUSTRATION LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO, AT FIRST IT GOES ON AND OFF, BUT FINALLY IT STAYED ON A MONTH AFTER THAT. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR A MECHANIC TO RUN A DIAGNOSIS TEST, HE COULD NOT FIND ANY ERROR CODE. I ASKED THE DEALER IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG, THEY SAID NO AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $99 FOR DIAGNOSIS. *JS
Structure, Feb 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE SUB FRAME. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Air bags, Jan 3, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIRBAG AND TENSION WIRES WERE RESET NUMEROUS TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 19, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED AND LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE LEAK FROM THE RUSTED GAS TANK, SHE WAS FORCED TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE.
Suspension, Dec 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BEING REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS ASSISTING THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 153,000.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FRACTURED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,714.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 1, 2011
MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY ROAD TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AT FULL FORCE. THE VEHICLE DID EVENTUALLY SLOW DOWN TO A SPEED OF ABOUT 40-45 MPH AT WHICH POINT I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN AT THAT SPEED! ONCE OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY, I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN IT OFF TO A COMPLETE STOP! THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. A DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS TIME, THE REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED AS THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT HAVE THE PART THERE UNTIL THURSDAY, WHICH IS 3 DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED! I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW DANGEROUS AND SCARY THIS SITUATION WAS! LUCKILY, THIS TIME, NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED, BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THAT OUTCOME WAS DEFINITELY THERE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. I HOPE HYUNDAI TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO PERMANENTLY CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY LIVE THREATENING ISSUE! *TR
Power train, Oct 17, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE INTO GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 6, 2011
PLEASE REFERENCE THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT THAT WAS FILED IN JUNE 2010. THE REF. NO. IS 10351059. THE ABOVE VEHICLE IS STILL EXHIBITING "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" AND HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND OTHER LIKE VEHICLES. SINCE THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" ABOUT 10 TIMES. WHOEVER DRIVES THE VEHICLE ALWAYS KEEPS THEIR HAND ON THE SHIFT CONTROL AND SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. WE MAY BE CONTACTED BY PHONE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Steering, Aug 18, 2011
I HAVE 78000 MILES 03 SANTA FE AND HAD LEAKING POWER STEERING LINES THEY RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. *KB