2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

219

Owner Complaints

10 Crashes 3 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

2

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE has received a total of 219 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, SUSPENSION:REAR, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Suspension (40 complaints), Steering (15 complaints), and Suspensionrear (15 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, potentially affecting up to 630,080 vehicles.

Recall 14V435000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

| 271,773 vehicles affected

Defect: 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: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New...

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 09V123000 — SUSPENSION:REAR

| 83,355 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

Consequence: IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 03V520000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 249,309 vehicles affected

Defect: 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."

Consequence: THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 03V030000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

| 25,643 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

219 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Suspension
Complaints: 40 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Steering
Complaints: 15
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 15 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 15 1 Crash
Engine
Complaints: 10 1 Fire
Service Brakes
Complaints: 10 1 Crash
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 9 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 8
Electrical System
Complaints: 7
Power Train
Complaints: 6 1 Injury
Structurebody
Complaints: 6
Wheels
Complaints: 6
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 5
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 4
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 4
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 4
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 3
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 3
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 3
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Ball Joint
Complaints: 3
Air Bags
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 2
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 2
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
Complaints: 2 1 Fire
Structure
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaftseal
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Traction Control System
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11531011 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
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.
#11436961 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles Crash
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.
#11398868 | SUSPENSION | | 190,000 miles
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.
#11398868 | WHEELS | | 190,000 miles
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.
#11394833 | SUSPENSION | | 160,000 miles
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

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Safety Rating for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

Hyundai Motor America has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

0540001 — POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

TRANSFER CASE AIR BREATHER VENT HOSE. *TT

0340017 — POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

TRANSFER CASE REMOVAL PROCEDURE. *SC

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI SANTA FE

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Other HYUNDAI Models

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