2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems and complaints

Owners have filed 171 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most-reported areas: Suspension (60), Service Brakes (21), Structure (17).

Key takeaways

  • 171 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 9 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 6 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension6035%
Service Brakes2112%
Structure1710%
Steering169%
Power Train159%
Vehicle Speed Control159%
Engine And Engine Cooling159%
Electrical System127%
Hydraulic116%
Engine106%
Wheels64%
Air Bags64%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2002 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR.Not ratedNot ratedNot rated3/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Unknown Or Other - filed 2023-07-08

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.

Service Brakes - filed 2021-10-15

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 th...

Suspension,wheels - filed 2021-03-03

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 ...

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More for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.