2002 Hyundai Santa FE

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2014· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT INTERMITTENTLY AS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,807.

• 12/27/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* - WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE ENGINE ON A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST THE POWER STEERING AN THE POWER BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS COLD AND THERE WAS LIGHT SNOW ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE ONCE THE REPAIRS ARE DONE ON HIS VEHICLE.

• 12/24/2009· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

  PREMATURE RUSTING OF POWERSTERING 2 (5 YEAR), & TRANSMISSION 2 (6 YEAR ), & BRAKE (7 YEAR), STEEL LINES . AND ABS, TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR RING ON FRONT DRIVE WHEELS SHAFT, RUST & SPLIT, NEEDED TO REPLACE AXLES AS THE ONLY FIX. RIGHT FRONT AXLE TO TRANSMISSION CASE SEAL SLIPS OUT AND LEAKS OIL HAS BEEN REPAIRED 5 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY & STILL NEED TO BE PUT BACK IN A OIL CHANGES (3000MILES) ON 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE . *TR

• 12/20/2010· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINT SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE CROSSED THREE LANES AND CAME TO A STOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE STATED THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE COUNTY IMPOUND LOT. THE TOW COMPANY DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEELS BUT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

• 12/17/2015· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ UPDATED 05/14/18*JB *TR

• 12/14/2014· STEERING,STRUCTURE

  TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE, AND WHEN TECHNICIAN WAS UNDER THE CAR, HE TOOK SOME PICTURES OF THE FRAME IN THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER BY THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HE WAS SHOWING ME THE FRAME WAS RUSTING VERY, VERY BADLY. HE WARNED US THAT IF WE HIT A SMALL POT HOLE/BUMP OR THE CURB AT EVEN 5 MPH THE FRAME COULD BUST AND WE COULD CRASH. THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AND MADE CHUGGING FEELING WHEN TRYING TO TURN, WAS LOOKED AT AND POWER STEERING LOOKED TO BE FINE AND FLUID WAS FULL. AFTER JULY 7TH IT MADE IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE AND NOT SAFE FOR OUR FAMILY. *TR

• 12/14/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR. HE HAD USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56000.

• 12/10/2014· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURE EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 12/08/2011· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY SON TO SCHOOL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STARTED TO REV UP AND AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF IT CONTINUED TO DO SO UNTIL I GOT CLOSE TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE MORE AND I HAD A HARD TIME STOPPING IT I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND WAS PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND I WENT OVER A PARKING BUMPER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF! IT SCARED THE DAY LIGHTS OUT OF ME I COULD HAVE IF NOT KILLED SOMEONE, BUT SEVERELY HURT SOMEONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AND NOT TO MENTION POSSIBLY MY SON....I HAD MY BOSS CHECK IT AND THE CABLE THROTTLE CAME OUT HOW I DO NOT KNOW...I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND I LOOKED UP TO SEE IF OTHERS WHO OWNED THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY DID!! *TR

• 12/03/2012· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, THERE IS PULLING OF THE WHEEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TURN SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT WEAR ON THE FRONT TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY IN ALIGNMENT. THERE IS A SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER HAVING THE TIMING BELT REPLACED, I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THERE WAS A RUST PROBLEM IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE TOWARD THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. HE TOLD ME THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE RUST ON THIS VEHICLE IS MORE LIKE RUST OF A VEHICLE THAT IS 50 YEARS OLD NOT TEN YEARS. HE ALSO SAID THE FRAME COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME TO CONTACT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY VEHICLE. I CALLED HYUNDAI'S 800 NUMBER ONLY TO BE TOLD THE SAME THING. *TR

• 12/01/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATING RANDOMLY, INCREASING THE LENGTH OF A STOP. IT WILL ACTIVATE AT 0MPH (STOPPED) OR ANY SPEED; THE INDICATION IS THE PUMP RUNNING AND A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT BOTH FRONT ABS RELUCTOR (TOOTHED WHEELS) RINGS ARE BROKEN. THE SYSTEM (ABS, TRACS) FAILS COMPLETELY AS INDICATED BY THE DASH MONITOR, AT A SUSTAINED 50MPH OR HIGHER. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME VEHICLES. HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS DUE TO CORROSION, IT CAN TAKE AN LONG TIME TO APPEAR. CONTACTING HYUNDAI, THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED. I CANNOT EVEN FIND OUT HOW TO REPLACE THE RINGS IN THE FACTORY SHOP MANUAL, THOUGH THEY APPEAR TO BE HEAT SHRUNK ON. IF NEEDS BE, I WILL REPAIR THE EXISTING RINGS WITH A SPOT WELDER OR NEW RINGS BUT DO THINK THAT THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI. THANK YOU *TR

• 11/28/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,ENGINE

  TIRE BLOW OUT SERVICE TECH FOUND ROTTED OUT ENGINE CRADLE. *TR

• 11/28/2005· 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.

