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.
Air bags, Jun 22, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A NEW AIR BAG WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND SCAN TEST AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $900. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,098.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 9, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE CONTACT'S FINGER WAS GASHED BY THE HANDLE. HE FOUND A SPLIT IN THE CHROME PLATING OF THE DOOR HANDLE. THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A PACKET AND CHECK BACK WITHIN 4 - 6 WEEKS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS COVERING UP THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT INSPECTED SIMILAR MODELS WITH THE SAME CONSTRUCTION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE FOUND RECALLS FOR THE 2002 AND 2004 MODELS, BUT NOT FOR THE 2003 MODEL, EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000.
Structure, Apr 28, 2009
THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAVE CHIPPING/PEELING PAINT. (THE CHROME PAINT) OPENING THE DOOR TO GET OUT THE CHROME PAINT IS SHARP LIKE A RAZOR AND CUTS MY FINGERS AND MY CHILD'S FINGERS AS IT IS HAPPENING ON ALL FOUR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IT GETS EMBEDDED INTO YOUR FINGER SOMEWHAT LIKE A SPLINTER BUT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND IS VERY PAINFUL. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment, Mar 21, 2009
I OWN 2003 HYUNDAI SANTE FE ON JUNE 2008 IT STARTED STALLING,HESTITATING ON THE HIGHWAY IT STARTED JERKING AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PULLED TO SIDE IT SHUT OFF WOULD NOT START UNTIL HOURS LATER, TOOK TO DEALER DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED CRANKSHAFT ,BELT TIMING PLUGS, TOTAL COST WAS $1219.84 STATED WAS NOT WARRANTY, I HAD THEM REPAIR , LAST COUPLE MONTHS ,SAME THING AGAIN, BUT I NOTICE THAT THE JERKING AND STALLING HAPPENS AFTER A RAINY/HUMID DAY THE JERKING AND STALLING HAPPEN MORE, WAS TOLD SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AGAIN,STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL CONTACT HYUNDAI AMERICA AND ALSO THE BBB ABOUT THIS, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND TAKEN CARE OF, THE STALLING WHILE DRIVING CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH 2 TIMES IT ALMOST HAPPEN WITH ME. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THIS AGAIN. DOING RESEARCH THIS IS HAPPENING TO LOTS OF 2003 , BUT THIS HAS HAPPEN PRIOR TO 2001 & 2002. I HOPE TO GET SOMETHING RESOLVED. *TR
Power train, Feb 4, 2009
MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2003, 4 CYLINDER, 2.4 LITER ENGINE STALLED 4 TIMES. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE DIAGNOSED WITH CRANK PRECISION SENSOR. NO COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DOING RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THE 2001 AND 2002 WAS RECALLED FOR THIS MATTER. ALSO FOUND OUT THAT MANY 2003'S ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I FIND IT DISTURBING THAT HYUNDAI WONT COVER THIS BECAUSE IT IS AND ELECTRONIC PART BUT THE ENGINE CAN JUST STALL AT ANY MOMENT. BECAUSE IT WAS RECALLED 2YRS PRIOR SHOULD RAISE A RED FLAG. I WILL BE CALLING HYUNDAI CORP. THANK YOU SORAYA GARCIA *TR
Air bags, Jan 16, 2009
THE AIR BAG RED WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN 9/08. THE DEALER SCANNED THE SYSTEM, CLEARED HISTORIC CODES, CYCLED THROUGH SELF TEST SEVERAL TIMES. CODES DID NOT RESET. LIGHT CAME BACK ON IN 1/09. I WILL TAKE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER. MY OPINION IS THAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE MORE RELIABLE . WHEN THE RED LIGHT INITIALLY CAME ON THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM BUT I WILL BE CHARGED APPX. $600 WHEN THEY FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 5, 2009
THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THEN SUDDENLY STALLED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS AROUND 60 MPH, CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS CRACKED AT THE SENSOR END NEAR THE CRANKSHAFT AND TIMING BELT. REPLACING THE PART WAS LABOR INTENSIVE SINCE SEVERAL ENGINE COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REMOVED TO REACH THE SENSOR, THEREFORE THE REPAIR COSTS WERE HIGH. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED AROUND $1,000 TO REPLACE WITH THE PART ONLY COSTING $90. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR REPLACED, THE VEHICLE NOW STARTS. BOTH THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA REFUSED TO COVER REPAIR COSTS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR AND BEFORE I BROUGHT IT ELSEWHERE. BOTH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTINUE TO REFUSE NOW TO REIMBURSE COSTS AFTER I HAD TO GO TO A LESS COSTLY REPAIR FACILITY. MY CASE # WITH HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA IS #3467755. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION LINE AT THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I NOTIFIED THE REPRESENTATIVE AT HYUNDAI THAT THIS SAME PART WAS RECALLED ON THE 2 PRIOR YEARS MODELS OF SANTA FE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 03V520000) AND THAT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WERE MADE TO NHTSA FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2003 CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS. CURRENT NHTSA ODI COMPLAINT #'S THAT ARE NEAR EXACT MATCHES FOR THE 2003 MODEL ARE ODI ID# 10238818, 10176719, 10133625, AND 10115680. SIMILAR ARE #10203556, 10199900, 10195530, 10183323, 10128836, AND 10050501. ALSO SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 03V520000 AND THE EPA RECALL #1791 - MFR# 49. A SIMILAR RECALL WAS DONE IN CANADA, SEE TRANSPORTATION CANADA RECALL #2002008, CAMPAIGN CODE R33. APPARENTLY THE PART CONTINUED TO DEFECTIVE AT THE POINT OF MANUFACTURER IN THE 2003 MODELS AS WELL. HIGH SPEED STALLS AND VIOLENT JERKING POSING RISK OF INJURY AND DEATH. *TR
