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2003 Hyundai Santa FE Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 308 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, most often about the suspension (18% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles). It is 8th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Hyundai Santa FE problems
Suspension
56 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Driving down the roadway at 45 MPH and vehicle the front end of the car was shaking and making thumping sounds. The steering was pulling the vehicle all over the roadway. I had to have the truck towed to the garage. The mechanic stated that the car can not be fixed due to the control arm rusting away from the body of…
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to have NHTSA campaign id number: 09v123000 (suspension: rear) performed for rust on the trailing arms. The contact stated that the recall repair worked for the rear passenger side but was informed by a private mechanic that it…
Brakes
43 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages, antilock.
While driving at low speeds and applying the brakes,there was extended stopping distance which increased the possibility of an accident. Currently, the manufacturer was conducting a recall on the ABS electronic control unit. However, this vehicle was not included due to VIN. The dealer stated that unless they could…
2003 Hyundai Santa FE. Left front outer brake pad friction material fell out and was found on ground. Serviced front brakes and found 3 of 4 pads friction material broken away from steel backer. Same condition found on rear pads. Front pads had approx 20% friction material left and rear has approx 50%. Backer plates…
Air bags
42 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
While driving the brakes failed. Upon applying the brakes vehicle continued to coast. However, it happened again, and an accident occurred. Contacted the dealer, and was told there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. It happened a third time which LED to another accident, and the air bags did not deploy. Consumer was…
I was on my way home from work 1/21/2007 @07 :40 am down I 75 south @70-75 MPH with no traffic on the road no items in the road and my drivers side airbag went off. I was driving in the slow lane and kept my hands on the wheel and pulled over to the side. The airbag hit my arm. I have a left upper arm contusion and…
Transmission
35 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, axle assembly.
My 2003 santafe has an idle problem. It feels like it might stall when I'm sitting at a red light. This happens intermittenly and their is no code in the computer so they say they can't replace any parts. The car has bucked about 5 or 6 times over the last 2 months while I'm driving down the interstate at about 70mph.…
The clutch on my 2003 Hyundai Santa FE (58,000 miles)went out on the nj turnpike at the start of a week long family vacation. Maxon Hyundai in union, nj claimed that my driving had burned the clutch out (I have been driving stick for 12 years and my previous car- a saturn- had over 100,000 miles on it and the original…
Body and structure
30 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 135,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact was stopped at a traffic stop when the control arm from the frame of the vehicle fractured and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic shop who advised that the sub frame was completely rotten and corroded. The mechanic advised that the frame…
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE. While inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the spare tire rack located under the vehicle experienced severe rusting and corrosion and could no longer secure the spare tire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…
Engine
29 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall with out warning. The contact mentioned that within 2 to 3 seconds the vehicle would restart and operate as normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
We purchased this vehicle used in june of 2014 with 62,450 miles on it. The exterior and interior were in great shape. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealer in july for an inspection of the rear suspension per a recall. At that time a complete inspection was done, with only a small oil leak found on one axle…
Electrical
28 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
Our 2003 Hyundai Santa FE has had over 25 instances of engine stalling and power loss. We have the documentation that it was brought it to the attention of a Hyundai dealership 4 times and over a 50,000 miles and a 2-1/2 year span. Each time it is taken in, the dealer cannot resolve it as they state they require an…
The car looses power but comes rite back ..sometimes stalls while in traffic but starts rite up..going on interstate lost power tact dropped to o all power lost came back on its own also cd player will come on by itself I think it may be something electrical I have read online many of the same problems with the sante…
Speed control
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle and applying the brakes, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a building. The contact was not injured however, a police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was not inspected for the cause of the acceleration…
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa FE. While at a completed stop, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing;, however, the failure could…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: If an extended stopping distance occurs, it could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ABS ecu. Owner notification began on march 24, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5 liter v-6 engines, 4-wheel drive and antilock braking systems (ABS), if the brake pedal is depressed at speeds between 3 and 12 MPH when the brake pad friction surfaces are wet, a vibration may occur between the brake discs and pads causing ABS sensor electronic signal noise to develop. At speeds below 5 MPH, the ABS sensor signal noise may cause the ABS electronic control unit (ecu) to activate the ABS, extending the stopping distance.
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."
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 2003 Hyundai Santa FE
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (56 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); brakes (43 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); air bags (42 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE?
- It is 8th of 26 Santa FE model years by number of complaints, with 308 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.