HYUNDAI SANTA FE · model year

2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

293 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001HYUNDAISANTA FE carries 293 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 SANTA FE is suspension with 38 filings, followed by suspension:rear (29) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 6 investigation files overlapping the 2001 SANTA FE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

293
Complaints
7
Crashes
5
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

293 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION38
SUSPENSION:REAR29
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
STEERING10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
ENGINE7
STRUCTURE:BODY6
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS6

Recalls (4)

03V52000018/12/2003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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."

14V43500018/07/2014

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

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

09V12300016/04/2009

SUSPENSION:REAR

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,

03V03000002/01/2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

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 PRINT

Recent Complaints

20230326SUSPENSION

I live in Roy city utah and i drive a santa fe 2001 and my trailing arm in the rear driver side snaped while i was going 45 mph. when i took it in to a shop to have it looked at they said that my trailing arm had snaped do to the rust corrision under the car. I know that there are recalls on the santa fe for the rear suspention trailing arms but only if you live in a salt belt state and utah is not one of those states and i think it should be because of the salt we use on our roads as well as i live 20 mins from the great salt lake . i have bearly had my car 5 months befor it broke i paid 2000.00$ for it. i guess i didnt fully understand the saltbelt state thing and i called young hayndai in ogden utah and they called a tow truck and had my car towed to the dealer ship they had it like 12 days or something befor they diganosed it. when they said that its not on recal because of the salt belt state thing they are trying to charg me 274.00$ just for them to tell me what i already knew

20230326STEERING

I live in Roy city utah and i drive a santa fe 2001 and my trailing arm in the rear driver side snaped while i was going 45 mph. when i took it in to a shop to have it looked at they said that my trailing arm had snaped do to the rust corrision under the car. I know that there are recalls on the santa fe for the rear suspention trailing arms but only if you live in a salt belt state and utah is not one of those states and i think it should be because of the salt we use on our roads as well as i live 20 mins from the great salt lake . i have bearly had my car 5 months befor it broke i paid 2000.00$ for it. i guess i didnt fully understand the saltbelt state thing and i called young hayndai in ogden utah and they called a tow truck and had my car towed to the dealer ship they had it like 12 days or something befor they diganosed it. when they said that its not on recal because of the salt belt state thing they are trying to charg me 274.00$ just for them to tell me what i already knew

20230326WHEELS

I live in Roy city utah and i drive a santa fe 2001 and my trailing arm in the rear driver side snaped while i was going 45 mph. when i took it in to a shop to have it looked at they said that my trailing arm had snaped do to the rust corrision under the car. I know that there are recalls on the santa fe for the rear suspention trailing arms but only if you live in a salt belt state and utah is not one of those states and i think it should be because of the salt we use on our roads as well as i live 20 mins from the great salt lake . i have bearly had my car 5 months befor it broke i paid 2000.00$ for it. i guess i didnt fully understand the saltbelt state thing and i called young hayndai in ogden utah and they called a tow truck and had my car towed to the dealer ship they had it like 12 days or something befor they diganosed it. when they said that its not on recal because of the salt belt state thing they are trying to charg me 274.00$ just for them to tell me what i already knew

20230110STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to Marco’s body shop where it was diagnosed that both struts, new tires, front passenger side wheel cylinder, wheel mount, tie rod, and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic noticed that the driver’s side cross member had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer at a different location. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20230110SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to Marco’s body shop where it was diagnosed that both struts, new tires, front passenger side wheel cylinder, wheel mount, tie rod, and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic noticed that the driver’s side cross member had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer at a different location. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20230110STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to Marco’s body shop where it was diagnosed that both struts, new tires, front passenger side wheel cylinder, wheel mount, tie rod, and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic noticed that the driver’s side cross member had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer at a different location. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20220717ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The suv stalls while driving. This has happened multiple time. While driving, driving slow, taking a u turn. The battery, alternator, starter, power steering pump, water pump, rack and pinion, timing belt, serpentine belt, idler pulley, harmonic balancer, front axles, shocks, struts, some sensors, spark plugs/wires, gaskets, and many other parts are replaced in the last year. Don't know what is wrong but it is scary when it stalls suddenly.

20220717ENGINE

The suv stalls while driving. This has happened multiple time. While driving, driving slow, taking a u turn. The battery, alternator, starter, power steering pump, water pump, rack and pinion, timing belt, serpentine belt, idler pulley, harmonic balancer, front axles, shocks, struts, some sensors, spark plugs/wires, gaskets, and many other parts are replaced in the last year. Don't know what is wrong but it is scary when it stalls suddenly.

20220717FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The suv stalls while driving. This has happened multiple time. While driving, driving slow, taking a u turn. The battery, alternator, starter, power steering pump, water pump, rack and pinion, timing belt, serpentine belt, idler pulley, harmonic balancer, front axles, shocks, struts, some sensors, spark plugs/wires, gaskets, and many other parts are replaced in the last year. Don't know what is wrong but it is scary when it stalls suddenly.

