Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 13 of 44 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
44 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.*MR THE CONSUMER FEELS SHE MAY HAVE MADE THE WRONG CHOICE WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED FALSE HORSEPOWER ADVERTISEMENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER A MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AN ECM REPROGRAMMING RECALL WAS RECEIVED BUT …
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VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.*MR THE CONSUMER FEELS SHE MAY HAVE MADE THE WRONG CHOICE WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED FALSE HORSEPOWER ADVERTISEMENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER A MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AN ECM REPROGRAMMING RECALL WAS RECEIVED BUT ONCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE ANOTHER PROBLEM SURFACED. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED THREE TIMES BUT THE NOISE RECURS NOW LOUDER THAN EVER. THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BACKING. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10087431
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2004
SteeringSuspension
NOISE IN FRONT END SINCE JULY 2002. TOOK CAR TO DEALER APPROX 8 (EIGHT) TIMES SINCE JULY 2002. ON OR ABOUT APRIL 2004 I WAS NOTIFIED - SOR # 29180-ARM & RACK,BUSHING TO BE REPLACED PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AS OF JULY 2004 SITUATION IS WORSE THAN BEFORE. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED STATUS. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10082828
63,000 miles · Jun 21, 2004
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY (STRAIGHT UP AN INCLINE), FRONT LEFT WHEEL AND TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HUB. WHEEL AND TIRE REMAINED INTACT AFTER SEPARATION FROM HUB AND BOUNCED DOWN THE HIGHWAY, INDICATING TIRE PRESSURE WAS MAINTAINED ENOUGH TO BOUNCE HIGH IN THE ROADWAY. UPON INSPECTION, LUG STUD BOLTS WERE MIS…
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WHILE TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY (STRAIGHT UP AN INCLINE), FRONT LEFT WHEEL AND TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HUB. WHEEL AND TIRE REMAINED INTACT AFTER SEPARATION FROM HUB AND BOUNCED DOWN THE HIGHWAY, INDICATING TIRE PRESSURE WAS MAINTAINED ENOUGH TO BOUNCE HIGH IN THE ROADWAY. UPON INSPECTION, LUG STUD BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE HUB. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK IN THE HUB THROUGH ONE OF THE LUG STUD BOLT HOLES. THE POLICE CHECKED THE ROAD FOR ANY HAZARDS WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM, BUT NONE WERE FOUND. DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREMELY SHORT DURATION OF INCONSISTENCY OF VEHICLE HANDLING IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO WHEEL SEPARATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10078575
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Child Seat
PLASTIC ON CHILD SEAT IS BOWING WITH PRESSURE. *MR UPON INSTALLATION OF THE SNUG RIDE BASE WITH ADJUSTABLE FOOT IN FROST OUTRIGHT POSITION, WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO PLACE THE SEAT BELT SNUG, THE ADJUSTABLE FOOT POPPED INTO THE CENTER SLOT. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10076027
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2004
Power Train
EXPERIENCED DELAY AND HARSH SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE SINCE 06 JANUARY 2004. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND PARTS WERE ORDERED. AUTO IS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS SHOP SINCE 02 FEBRUARY 2004. DEALER SAYS THE PART IS ON A "NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10060667
42,000 miles · Feb 24, 2004
Power Train
GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS.CONTACTED DEALERSHIP SERVICE BUT ISSUE IS TAKING LONG TO BE RESOLVE.AFTER CHECKING NHTSA,REALIZED THERE WAS A TSB ON THE ISSUE(SERVICE BULLETIN # 0340002).MANUFACTURER IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT NOT ACTING ON THE ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10058811
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Equipment
THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE FAILED TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 120. *PH THE CONSUMER FEELS HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF HAVING THE CONSUMER AFFIX A NEW LABEL OVER THE ORIGINAL LABEL. *MR *NM
NHTSA ODI #10055486
36,400 miles · Dec 29, 2003
Tires
RECALL NO. #03V520000 CONCERNING TIRE PRESSURE LABEL: THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BALD. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE BALDNESS WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF IMPROPER TIRE PRESSURE. MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WEAR OF THE TIRE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052021
28,400 miles · Nov 24, 2003
Steering
STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047488
2,900 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE DRIVER HAD TO MANUALLY ACCELERATE TO GET THE VEHICLE UP TO SPEED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *PH *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10044679
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Santa Fe Santa Fe Trailer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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