Total Complaints
219 filings
HYUNDAI SANTA FE · model year
219 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002HYUNDAISANTA FE carries 219 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 3 fires, 9 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 2002 SANTA FE is suspension with 40 filings, followed by suspension:rear (15) and steering (15). 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 2002 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.
Total Complaints
219 filings
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 40 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 15 |
| STEERING | 15 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 15 |
| ENGINE | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 9 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 8 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 6 |
| WHEELS | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 4 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
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."
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
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,
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
The starter motor housing bottom ear bracket that holds the bolt to the transmission has broken off on 3 different starters in the same exact spot on all 3.
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.
I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND FELT THE CAR FEEL AS IF IT WAS FLOATING. THE NEXT THING I KNOW THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE TIRE CAME OFF AND IT HAD. RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. I HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS THE CONTROL ARM BAR. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON GALL BLVD. ZEPHYRHILLS FL.
Mileage: 190,000
I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND FELT THE CAR FEEL AS IF IT WAS FLOATING. THE NEXT THING I KNOW THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE TIRE CAME OFF AND IT HAD. RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. I HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS THE CONTROL ARM BAR. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON GALL BLVD. ZEPHYRHILLS FL.
Mileage: 190,000
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF A CLIENT WHO OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS CLIENT WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, SHE EXPERIENCED WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE CLIENT BEGAN TO PULL OVER, THE ENTIRE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT'S CLIENT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE LOWER REAR CONTROL WAS CORRODED AND HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, UPON SPEAKING WITH TWIN CITY HYUNDAI (3024 ALCOA HWY, ALCOA, TN 37701) THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.*DT*JB
Mileage: 160,000
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
Mileage: 1,900,000
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
Mileage: 1,900,000
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
Mileage: 1,900,000
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.
Mileage: 150,000
THIS SANTA FE HAS A REAR RIGHT TRAILING ARM THAT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAS ALSO DISINTEGRATED THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY, WHEEL HUB, EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND SPRING. I CHECKED THE WEBSITE FOR A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, BUT THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN THE NORTHEAST "SALT BELT" AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BECAUSE OF THIS OVERSIGHT BY NOT INCLUDING THIS VIN ON THE RECALL IT HAS CAUSED MASSIVE CORROSION ON ALL ATTACHED PARTS. THE RIGHT REAR SIDE HAS BEEN MORE AFFECTED THAN THE REAR LEFT SIDE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE ME IN PROVIDING A REMEDY FOR THIS SITUATION
FRAME RUSTED THROUGH ON AT LEAST LEFT SIDE WHERE THE CONTROL ARM IS BOLTED.. PREVIOUSLY REAR TRAILING ARM RUSTED THROUGH.
WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED, THE TENSION ON THE WHEEL GOES AWAY. THE FRONT TIRES WEAR FASTER THEN UNSEAL.
Mileage: 168,000
WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED, THE TENSION ON THE WHEEL GOES AWAY. THE FRONT TIRES WEAR FASTER THEN UNSEAL.
Mileage: 168,000
WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED, THE TENSION ON THE WHEEL GOES AWAY. THE FRONT TIRES WEAR FASTER THEN UNSEAL.
Mileage: 168,000
BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTING OUT DUE TO SALT ROADWAYS
Mileage: 200,000
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY 2.4L ENGINE JUST STOPPED AND IT WAS TOWED HOME THE TIMING BELT IS CHEWED UP. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF THESE ENGINES THE 2.4L
Mileage: 114,000
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.
Mileage: 75,000
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 !!!
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.
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.
Mileage: 160,000
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Steering Shaft Universal Joint Failure
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.