• 11/24/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 SANTA FE. FRED ZINK WE HAVE 149,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I JUST DISCOVERED A PERFORATION ON THE METAL FUEL FILL SPOUT JUST BELOW WHERE YOU INSERT THE FUEL SPOUT THIS CAUSED FUEL TO SPILL ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND ON TO THE GROUND THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 11/21/2014· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION), THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERBODY, THE FRONT STRUT FRAME AND THE COILS SPRINGS RUSTED WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND PENDING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 11/19/2018· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. FOX ANN ARBOR HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 3975 JACKSON RD, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 663-7770) WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

• 11/19/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LEFT JOINT AXLE ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. THE BOOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AXLE WAS ALSO TORN; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT SINCE THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THAT THE DEALER SHOULD REPAIR IT ACCORDINGLY. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE BOOT REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81000.

• 11/16/2011· STEERING

  I BOUGHT A USED 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 71,500 MILE, SEEMED IN GOOD CONDITION WHEN I PAID FOR IT, DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S MAINTENANCE HISTORY. ABOUT 1000 MILES LATER THIS HISS/RATTLE SOUND CAME FROM THE ENGINE AS I WAS DRIVING IT, I ALSO NOTICED WHEN MAKING TURNS A RUBBING SOUND CAME FROM THE STEERING THAT GOT WORSE AS THE TURNING ANGLES GOT MORE ACUTE, AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE A SMALL LEAK OF REDDISH FLUID I THOUGHT MAY BE TRANSMISSION FLUID (TURNS OUT TO BE POWERING STEERING FLUID). TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE LINE WAS CORRODED/LEAKING. THEY CHARGED ME $250 TO FIX IT. THE FIX CORRECTED ALL THREE OBSERVATIONS... *TR

• 11/12/2004· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED 2 MAJOR RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST FOR THE ECM (V02) AND THE SECOND FOR THE FUEL VALVE (O66). THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. *NM *SC

• 11/10/2020· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS

  MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS SHARPLY JERKING TO THE RIGHT ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP IT SOUNDS AS IF THE CAR IF GOING TO FALL INTO PEICES IM A DISABLED MOM WITH ONE ONE THE WAY I CAN'T DRIVE FOR FEAR IM GOING TO LOSE THE WHEEL AND CRASH

• 11/07/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  MY 2002 2.7 SANTA FE REVED WAY UP SPONTANEOUSLY TONIGHT. I BANGED GAS PEDAL REPEATEDLY WITH FOOT BUT DID NOTHING. AS I APPROACHED STOPLIGHT BRAKES WOULD HARDLY STOP THE CAR; SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, RPMS WENT WAY UP AND I TURNED OFF CAR. CONTINUED MY 1 MILE TRIP HOME AND ENGINE WOULD BY ITSELF REV DOWN ONLY TO IMMEDIATELY REV WAY BACK UP. COULD SMELL MY BRAKES BURNING BY THE TIME I GOT HOME. WHAT EVER IS GOING ON HERE IS VERY DANGEROUS.

• 11/05/2009· SUSPENSION

  MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COME OFF. I UNDERSTAND THIS WAS A RECALL WHICH I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT. BECAUSE OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR. NOT ONLY DID THE CONTROL ARM RUST , WE HAD TO CHANGE TO HUB, BEARING,AND THE AXLE AND HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AT MY EXPENSE. I AM ASKING HYUNDAI TO PAY FOR THE LABOR AND PARTS TO REPAIR MY CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING SINCE THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR POSSIBLY A FATALITY. I NOW HAVE TO BRING THE AUTO TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PARTS AND CAR INSPECTED AND THEN WAIT 6 TO 8 WEEKS FOR THEM TO DECIDE ON HOW I WILL BE REIMBURSED. FAILURE TO NOTIFY ME ASWELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THIS REDTAPE ON SOMETHING THEY ARE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE FOR. *TR

• 11/05/2004· SUSPENSION

  FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON RIGHT TIRE WERE BAD, PARTS WERE LOOSE AND NOT STATIONARY. *BF THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRE WERE BALD ON THE INSIDE DUE TO THE WAY THE ALIGNMENT HAD CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. *SC

