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2002 Hyundai Santa FE Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the suspension (36% of complaints, typically around 133,500 miles). It is 21st of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2002 Hyundai Santa FE problems
Suspension
59 complaints · 36%Half of these problems showed up before 133,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa FE. While driving, the rear end began to slip as if it were on ice. He was unable to control the vehicle while driving 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility. The mechanic told him that the rear trailing arm was corroded. The entire rear end fell down due to the rust.…
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa FE. While driving 55 MPH, the contact felt that the rear of the vehicle was out of alignment. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger wheel was bent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed…
Engine
24 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
Over the last 4-6 months noticed driver and passengers getting very tired and developing headaches while driving our 2002 Hyundai Santa FE. Cracked exhaust manifold discovered by owner.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact noticed that the vehicle drove abnormally rough and the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. On one occasion, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted immediately. She took the vehicle to the dealer on…
Brakes
21 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
2002 Hyundai Santa FE gls. When moderately braking to slow down to exit the interstate the car rapidly decelerated and vibrated violently. Pulled over and could not get the car to go over 20 MPH. My initial impression was that the transmission was failing. This happened randomly on several occasions. The 2nd time it…
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…
Body and structure
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 157,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
There is extensive and through thickness corrosion on the front right subframe of my Hyundai 2002 Santa FE, it has resulted in the bolted joint of the control arm separating from the sub frame. This was fortunately caught by a repair shop and did not result in an accident. The symptoms were steering pull, and noise…
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?
Steering
16 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 151,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated while traveling at a low rate of speed around a u-shaped drive way, the vehicle made a loud noise and abruptly stop. The contact noticed that the front passengers side right wheel had fallen off. The right ball joint had detached and the contact was not able…
At low speeds the brakes lock up and the car goes into a jerking motion while approaching a stop light and while going into a store parking lot. The car is hard to steer and stop and the brakes must be depressed harder than normally required. This happens when the car gets wet but also during dry times. The ABS light…
Speed control
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles.
While I stopped at a red light my vehicle stalled which this has occurred several times previously. I turned the car odd and on again and proceeded to turn at the light and the car stalled again in the middle of this busy intersection, I turned it off again and back and began to drive up a small incline. I pressed on…
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated after shifting into drive gear the vehicle suddenly accelerated crashing into a garden and a vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The contact did not notify the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Transmission
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle assembly, automatic transmission, manual transmission.
Hi I went to my Hyundai dealer today for what appeared to be a re-occurring fluid leak on the transfer case seal, front passenger side of the vehicle. I was told this time that the leak was caused by a vent tube located at the transfer case. The technical service bulletin referenced by the service advisor states that…
Tl 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.…
Electrical
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly, alternator/generator/regulator.
Tl 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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 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
Questions about the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (59 complaints, typically around 133,500 miles); engine (24 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles); brakes (21 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 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 2002 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE?
- It is 21st of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints, with 165 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.