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

32,000 miles · Aug 31, 2006

Exterior Lighting

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY CLOUDY MAKING VISIBILITY VERY LIMITED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD BUFF THE INSIDE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS, AT COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167140

24 miles · Jul 30, 2006

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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PURCHASED "NEW" IT TOOK OVER SIX HOURS TO DELIVER THE VEHICLE ON SITE. 1.)THE "SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED RETURNED TO JIM ELLIS; "NO CORRECTION" TO DATE. 2.)SEVERAL OTHER DEFECTS EXISTED: BATTERY FAILED LEAVING ME STRANDED AT LEAST TWICE, BRAKES WARE QUICKLY AND REPEATEDLY REQUIRE REPAIRS, HEATED SEATS ON AT "ALL" TIMES, THE TEMPERATURE REMAINS ON "CELSIUS" RATHER THAN ON THAN "FEREINHEIGHT" TEMPERATURES, CLOCK WON'T SET TO CURRENT MONTH,DATE, YEAR. 3.)THE 10 YEAR;100 MILE WARRANTY IS DISREGARDED/MINIMIZED; FROM 24,000 MILES. 4.) WHILE IN FOR DEFECT REVIEW; THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED TO ME FROM 2 DEALERSHIPS WITH "DINGS" UP AND DOWN THE SIDE; DENTS ON CORNERS(PHYSICAL DAMAGE). IN ADDITION REPAIRS WEREN'T MADE AND MANAGERS LOOKED THE "OTHER WAY" AND FAILED TO RETURN CALLS OR RESPOND TO LETTERS. ALSO THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT BECAME A NEW ISSUE AND DEFECT INITIATED THE EVENING THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED HOME. WAS TOLD TO ANTICIPATE ENGINE TROUBLE TO BE INITIATED IN THE NEAR FUTURE DESPITE THE OIL CHANGE DATE BEING WITHIN LIMITS. WAS TOLD THAT EXCESSIVE OIL EXISTED AND BLAMED ME. THEN DEMANDED I PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS "BEFORE" THEY'D RELEASE CAR TO ME.(NEEDED FOR WORK). MGRS WERE DEFENSIVE AND SHUT DOWN REGARDING INFORMATION. 5.)THE "RECALLS" AREN'T RECOGNIZED OR CORRECTED ON 1ST,2ND, OR 3RD REQUEST-I'M TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY DON'T HAVE THE COMPUTER TO DO IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163892

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2006

Seat Belts

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MY DAUGHTER CALLED OUT "HELP, MOMMY! I'M STUCK!" I LOOKED IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR TO FIND THE SHOULDER-BELT OF MY VEHICLE WAS WRAPPED AROUND HER NECK. I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF HER HEAD SO I ASKED HER TO DUCK HER HEAD OUT. SHE SAID "I CAN'T, I'M STUCK!" I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT TO HER, HER FACE WAS GETTING RED. I DUCKED HER HEAD UNDER THE BELT. TO MY HORROR, THE BELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND HER NECK AGAIN. THANKFULLY SHE COULD CALL TO ME. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. THE LOCKING MECHANISMS ON THE SHOULDER-BELTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE WHEN YOU FULLY RETRACT THE BELT TO INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT ARE BROKEN. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THREE DEFECTIVE MECHANISMS SO FAR. WHEN I FIRST INSTALLED THE SEAT, THE MECHANISM WORKED. AFTER NEEDING TO REMOVE THE SEAT AT ONE POINT AND DISENGAGING THE MECHANISM, IT QUIT WORKING. IT NEVER LOCKED AGAIN. SO, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, AS MY VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IN THE MEANTIME, I MOVED HER SEAT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SAME PROBLEM. THE LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE BELT WORKED, UNTIL I HAD TO DISENGAGE IT. THEN THAT SIDE BROKE. MY VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, SO I MOVED THE SEAT TO THE REPAIRED SIDE. AFTER A WHILE, I NEEDED TO MOVE HER SEAT AND DISENGAGE THE LOCKING MECHANISM. IT QUIT WORKING! I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THE PART WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT LABOR WASN'T. I DIDN'T HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD IT AT THE TIME. IN ORDER TO KEEP MY SEATS INSTALLED CORRECTLY, I BEGAN USING THE LOCKING CLIPS THAT CAME WITH THE SEATS. (NOW I HAVE TWO CHILDREN.) THIS HANDLES THE SEATS BEING INSTALLED SAFELY, BUT IT DOESN'T DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT THE BELTS OF MY VEHICLE CAN MOVE FREELY BECAUSE THE LOCKING MECHANISMS ARE BROKEN. BECAUSE OF THIS MY INQUISITIVE TWO-YEAR OLD WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PULL ON THE BELT AND WRAP IT AROUND HER NECK NEARLY TWO COMPLETE TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161861