• 11/04/2004· SUSPENSION

  WENT TO HAVE BRAKES REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RIGHT, FRONT BALL JOINT AND ARM WERE LOOSE. CONSEQUENTLY, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CAR WAS UNBALANCED THE TREADS ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES WERE BALD - SO OI HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ALSO. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND ONE GOOD POTHOLE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE BALL JOINT AND ARM TO BREAK OFF. THE MOST DISTURBING THING ABOUT THIS WAS THAT I DETECTED NO CHANGE IN THE HANDLING OF THE CAR. NO NEW NOISES. NO INDICATION AT ALL THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.*AK

• 10/30/2015· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE STRAIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

• 10/25/2005· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 10/24/2008· SUSPENSION

  WE FOUND THAT BOTH REAR TRAILING ARMS WE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. WE HAD TO GET THEM BOTH REPLACED BY THE DEALER FOR $650 A PIECE. THE OLD PARTS WERE DISCARDED BY THE HYUNDAI DEALER. THE DEALER THINKS THIS IS NORMAL WARE AND TARE ON AN 2002 VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS ARE A MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENT. FIFTY PERCENT OF THE VEHICLE WEIGHT RESIDES ON THESE COMPONENTS. HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE BUILD THEM WITH HIGHEST QUALITY IN MIND. MY OPINION THE REAR TRAILING ARMS SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THEN THE FENDER ON THE CAR. THEIR WAS NO EVENT LEADING UP TO THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM. ONE DAY THE CAR FELT LIKE THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO HANDLE ON THE ROAD. WE THEN ARRANGED FOR THE CAR TO GET A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T DO A ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THEIR IS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TRAILING ARMS. THEY ALSO INFORMED US THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE AND TO BRING IT TO A DEALER TO GET FIXED. I FEEL THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT!!! *TR

• 10/23/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI (MODEL UNKNOWN). THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT, THE CONTACT STRUCK THE LEFT SIDE OF HER FOREHEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE URGENT CARE CENTER FOR EXAMINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ROAD WAS SLIGHTLY DAMP AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 01/02/08. *4200 UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

• 10/17/2012· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CENTER AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER. AN INSPECTION FOUND THAT WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT ON THE FRONT BOLT. ORDERED A NEW SUB FRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO REMEDY THE CONDTION. *TR

• 10/15/2021· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  While dragging the trash can back to the house, I was approaching fence in front of the house, at a slow speed, as I applied the brakes the car started to accelerate. Pressing down harder on the brakes ,it felt like stepping on a brick, with no braking taking place the car accelerated at a high rate. At this time the car crashed into the left side of the garage and continued into the cement porch taking out the fence, fill tube, and vent tube of the oil tank. At this time I push gear shift into N and turned off the engine. At this time there is damage done to house and car is now totaled with no injuries. Hate to think what would have happened if this happened at the major 4 lane intersection 1 mile from my home.

• 10/15/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE HEARD A THUMP AND MOMENTS LATER THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70000. UPDATED 11/06/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. SHE STATED SHE HAD NO BRAKES AND WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. UPDATED 11/09/09

• 10/12/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE ABS ACTIVATES ON DRY GROUND AND FEELS LIKE YOU MIGHT NOT STOP. CAR HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN WITH A COMPUTER ATTACHED TO MAIN COMPUTER AND ALL WHEEL SENSORS ARE WORKING. AT THIS TIME NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I THINK ONE DAY THE BRAKES WILL FAIL.

• 10/12/2018· STRUCTURE

  RIGHT SIDE MAIN FRAME RUSTED THREW. CAN NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. CAR FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES THE CAR IS TOTALED AND NOT COVERED BY CAR INSURANCE !!!

• 10/07/2008· POWER TRAIN

  I BOUGHT A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, STANDARD 5-SPEED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH TWICE. NOW I AM REPLACING IT AGAIN AS IT WAS DAMAGED BY THE FLY WHEEL. A NEW FLY WHEEL COSTS $1500.00. I HAVE MADE EXTENSIVE EFFORTS TO FIND A USED ONE. MOST OF THE SALVAGE YARDS TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ONE BECAUSE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM AND EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR ONE. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME MOST FLY WHEELS ARE MOUNTED TO THE ENGINE AND DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ALSO MOST FLY WHEELS COST UNDER $100.00, SO MOST WARRANTIES DO NOT COVER THE FLY WHEEL. IT SEEMS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS SINCE IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. *TR

• 10/06/2014· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 27 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT PRIVATE MECHANICS. BOTH MECHANICS OFFERED DIFFERENT OPINIONS OF WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FRONT BRAKES OR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRINGS COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) BECAUSE THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE THE SECOND RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 11/12/14 *BF

• 10/03/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

• 09/30/2011· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE REAR BUMPER REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE REAR TRAILING ARM DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V123000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126,000.

