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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

245 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports5 fire reports17 injury reports

Suspension complaints

56 reports
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193,574 miles · Dec 9, 2015
SuspensionWheels

WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT MY DAUGHTER'S, I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC. A LARGE BANG AND THE TIRE POPPED. WHEN I HAD A MECHANIC COME LOOK AT IT, HE SAID THE SPRING HAD BROKE AND WENT INTO THE TIRE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN HER DRIVEWAY. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS AND NEVER …

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WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT MY DAUGHTER'S, I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC. A LARGE BANG AND THE TIRE POPPED. WHEN I HAD A MECHANIC COME LOOK AT IT, HE SAID THE SPRING HAD BROKE AND WENT INTO THE TIRE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN HER DRIVEWAY. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. I WAS LOOKING UP COST AND FOUND THE RECALL. I AM SO GLAD THIS WAS NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING OR HAD MY GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10809179

140,000 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Suspension

LEFT FRONT TRAILER ARM CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, TIRE CAME OFF VEHICLE. SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. CAR USED TO BE KEPT IN ONE OF THE SALT BELT STATES. NO RECALL TO THIS PART ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI, ONLY RECALL FOR COIL SPRING AND REAR TRAILER ARM.

NHTSA ODI #10749857

151,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Suspension

I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDENT IT STARTED MAKING A NOISE SO I PULLED OVER AND TH3N I FOUND OUT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED

NHTSA ODI #10732373

180,000 miles · Jun 25, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) IN OCTOBER OF 2009. THE SUSPENSION WAS TREATED WITH A RUST PROOFING MATERIAL TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. IN JUNE OF 2015, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE AP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) IN OCTOBER OF 2009. THE SUSPENSION WAS TREATED WITH A RUST PROOFING MATERIAL TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. IN JUNE OF 2015, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE PULLING TO THE LEFT AND A CRUNCHING NOISE WAS PRESENT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS TILTED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10730284

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). PER THE SERVICE REPORT, THE DEALER REPLACED THE COIL SPRINGS PROTECTOR AND NOT THE ACTUAL COIL SPRINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10693662

216,358 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Suspension

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000. THIS IS A RECALL I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT, ALTHOUGH I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD, REGISTERED, AND DRIVEN IN ONE OF THE "SALT BELT" STATES. BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY HYUNDAI, I NEVER HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A AUTHORIZED DEALER. AND TODAY…

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THIS IS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000. THIS IS A RECALL I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT, ALTHOUGH I HAVE A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD, REGISTERED, AND DRIVEN IN ONE OF THE "SALT BELT" STATES. BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY HYUNDAI, I NEVER HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY A AUTHORIZED DEALER. AND TODAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING BROKE. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER THAT CAN MAKE THIS REPAIR IS OVER 100 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. I PLACED A CALL TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-855-671-3059 AND WAS TOLD I HAD TWO OPTIONS - (1), I COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR, OR (2), HAVE MY SANTA FE REPAIRED LOCALLY, THEN TAKE IT TO A AUTHORIZED DEALER TO ENSURE THE REPAIR MET THEIR STANDARDS, AND THEN HOPE TO GET REIMBURSED - WHICH COULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO FOUR MONTHS. I DO NOT BELIEVE HYUNDAI HAS DONE ALL THEY COULD DO TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. FIRST, THEY NEVER CONTACTED ME, EVEN THOUGH I MADE THE DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN AWARE OF OUR MOVE TO NEBRASKA. SO HYUNDAI HAD OUR NEW ADDRESS INFORMATION. IF I HAD BEEN CONTACTED, I COULD HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT IN CHEYENNE, WY WHERE I GO AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH TO MEET WITH A FEW CLIENTS. NOW MY VEHICLE IS DAMAGED AND I CANNOT DRIVE IT, WHICH TAKES AWAY FROM MY LIVELIHOOD. AND TO GET IT REPAIRED, I NEED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS LOCALLY AND HOPE HYUNDAI REIMBURSES ME, OR I HAVE TO RENT A TRAILER AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT WAY. HYUNDAI DOES NOT SEEM TO VALUE THE TIME I'VE LOST FROM WORK, THE TIME I'VE LOST FROM MEETING WITH CLIENTS, AND THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE I WILL INCUR WITH MY TWO REPAIR OPTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10690763

105,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION), THE FAILURE OCCURRED. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THERE WAS ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION), THE FAILURE OCCURRED. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THERE WAS ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10682956

114,000 miles · Jan 21, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAK OIL AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LEAK OIL AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ODI #10676995

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10672410

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2015
Suspension

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY OF 2015. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERI…

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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APPROXIMATELY FEBRUARY OF 2015. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. DJR

NHTSA ODI #10670649

Official recalls

4

14V435000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jul 18, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

09V123000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 16, 2009

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.

Consequence & remedy

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 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.

04V131000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Mar 16, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V520000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 18, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA08023 · Rear Trailing Arm Corrosion Failure

Opened Oct 28, 2008 · Closed Apr 17, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear

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 ARMS MAY RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE AFFECTED ARM WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED TRAILING ARMS.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING REAR TRAILING ARMS.ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT COMPONENTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION, HYUNDAI NOTED IT WOULD PERFORM A SIMILAR PROCEDURE FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAMES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 99% OF ALL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO TRAILING ARM CORROSION WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 92% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 30 REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURE INCIDENTS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.TWENTY-NINE (29) OF THE FRACTURE INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

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 ARMS MAY RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE AFFECTED ARM WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED TRAILING ARMS.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING REAR TRAILING ARMS.ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT COMPONENTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION, HYUNDAI NOTED IT WOULD PERFORM A SIMILAR PROCEDURE FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAMES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 99% OF ALL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO TRAILING ARM CORROSION WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 92% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 30 REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURE INCIDENTS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.TWENTY-NINE (29) OF THE FRACTURE INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Suspension:rear

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 ARMS MAY RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE AFFECTED ARM WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE INSPECTED IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES USING A PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY HYUNDAI TO MEASURE METAL THICKNESS.PARTS WITH PERFORATIONS FROM CORROSION OR WITH METAL BELOW THE SPECIFIED THICKNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED TRAILING ARMS.IF THE MINIMUM METAL THICKNESS IS MET, DRAINAGE HOLES AND AND RUST PROOFING MATERIAL WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING REAR TRAILING ARMS.ALTHOUGH NOT SUBJECT COMPONENTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION, HYUNDAI NOTED IT WOULD PERFORM A SIMILAR PROCEDURE FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAMES OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT DATA REVEALED THAT 99% OF ALL CONSUMER COMPLAINTS RELATED TO TRAILING ARM CORROSION WERE FROM VEHICLES EITHER ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES. SIMILARLY 92% OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS WERE FROM VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR OPERATED IN SALTBELT STATES.ODI IDENTIFIED 30 REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURE INCIDENTS THROUGH ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY INFORMATION AND CONSUMER INTERVIEWS.TWENTY-NINE (29) OF THE FRACTURE INCIDENTS INVOLVED VEHICLES IN STATES COVERED BY THE RECALL.BASED ON HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.