900 miles · Apr 3, 2006

Equipment

AM RADIO ANTENNAE LOCATED IN REAR WINDOW DOES NOT WORK AND DEALER, AFTER REPLACING THE RADIO AND 2 SUBSEQUENT SERVICE INSPECTIONS SAID THAT WAS JUST THE WAY IT IS - IT JUST WILL NOT WORK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10154397

53,700 miles · Nov 28, 2005

SuspensionCrash

LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT STILL OK. FAILURE CAUSED LACK OF ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAID IT IS VERY RARE TO SEE SUCH WEAR ON ONE SIDE AND NOT THE OTHER. CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED DUE TO RESULTING ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10143815

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2005

Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringInjury

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE HARMONIC BALANCE FELL OFF. SHE HEARD A LOUD CLUNG, AND THEN LOOKED INTO REARVIEW MIRROR. AT THAT TIME SHE SAW IT ROLLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SHE THEN PULLED OVER AND HER DAUGHTER TRIED TO PICK IT UP. THE PART WAS HOT, AND SHE BURNED HER FINGERS. THE PART WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE AND TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF WHY OR HOW THIS OCCURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10140753

61,000 miles · Sep 26, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

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DT: 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE - VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED AND UNDER ANY CONDITION. AS A RESULT VEHICLE LOST POWER. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART BACK UP, AND AT TIMES THE CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE SIX CYLINDER ENGINES OF THE HYUNDAI SANTA FEE. BUT THIS VEHICLE, NOT A FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ASKED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10137667

52,420 miles · Jul 6, 2005

Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING CAR WITH AC ON THE BATTER DIES BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH CAR THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES NOW NO ONE WILL ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #10127658

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2005

Air BagsCrashInjury

4/6/06 I HAD AN AUTO ACCIDENT GOING 75 MPH IN A 70 ZONE. FULL IMPACT OF MY FRONT END TO THE OPPOSING PARTIES VEHICLE (SUV). I DID A 360 AND FLIPPED AND LANDED ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. NEITHER DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE. I SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES - CURRENTLY IN TREATMENT. MY VEHICLE…

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NHTSA ODI #10121875

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2005

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH MY 2002 SANTA FE. THE FIRST BEING 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. I HEARD A CONSTANT GRINDING NOISE AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE SUSPSENION NOT RESPONDING SMOOTHLY. WHEN THE DEALER CHECKED THE PROBLEM, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. SINCE THIS TIME, I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED FREQUENTLY, (SINCE I PERCEIVE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH GRINDING AND PROBLEMS STOPPING...THE CAR DOESN'T STOP WELL)...AND I'M OFTEN AFRAID IT WON'T STOP. THIS SUMMER AFTER HAVING THE BRAKES CHECKED, WHILE PARALLEL PARKING, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED RESULTING IN MY VEHICLE HITTING ANOTHER PARKED CAR. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF...NOT YET BEING IN THE SPOT COMPLETELY. MY REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED EVERY 6 - 8 MONTHS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE BRAKES FOR THE SANTA FE'S ARE CONFIGURED LIKE SMALL CAR BRAKES AND ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THIS SIZE VEHICLE THUS REQUIRING THEM TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. ANOTHER, SEPARATE INCIDENT OCCURED APPROX 6 MONTHS AGO, AGAIN WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP (HEARD A CLICKING/GRINDING NOISE). HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL JOINTS (I THINK IT WAS ALSO THE BALL JOINTS) AND FRONT AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THE CRACK IN THE AXLE, BUT WAS NOT USER CAUSED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114122

Official recalls

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

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

Suspension:rear