20211110CrashSUSPENSION

The rear trailing arm cracked in half causing my wife to run off the road11

20210824SUSPENSION

The contact's friend owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while a friend was driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle began to veer off to the right without warning and the driver began losing control of the vehicle. Despite the failure, the contact's friend was able to drive the vehicle to her home at slow speeds. Another friend was able to inspect the vehicle and discovered that the rear passenger’s side trailing arm had fractured due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V123000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and he was informed that his vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20210110SUSPENSION

MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING TO 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE LEFT TO RIGHT RAPIDLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHE COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS ALMOST TOUCHING THE INSIDE OF THE REAR FENDER. SHE WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT ABOUT A MILE HOME TO DRIVEWAY. SHE CONTACTED HYUNDAI & THEY TOLD HER TO TOW IT TO CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP & REAP SUSPENSION PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED UNDER RECALL. AFTER WE PAID TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM WAS CORRODED AND ALMOST BROKEN & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN CALLED MY WIFE THE NEXT DAY TO INFORM HER THAT HER SANTA FE REAR TRAILING ARMS HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED BY HYUNDAI. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED HYUNDAI TO SPEAK WITH PERSON THAT TOLD HER TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. HYUNDAI OPENED A CASE NUMBER FOR HER SANTA FE. HYUNDAI CALLED BACK

Mileage: 185,000

20200525ENGINE

GAS PUMP PROBLEM KEEPS CLICKING AND I'VE REPLACE MANY PARTY BUT STILL LIKE ITS FULL OF GAS BUT I BE ON EMPTY.CAR ALSO JERKS LIKE I'VE BEEN REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND I'VE REPLACE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. GEARS ONLY WORK MANUAL IT'S LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN .ALSO MY TIRE FLEW OFF MY CAR ON THE BACK AND HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER SHIP AND THEY WAS SAYING IT'S SOME PROBLEM THEY CAN'T HELP .

20200525FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS PUMP PROBLEM KEEPS CLICKING AND I'VE REPLACE MANY PARTY BUT STILL LIKE ITS FULL OF GAS BUT I BE ON EMPTY.CAR ALSO JERKS LIKE I'VE BEEN REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND I'VE REPLACE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. GEARS ONLY WORK MANUAL IT'S LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN .ALSO MY TIRE FLEW OFF MY CAR ON THE BACK AND HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER SHIP AND THEY WAS SAYING IT'S SOME PROBLEM THEY CAN'T HELP .

20200525VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

GAS PUMP PROBLEM KEEPS CLICKING AND I'VE REPLACE MANY PARTY BUT STILL LIKE ITS FULL OF GAS BUT I BE ON EMPTY.CAR ALSO JERKS LIKE I'VE BEEN REAR ENDED WHILE DRIVING LIKE IT HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND I'VE REPLACE TRANSMISSION 2 TIMES. GEARS ONLY WORK MANUAL IT'S LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN .ALSO MY TIRE FLEW OFF MY CAR ON THE BACK AND HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER SHIP AND THEY WAS SAYING IT'S SOME PROBLEM THEY CAN'T HELP .

20200518SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE BACK TO HER RESIDENCE WHERE HER HUSBAND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE REAR CONTROL ARM. DUE TO THE CORROSION, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HER FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000. *LN*JB

Mileage: 161,000

20200310POWER TRAIN

THERE'S A REALL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT I JUST PURCHASED THE DESCRIPTION SAYS: FRONT COIL SPRING PROTECTOR INSTALLATION HOW CAN THIS ISSUE BE RESOLVED? THIS ISSUE SHOULD BEEN TAKING CARE OF AND REPORTED TO YOU GUYS BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T. SO I NEED TO KNOW IS IT STILL AVAILABLE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE OR DO I HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS REPAIRED? OR CAN I STILL GO TO A HYANDAI DEALER FOR FREE REPAIRS? I'M NOT SURE OF THE NOTIFICATION DATE. SO IN THE BOX BELOW I'LL PUT THIS YEAR AND DATE

Mileage: 15,400

20200310UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THERE'S A REALL ON THIS VEHICLE THAT I JUST PURCHASED THE DESCRIPTION SAYS: FRONT COIL SPRING PROTECTOR INSTALLATION HOW CAN THIS ISSUE BE RESOLVED? THIS ISSUE SHOULD BEEN TAKING CARE OF AND REPORTED TO YOU GUYS BUT OBVIOUSLY IT HASN'T. SO I NEED TO KNOW IS IT STILL AVAILABLE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE OR DO I HAVE TO COME OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS REPAIRED? OR CAN I STILL GO TO A HYANDAI DEALER FOR FREE REPAIRS? I'M NOT SURE OF THE NOTIFICATION DATE. SO IN THE BOX BELOW I'LL PUT THIS YEAR AND DATE

Mileage: 15,400

20191221SUSPENSION

OUR MECHANIC HAS IDENTIFIED SIGNIFICANT CORROSION TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM, A SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL VULNERABILITY CONSISTENT WITH NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 09V123000. THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL OBSERVES THE DANGER OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURING, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER, HYUNDAI, ABOUT THE SAFETY VULNERABILITY, RESULTING FROM THE LATENT MANUFACTURING WEAKNESS. AS DETAILED IN THE ATTACHED FILE. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS INDIFFERENT TO THE FAULTY VEHICLE PART AND SAFETY VULNERABILITY, AND NO RESPONSE HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WE ARE ATTACHING PHOTOS OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION CONSISTENT WITH THE MANUFACTURING FAILURE IDENTIFIED IN THE NHTSA SAFETY RECALL.

Mileage: 150,000

20191207SUSPENSION

I HAVE BEEN HEARING A CLANKING SOUND SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED MID NOVEMBER 2019 . THE SOUND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE BACK PASSANGER SIDE WHEEL AREA IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND FEELS LIKE THE BACK PASSANGER SIDE WHEEL IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION .AND LOOKS VERY RUSTED OUT

Compare 2001HYUNDAISANTA FE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE have?
The 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 293 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
Yes, the 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE?
The most-complained component for the 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE is SUSPENSION with 38 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:REAR and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.