• 09/29/2014· STEERING

  POWER STEERING BECAME HARDER (WITH A SHIMMY FEEL IN STEERING WHEEL), AND NOTICED A LOUD WHINING SOUND WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED. STOPPED CAR, AND CHECKED P/S FLUID LEVEL, AND IT WAS LOWER THAN NORMAL (CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS). THIS MORNING (9/29/14), NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL ON DRIVEWAY BELOW CAR. AGAIN CHECKED P/S FLUID LEVEL, AND IT WAS WELL BELOW THE MIN. MARK. WENT TO STORE AND BOUGHT P/S OIL, AND FILLED UP THE RESERVOIR. RETURNED HOME AND SAW P/S FLUID DRIPPING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY, REFILLED THE RESERVOIR, AND WENT TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALER INSPECTION REVEALED RUSTED METAL LINES LEADING TO AND FROM THE P/S COOLER (BELOW RADIATOR), AND QUOTED $540 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE METAL LINES AND COOLER (& 2 DAYS LEAD TIME TO GET PARTS). THERE IS NO RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS CORROSION ISSUE. LATER WENT TO THE LOCAL AAA REPAIR CENTER, AND THEY CONFIRMED THE HYUNDAI DEALER'S FINDINGS. BOTH INDICATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR IF THEY HAD BEEN DRIVEN IN THE NORTHERN STATES (THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN NORTHERN OHIO, & GARAGED THERE FOR 8 YEARS). THIS IS A SAFE DRIVING ISSUE IF THE P/S PUMP FAILS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT P/S OIL FOR COOLING & LUBRICATION DUE TO FLUID LOSS FROM CORRODED METAL LINES. *TR

• 09/29/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED, SHUT OFF AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 03V030000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY), HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350.00 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

• 09/29/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  STARTED MY CAR, IT DIDNT FEEL RIGHT, PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED TO DRIVE WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO STALL BUT DIDNT AND BETWEEN 1 ST AND 2 ND GEAR THE CAR WAS JERKING. I PULLED OVER SHUT CAR OFF AND TRY IT AGAIN, SAME THING. I DROVE FOR A FEW BLOCKS SEEM TO DRIVE BETTER AFTER 2ND GEAR. SO I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 SANTA FE REGARDING THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WHICH WOULD CAUSE A ENGINE STALL AND THE SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MY 2002 SANTA FE DID NOT MAKE THE RECALL LIST. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ? BUT THEY WILL FIX IT IF I PAY FOR IT. *TR

• 09/27/2018· STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD AIR TO THE FOUR TIRES AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

• 09/26/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 09/25/2020· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF HIS REAR BRAKES, HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE REAR TRAILING ARMS LOCATED BY THE COIL SPRINGS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

• 09/25/2014· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  WHEN EVER THE UNDER ENGINE GETS WET THE CAR TURNS OFF AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS COME ON. WHEN IT STOPS I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL AND IT LOCKS UP. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN THE RAIN AND THE CAR STARTED JOLTING THAT THE CAR WAS OFF THEN ON THEN OFF THEN ON AGAIN. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR IN THE TORRENTIAL RAIN GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR. WHENEVER IT RAINS OR IF I GO THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE AUTO DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, I WAS TOLD THAT NORMALLY THERE IS AN ENGINE UNDERCOVER BUT THERE IS NOT ONE ON MY CAR NOR WAS THERE EVER ONE PUT ON BY THE MANUFACTURER. HAVING NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL OUT WHENEVER WATER IS SPLASHED UP ONTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSES THE BELT TO AJAR AND THAT STOPS ELECTRICAL FROM FLOWING TO THE CAR AND THEREFORE IT STALLS OUT AT VERY DANGEROUS TIMES; LIKE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. NO ENGINE UNDERCOVER IS AVAILABLE AND THEREFORE THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED. WHAT DO I DO ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR?? *TR

• 09/25/2014· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARMS FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE TRAILING ARM, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,736.