Seat belts, Nov 7, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT WAS NEVER USED BY ANYONE. WE JUST KEPT IT CLIPPED TO THE ATTACHMENT ON THE SEAT. IT QUIT WORKING ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. RECENTLY, THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS STAYING LATCHED. MY 6 YEAR OLD SON SITS IN THAT SEAT SO I WAS VERY CONCERNED. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY SAID THE WARRANTY RAN OUT ON SEAT BELTS 4 MONTHS AGO SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I DON'T' UNDERSTAND HOW A SAFETY ISSUES SUCH AS A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT IS NOT COVERED. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CENTER SEAT BELT WAS NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR SINCE NO EVER SAT THERE. I AM HAVING THESE TO SEAT BELTS REPLACED AT MY COST. SO FAR THE LEFT REAR SEAT BELT HAS NOT SHOWN ANY SIGNS OF DEFECT. I HAVE AN 8 YR OLD SON THAT SITS THERE. I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD REPLACE THAT TOO. WHAT IS MY GUARANTEE THAT SEAT BELT IS GOING TO WORK IN A COLLISION? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE SEAT BELTS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHERE THE SEAT BELTS JUST QUIT WORKING AFTER 5 YEARS. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE. *TR
Air bags, Nov 6, 2008, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. ON AUGUST 16, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD AT A RED LIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND THE FRONT BUMPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE STRUCK A TRAVEL TRAILER. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, BUT FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT RECEIVED INJURES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND HEAD. THE REAR PASSENGER WAS TRAUMATIZED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DUE TO FAULTY WIRES. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL ONLY DEPLOY UNDER EXTREME EXPERIENCES. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER CRASHING INTO THE TRAILER WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY AT ANY SPEED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. NEVADA POLICE REPORT NUMBER 0808160558 WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 23, 2008
I TOOK MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. I WAS TOLD THAT THEIR IS A RUST HOLE A LITTLE LARGER THAN A GOLF BALL IN THE CRADLE WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BOLTS INTO THE CRADLE. THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD! AND I SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER REPLACING THE CRADLE TO THE TUNE OF 1700 DOLLARS! *TR
Power train, Aug 19, 2008
MY 2003 HYUANDAI SANTE FE STALLS ANYTIME THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR GETS HOT (AT LEAST THIS IS WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER [MR. LABESE] AT JOHN AMATO AUTO - MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN EXPLAINS). I'VE HAD COUNTLESS CLOSE CALL VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STALL OVER AND OVER AGAIN EVEN AFTER THE PART ABOVE WAS REPLACED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND VERY UNSAFE I HAVE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO THIS POINT! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Jul 3, 2008
2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC HOOKED THE VEHICLE UP TO THE SCANNER THAT CAME ACROSS THAT PROBLEM. IT WILL COST ALMOST $400 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. *KB THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FAULT CODE CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING. *JB
Electrical system, Seats, Jun 15, 2008, fire
I OWNED A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND THE HEATED SEAT ELECTRICAL UNIT FAILED TO SHUT OFF AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE (LEATHER SEATS, DASHBOARD, ROOF OF THE CAR, ETC). THE CAR HAD TO BE TOTALED WITH ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT AND HYUNDAI SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I WENT THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND FILED A TOTAL LOSS AND MY $25,000 CAR WAS SETTLED FOR $11,000. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 12, 2008
2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. LEFT FRONT OUTER BRAKE PAD FRICTION MATERIAL FELL OUT AND WAS FOUND ON GROUND. SERVICED FRONT BRAKES AND FOUND 3 OF 4 PADS FRICTION MATERIAL BROKEN AWAY FROM STEEL BACKER. SAME CONDITION FOUND ON REAR PADS. FRONT PADS HAD APPROX 20% FRICTION MATERIAL LEFT AND REAR HAS APPROX 50%. BACKER PLATES HEAVILY RUSTED INDICATING PARTING OF FRICTION MATERIAL OCCURRED SOME TIME AGO. I LUCKED OUT BY NOT HAVING TO STRONGLY APPLY THE BRAKES AFTER THE PAD FELL OUT AND BEFORE I DISCOVERED IT. DROVE APPROX 20 MILES WITH THE PAD MISSING AND STEEL BACKER DID NOT TOUCH THE ROTOR (DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT). I HAVE ALL PARTS IF ANYONE WISHES TO EXAMINE THEM. *TR
