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2001 Hyundai Santa FE Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 209 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the suspension (36% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles). It is 16th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Hyundai Santa FE problems
Suspension
76 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa FE. During state inspection he was advised that the front motor control arm was loose . A technician from a local repair facility replaced the component at an expense of $190.00. After the repair he received a recall notice for the rear trailing arm. The dealer was not contacted .…
While backing out of the driveway I noted a crunching sound from the rear of the vehicle. After driving approx one mile I inspected the rear suspension. I found the driver's side lower trailing arm had rusted to the point that it had collapsed. This vehicle has been kept in a garage in northern virginia since new. Up…
Engine
40 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2001 Santa FE 4 cylinder car stalled,wouldn't start, had to replace crankcase position sensor, old part not available, exact same problem subject of recall campaign for 6 cylinder engine of same model car, Hyundai refuses to assist.
On june 12th the vehicle started to rattle and proceeded to shake. The vehicle would not accelerate but instead decelerated on 695 towards towson. The vehicle was drifting at 25 MPH. I then proceeded to the nearest exit which was bel air road. I proceeded onto this exit when my vehicle shut off losing all power. At…
Electrical
35 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition, alternator/generator/regulator, starter assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. Djr
Suspension /check engine light /lower ball joint: dealer replace @54,353 miles, lower arm in 2004 and 8/2006 replacement is needed I have taken my 2001 Santa FE to dealer 8 plus times for check engine light and was told found tether on gas cap not letting cap close tight enough /moved tether and ran evap test and…
Transmission
23 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Vehicle- Hyundai Santa FE 2001 2.4l 58000 miles sudden clutch failure due to excessive slippage caused by hydraulic problem in the clutch slave cylinder. Internet research indicates this is a pervasive problem with Hyundai clutches in general. Manufacturer apparently is ignoring the problem. In excess of $2000 in…
Suspension /check engine light /lower ball joint: dealer replace @54,353 miles, lower arm in 2004 and 8/2006 replacement is needed I have taken my 2001 Santa FE to dealer 8 plus times for check engine light and was told found tether on gas cap not letting cap close tight enough /moved tether and ran evap test and…
Body and structure
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 128,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
Subframe/engine cradle rot to point of separation, loss of steering and vehicle control. My newly licensed grand-daughter took it for a short about town drive, not getting more than a quarter mile before the wheel snapped out of her hands and the vehicle headed for the center line. She managed to get it to the side of…
The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa FE. While the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, it was diagnosed that the subframe failed due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.
Speed control
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling and as the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle dramatically accelerated. The RPM's surged to approximately 3,000. The dealer could not duplicate the failure or provide a sufficient remedy. As of october 8, 2008, the…
Suspension /check engine light /lower ball joint: dealer replace @54,353 miles, lower arm in 2004 and 8/2006 replacement is needed I have taken my 2001 Santa FE to dealer 8 plus times for check engine light and was told found tether on gas cap not letting cap close tight enough /moved tether and ran evap test and…
Fuel system
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 102,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, carburetor system.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, he noticed a fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the contact was informed that the fuel tank and straps were corroded. The contact called the manufacturer who took a complaint but offered no further…
When approaching a stop (<5mph) and braking, the car engages in unintended acceleration. The engine will tach to over 3000 RPM and if you are not hard on the brakes, the car will accelerate. At least one time the car had to be put into neutral and the ignition turned off to keep the car under control.
Steering
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist, linkages.
I had failure of the rear trailing arm on my 2001 Santa FE. On the highway in the rain. I have yet to be notified of this recall by the Hyundai corporation. Why? This recall is 6 months old and this is the first I hear about it. How many others don't know? This company has been slow to respond.
Driving on expressway plastic garbage bag flew under car catching on power steering lines which broke due to rust corrosion. Only one line broke but replaced both lines as precaution. Hard to have the car towed. Total cost $444.07 ( 277.15 parts + 166.92 labor- aaa membership). Michigan winters!
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Hyundai Santa FE recalls
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 âsalt 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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: If the corrosion is allowed to progress, the rear trailing arm may fracture while driving, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: The tire pressure labels do not contain the information required by the standard.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Electrical: starter assembly
Risk: A damaged cps capacitor could result in engine stalling.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear trailing arm corrosion failure
Summary
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
Rear suspension trailing arm failure
Summary
In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi) during this preliminary evaluation, hyundai provided odi with 15 allegations of corrosion failure of the left- and/or right-rear suspension trailing arm.three of the 15 consumers alleged a loss of vehicle control as a result of a rear trailing arm corrosion failure.similarly, odi has received 12 complaints of rear trailing arm failure (one is a duplicate of a complaint filed with hyundai).of the 12 odi complaints, 4 consumers allege a loss of vehicle control. In total, odi is aware of 26 consumer allegations of rear trailing arm corrosion failures and 7 allegations that the failures affected vehicl
Engine seizure
Summary
There is no summary currently available
Questions about the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (76 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); engine (40 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles); electrical (35 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 18, 2014 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE?
- It is 16th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints, with 209 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.