• 09/23/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK IT TAKES 15 MINS TO FILL IT KEEPS COMING OUT THE FILLER TUBE ALL OVER THE CAR I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

• 09/22/2010· SUSPENSION

  2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A RECALL ISSUE *TGW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. SHE PLACED A CALL TO THREE DEALERSHIPS TO TRY AND GET THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR THE RECALL. ALL THREE DEALERSHIPS COULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE WITHIN A WEEKS TIME FRAME. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL MAY OR JUNE DUE TO THE BACK-UP OF REPAIRS DUE TO THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD BE IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD HYUNDAI WAS NOT PROVIDING LOANER VEHICLES. THE CONSUMER ALSO LEARNED THE RECALL HAD BEEN EFFECT SINCE JULY 2009 AND SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHY WAS SHE JUST BEING INFORMED. SHE WAS INFORMED THE NOTICES WERE SENT OUT IN WAVES. *JB

• 09/18/2012· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  TOOK MY CAR FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND TIRES. FRAME WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS BOLT UP HAS SERIOUS RUST ISSUES. I SEE IN SOME NOTES THAT THE RUST AND CORROSION HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE HYUNDAI'S. IS THERE ANY WAY I AM ELIGIBLE TO GET THIS REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI OR AT LEAST AT SOME DISCOUNTED RATE? *TR

• 09/16/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CAR TURNED LEFT ONTO 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT N. HIGHLAND AVE. ATLANTA, CAR IMMEDIATELY LURCHED INTO WOT (WIDE OPEN THROTTLE) EXECUTING AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET, ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND FINALLY KNOCKING IT OUT OF GEAR, THE CAR STOPPED 10 FEET IN FRONT OF AN OUTSIDE PATIO OF BEER DRINKERS SITTING AT TABLES AT A LOCAL BAR. NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT, IT WAS BY PURE LUCK AND FAST REACTION BY MY SON WHO IS DEATHLY AFRAID OF THIS CAR NOW. I PERSONALLY REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER TO FIND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD SEPARATED WHERE IT IS STAKED INTO IT'S MOUNTING HARDWARE. THE STAKED END SHEATH OF THE CABLE IS PULLED OUT OF IT'S STAKED HOUSING TUBE AND IN SOME CASES MAY GO BACK INTO IT CAUSING THE PROBLEM TO BE INTERMITTENT AND UNREPEATABLE ON REQUEST, HOWEVER, OUR CABLE END WAS UNABLE TO REENTER IT'S POSITION RESULTING IN THE THROTTLE REMAINING OPEN. THE CABLE IS TOO SHORT BY DESIGN LEAVING IT TO BE ON A CONSTANT PULL UNTIL IT OVERCOMES THE STAKING AND SLIPS OUT. JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI HAS NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE THIS DATE. NEVER, SAID THEIR PARTS DEPT., AND SERVICE MANAGER. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL HYUNDAI CORP, OR, THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO QUOTE ME A COST TO REPAIR. LIKE HYUNDAI CORP. THEY WENT INTO IMMEDIATE REAR END COVERAGE MODE. *TR

• 09/11/2010· SUSPENSION

  I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL NOTICE BASED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V123000 WHICH ADDRESSED A PROBLEM WITH CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS IN VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE SALT BELT STATES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALER SERVICE CENTER ON 1/18/10 WHERE THEY SUPPOSEDLY INSPECTED IT AND PERFORMED THE NECESSARY "CORRECTIVE" PROCEDURES ON THE REAR SUSPENSION (ACCORDING TO THE DEALER INVOICE, THEY INSPECTED AND APPLIED WAX TO THE TRAILING ARMS). ON 9/6/10, ONE OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS ON THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED DUE TO EXTREME RUST AND CORROSION. GIVEN THAT ONLY 8 MONTHS HAS PASSED, IT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE CONDITION OF THE TRAILING ARMS ON 1/18/10 WOULD HAVE WARRANTED A FULL REPLACEMENT INSTEAD OF A WAX APPLICATION. AS A RESULT OF THE TRAILING ARM COLLAPSE, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BECAME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE TO THE POINT OF NEARLY FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOTIVE ESTABLISHMENT WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY CONFIRMED BY THE SAME DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE INITIAL "CORRECTIVE" PROCEDURE. THE DEALER DID RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AND PROMPTLY REPLACE BOTH REAR TRAILING ARMS. IN THIS INSTANCE, FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE VEHICLE SO THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGES TO OTHER PEOPLE OR PROPERTY, BUT THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD HAD THERE BEEN A RESULTANT ACCIDENT. I WANTED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT TO WARN OTHER OWNERS OF OTHER RECALLED HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES THAT HYUNDAI'S PRESCRIBED "CORRECTIVE" PROCEDURE FOR THE RECALL IS NOT SUFFICIENT!!! I ALSO OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOR WHICH THE SAME TYPE OF RECALL WAS ISSUED. I HAD THE SAME PROCEDURE PERFORMED ON THAT VEHICLE, AND I DON'T TRUST THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. *TR