Power train, May 27, 2008
LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 11, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR OR WITHIN AN INCH OF THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN HE PUMPED THE PEDAL, IT RESUMED THE PROPER POSITION. THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EXTEND APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES FROM THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. IF HE STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WOULD GO ALL THE WAY DOWN AS WELL. MIDAS STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NO FAILURE AND THAT IT WAS A "HYUNDAI PROBLEM". THE MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE PADS, AND FLUID WERE CITED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Power train, Jan 21, 2008
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS, ACTUALLY LURCHES FORWARD. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A HUGE LIST. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Air bags, Jan 8, 2008
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. SCAN IT NEEDS A NEW CLOCKSPRING(AIR BAG). DEALER WON"T PAY FOR IT. 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS 88,000KM. *TR
Wheels, Dec 13, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE HEARD A LOUD THUD AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO BARS THAT HOLD THE TIRE IN PLACE WERE COMPLETELY MISSING, INCLUDING THE LUG NUTS. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE BOLTS WERE SHEARING OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 13, 2007
I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (V6 2.7L 4 WD). MY ISSUE HAS A LONG HISTORY. ONCE THE BRAKES GET WARMED UP (USUALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC) AND I BEGIN TO COAST THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL SHUDDER AND I HEAR A LOW ROARING OR RUBBING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE NOISE WILL STOP IF I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL - EVEN JUST A LITTLE. THIS GOES FROM A MILD ISSUE TO A BIG PROBLEM - THE VIBRATION AND NOISE WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT I STOPPED AND HAD THE CAR CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIPS ONE TIME IT WAS NOTHING AND ANOTHER TIME, IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE LAST (AND HOPEFULLY LAST) SOLUTION WAS SOME SORT OF LUBRICANT PUT ON THE BRAKES. I HAVE YET TO GO A FULL YEAR WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM RECURRING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND WHILE SOME OF THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COVERED, OTHERS HAVE NOT AND I BELIEVE I HAVE PAID FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE 9 TIMES. NO MORE HYUNDAI'S IN MY FUTURE. HOPEFULLY THIS INFO WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE AND MAYBE SOMEONE AT HYUNDAI READS THESE COMPLAINTS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2007
OUR 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS HAD OVER 25 INSTANCES OF ENGINE STALLING AND POWER LOSS. WE HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION THAT IT WAS BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES AND OVER A 50,000 MILES AND A 2-1/2 YEAR SPAN. EACH TIME IT IS TAKEN IN, THE DEALER CANNOT RESOLVE IT AS THEY STATE THEY REQUIRE AN ERROR CODE OR FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE TO BEGIN TO TROUBLESHOOT. I HAVE CONTACTED HUNDAI AMERICA AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF FAXING OVER ALL DOCUMENTATION AND NHTSA COMPLAINTS THAT MIRROR THE PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING. THIS IS BECOMING AN ENORMOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE HYUNDAI ON THIS ISSUE. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 18, 2007
2003 SANTA FE BRAKES NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER TELLS HIM THAT BRAKE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE BRAKE PADS SEPARATED ALONG THE BONDING BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD SURFACE AND THE STEEL BACKING PLATE. OF THE 4 BRAKE PADS, 3 WERE SLIGHTLY WORN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PADS HAD WORN OUT, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISPUTED THE CLAIM AND STATED IT WAS A FAILED COMPONENT NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR. *JB
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2007
OUR 2003 SANTE FE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. THE TACH DROPS TO ZERO THEN THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AND CONTINUE GOING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BUCKS WHILE DRIVING AT TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT HARD WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE AT TIMES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SENT TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. DEALERSHIP THINKS ITS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT STATES VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A RENTAL CAR AND THE REPAIR BILL. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2006 AND WITHIN 45 DAYS OF THE PURCHASE WE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. SANTE FE HAD 54,000 MILES WHEN THE FIRST PROBLEM STARTED AND NOW HAS 64,000 WHICH THEY STATE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS BECAUSE OF THE SHUTTING OFF AND BUCKING INCIDENT'S. *TR
Suspension, Jul 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.