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2002 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

128 reports with mileage · 37 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

165 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2010
Suspension

2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER EXPRESS DISCONTENT REGARDING RECALL REPAIR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE IS STILL WAITING FOR THE REPAIR TO BE MADE TO HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE TWO APPOINTMENTS, AND BOTH TIMES SHE WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10342270

120,000 miles · Jul 12, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE AND THE PASSENGERS, INCLUDING A CHILD, WOULD DEVELOP HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE; YET, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A LEAK OR DETERMINE WHERE THE GAS WAS EMITTING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE AND THE PASSENGERS, INCLUDING A CHILD, WOULD DEVELOP HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING SHORT DISTANCES. THE VEHICLE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE; YET, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A LEAK OR DETERMINE WHERE THE GAS WAS EMITTING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE TOXICITY OF THE GAS AND ITS AFFECTS ON HER AND THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10342639

77,800 miles · Jun 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2002 HYUNDAI 2002 SANTE FE HAS A 2-PART CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HYUNDAI HAS A WARRANTY--REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, I UNDERSTAND--THAT COVERS THIS FOR 8 YEARS, 80,000 MILES. MY CAR IS WITHIN THAT CRITERIA. THE SECOND CONVERTER BROKE OFF, AND NEITHER NOW WORK. HYUNDAI AND ITS DEALER, MARHOFER HYUNDAI OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO, REFUS…

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MY 2002 HYUNDAI 2002 SANTE FE HAS A 2-PART CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HYUNDAI HAS A WARRANTY--REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, I UNDERSTAND--THAT COVERS THIS FOR 8 YEARS, 80,000 MILES. MY CAR IS WITHIN THAT CRITERIA. THE SECOND CONVERTER BROKE OFF, AND NEITHER NOW WORK. HYUNDAI AND ITS DEALER, MARHOFER HYUNDAI OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO, REFUSE TO HONOR THE WARRANTY, BECAUSE THE MAIN CONVERTER WOULD WORK IF THE SECOND, AND AN ENTIRELY NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM, WERE INSTALLED. THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE, SOUNDING LIKE A TRUCK AND SPEWING EXHAUST. ANOTHER SHOP IS REPLACING THIS, AND THE OWNER TOLD ME HIS VENDOR HAS JUST SOLD FIVE OF THESE CONVERTERS/EXHAUST SYSTEMS. THE SHOP JUST PUT ONE IN ON A HYUNDAI SANTE FE, AND MINE WILL MAKE SEVEN IN A SMALL CITY (AKRON) IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. YET HYUNDAI WILL DO NOTHING, AND MARHOFER WANTS $2,000 FOR THE WORK. THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE EXHAUST FROM THE BROKEN CONVERTER COULD ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339866

60,250 miles · Jun 19, 2010
Electrical System

ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DURING LOW SPEED, AT IDLING OR AT A CONSTANT SPEED AS A RESULT WITH FULL LOSS OF POWER, BRAKING, AND STEERING. CAR DID START BACK UP FINE, BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY EXHIBIT SAME BEHAVIOR AGAIN ALONG WITH ERRATIC RPM SURGES. MY LOCAL MECHANIC ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO A BAD CRANK SHA…

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ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DURING LOW SPEED, AT IDLING OR AT A CONSTANT SPEED AS A RESULT WITH FULL LOSS OF POWER, BRAKING, AND STEERING. CAR DID START BACK UP FINE, BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY EXHIBIT SAME BEHAVIOR AGAIN ALONG WITH ERRATIC RPM SURGES. MY LOCAL MECHANIC ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO A BAD CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR CPS. HE ADVISED I CONTACT THE DEALER SINCE THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS EXACT PART AND SAME ISSUE REGARDING 2.7 V6 ENGINE RECALL #03V030000 I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO DISCUSS AND PROVIDED MY VIN NUMBER, HOWEVER THEY INDICATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE CPS SENSOR AS PER RECALL, AND CONFIRMED THE DAMAGED CPS SENSOR WAS THE ORIGINAL PART, AND THE ISSUE WAS ULTIMATELY RESOLVED. THIS OPEN RECALL 03V030000 AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 VEHICLES, I BELIEVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS MUCH LARGER AND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS EXIST WHERE CONSUMERS ARE BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THERE VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF RECALL 03V030000, YET EXHIBITING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE DEFECTIVE CPS AND ULTIMATELY PAYING FOR THIS PART THEMSELVES. THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339151

132,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TACHOMETER READ ZERO AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED AND THEN RESTARTED ITSELF. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND OFTEN TIMES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE TACHOMETER READ ZERO AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED AND THEN RESTARTED ITSELF. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND OFTEN TIMES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #10336159

78,000 miles · Jun 7, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED DUE TO RUSTED FLUID LINES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335067

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2010
Suspension

2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE RECALL *GR IN LATE FEBRUARY, PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE, THE SUB FRAME FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE SUB FRAME REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BALL JOINT WAS BEING REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10328511

150,000 miles · Apr 15, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO CORROSION ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM. THE CONTACT VERI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO CORROSION ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ARM. THE CONTACT VERIFIED THAT SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V123000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) AND WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10325887

92,000 miles · Apr 12, 2010
Electrical SystemSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE FIRST FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE DATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FAILURES WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE FILLER IN T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE FIRST FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE DATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FAILURES WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE FILLER IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10325146

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2010
Suspension

2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS THOUGHTS THAT RECALLS WERE NOT HANDLED PROPERLY AND THAT FURTHER ACTION IS NECESSARY. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10319780

Official recalls

4

14V435000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

09V123000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

03V520000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy: 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.

03V030000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly

Jan 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA08023 · Rear Trailing Arm Corrosion Failure

Opened Oct 28, 2008 · Closed Apr 17, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO JANUARY 27, 2003, THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING 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.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT REAR TRAILING ARMS MAY RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE AFFECTED ARM WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED TRAILING ARMS.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING REAR TRAILING ARMS.ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT COMPONENTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION, HYUNDAI NOTED IT WOULD PERFORM A SIMILAR PROCEDURE FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAMES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 99% OF ALL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO TRAILING ARM CORROSION WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 92% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 30 REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURE INCIDENTS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.TWENTY-NINE (29) OF THE FRACTURE INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO JANUARY 27, 2003, THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING 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.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT REAR TRAILING ARMS MAY RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE AFFECTED ARM WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED TRAILING ARMS.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING REAR TRAILING ARMS.ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT COMPONENTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION, HYUNDAI NOTED IT WOULD PERFORM A SIMILAR PROCEDURE FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAMES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 99% OF ALL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO TRAILING ARM CORROSION WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 92% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 30 REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURE INCIDENTS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.TWENTY-NINE (29) OF THE FRACTURE INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Suspension:rear

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 14, 2009, HYUNDAI-KIA AMERICA TECHNICAL CENTER, INC (HYUNDAI) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 THROUGH 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO JANUARY 27, 2003, THAT ARE REGISTERED AND OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING 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.HYUNDAI IS RECALLING THE VEHICLES TO REMEDY A CONDITION WHERE INTERNAL CORROSION OF EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT REAR TRAILING ARMS MAY RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE AFFECTED ARM WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED TRAILING ARMS.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING REAR TRAILING ARMS.ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT COMPONENTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION, HYUNDAI NOTED IT WOULD PERFORM A SIMILAR PROCEDURE FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAMES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 99% OF ALL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO TRAILING ARM CORROSION WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 92% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 30 REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURE INCIDENTS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.TWENTY-NINE (29) OF THE FRACTURE INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.