2002 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls and problems

The 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe has 4 safety recalls and 165 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
165
Crashes / fires
9 / 2
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

Recall 14V-435: Suspension

Reported Jul 18, 2014 · 271,773 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

Problem: 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 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.

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.

Recall 09V-123: Suspension

Reported Apr 16, 2009 · 83,355 vehicles affected · Hyundai Motor Company

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 03V-520: Equipment

Reported Dec 18, 2003 · 249,309 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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."

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.

Recall 03V-030: Electrical System

Reported Jan 2, 2003 · 25,643 vehicles affected · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

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.

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Suspension62
Structure18
Steering16
Vehicle Speed Control15
Power Train14
Engine and Engine Cooling14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
Electrical System11
Engine10
Service Brakes10
Seat Belts6
Wheels6

Most reported parts

  • Suspension › Rear — 15
  • Structure › Body — 6
  • Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields — 5
  • Structure › Frame and Members — 4
  • Seat Belts › Rear/Other — 3
  • Electrical System › Starter Assembly — 3
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 105,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Jul 8, 2023
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 · reported Oct 15, 2021
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…
Suspension · at 190,000 miles · reported Mar 3, 2021
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.
Power Train · reported Nov 10, 2020
My 2002 hyundai santa fe is sharply jerking to the right its almost impossible to stop it sounds as if the car if going to fall into peices im a disabled mom with one one the way I can't drive for fear im going to lose the wheel and crash
Suspension · at 150,000 miles · reported Sep 25, 2020
The contact owns a 2002 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that upon inspection of his rear brakes, he noticed excessive corrosion on the rear trailing arms located by the coil springs. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 09v123000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

Compare all Hyundai Santa Fe years · All Hyundai models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe: 14V-435 (suspension), 09V-123 (suspension), 03V-520 (equipment), 03V-030 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners report suspension problems most often (62 reports), followed by structure (18). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 105,000 miles.

Are Hyundai recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Hyundai dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.