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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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98,000 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Suspension

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE DURING THE COLD MONTH OF DECEMBER I HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS MOVING THE NOISE CONTINUED AS I GOT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUV WAS LOWER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE…

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WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE DURING THE COLD MONTH OF DECEMBER I HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AS I WAS MOVING THE NOISE CONTINUED AS I GOT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUV WAS LOWER THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOUD NOISE THAT GOT WORSE IF I TURNED THE WHEEL. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND WAS EMBEDED INTO THE TIRE. I ENDED UP REPLACING THE COIL SPRING WITH A GOOD/USED ONE WHICH WAS STILL VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620833

200,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other

I CALLED HYUNDAI AFTER HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY REAR TIRE AND JUST PURCHASING 4 BRAND NEW TIRES. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED BENT AND AFTER NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY IT APPEARED THIS WAY I LOOKED UP RECALLS. I WAS GIVEN A RECALL CHAMPAGNE #090 BY HYUNDAI AND TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS COVED FOR REPAIR. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE (UNSAFELY) DR…

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I CALLED HYUNDAI AFTER HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY REAR TIRE AND JUST PURCHASING 4 BRAND NEW TIRES. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED BENT AND AFTER NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY IT APPEARED THIS WAY I LOOKED UP RECALLS. I WAS GIVEN A RECALL CHAMPAGNE #090 BY HYUNDAI AND TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS COVED FOR REPAIR. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE (UNSAFELY) DROVE IT 10-15 MPH TO THE LOCATION TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH LATE THE DEALER CONTACTS ME AND SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE IS READY FOR PICK UP. I ASK MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT AND FIND OUT THAT THEY DID THE FRONT FRAME OF THE VEHICLE AND NEVER EVEN LOOKED AT THE BACK! THE DEALER CLAIMS THE CHAMPAGNE # 090 IS FOR THE FRONT AND THE BACK FRAME IS NOT COVERED. I WENT BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN HYUNDAI AND THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD BY HYUNDAI IT WAS COVERED BUT THEY NEVER CALLED THE DEALER DIRECTLY. I WAS THEN TOLD BY HYUNDAI I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE REGIONAL OFFICE TO CONTACT ME. I LITERALLY WAITED TILL DECEMBER 16. 2013 AND STILL ENDED UP WITH NO HELP FROM HYUNDAI. I DID RESEARCH AND EVEN BEING TOLD AFTERWARDS THAT HYUNDAI GAVE ME A INCORRECT CHAMPAGNE # I STILL SHOULD OF HAD THE REAR SUB FRAME REPAIRED AND ANY PARTS WHICH IT CAUSED OTHER DAMAGES, FOR EXAMPLE; THE BUSHINGS AND A NEW REAR TIRE. I ALSO HAVE PROOF THAT ALL 2003 HYUNDAI SANTAFE VEHICLES MADE FROM JAN 2003 THROUGH JUNE 2003, WHICH COVERS MY VEHICLE. ANY HELP FROM YOUR COMPANY IS MUCH APPRECIATED SINCE MY TWIN BOYS WHO ARE IN COLLEGE WAS USING THIS VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10609001

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2014
StructureSuspension

MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR RUST IN THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION. IT WAS APPARENTLY FIXED BY HYUNDAI JUST PUTTING A UNDERCOAT PAINTING TO THE SUSPENSION, MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR IS SHOWING RUST SPOTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD HAD REPLACE THE PARTS WITH NEW AND RUST PROOF PARTS INSTEAD …

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MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR RUST IN THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION. IT WAS APPARENTLY FIXED BY HYUNDAI JUST PUTTING A UNDERCOAT PAINTING TO THE SUSPENSION, MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR IS SHOWING RUST SPOTS IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I THINK HYUNDAI SHOULD HAD REPLACE THE PARTS WITH NEW AND RUST PROOF PARTS INSTEAD OF JUST PUTTING UNDERCOAT PAINTING. I KNOW MY VEHICLE IS 11 YEARS OLD, BUT I HAVE KEPT IT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH ALL SERVICE DONE AT THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577097

98,000 miles · Feb 24, 2014
StructureSuspension

HIT A NASTY POTHOLE AND KNOCKED THE ALIGNMENT OUT ON MY SANTE FE, OR SO I THOUGHT. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE PUT IT ON THE LIFT TO CHECK THE FRONT END. HE FOUND THE RIGHT SIDE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PULLING OUT OF THE FRAME. CALLED HYUNDAI 800 #. "SORRY YOUR CAR IS NOT COVERED". THIS IS NUTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565696

97,000 miles · Jan 10, 2014
StructureSuspension

RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAS CORROSION DAMAGE SHOWING IN RUSTED BROKEN FRAME. DESCRIPTION IS SIMILAR TO HYUNDAI RECALL NO 091. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559414

175,000 miles · Dec 20, 2013
StructureSuspension

I OWN A 2003 SANTA FE AND JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CARRIAGE CORROSION PROBLEMS WITH THE 2001-2003 HYUNDAI AND SUBSEQUENT RECALL IN THE "SNOW BELT" STATES. I LIVE IN KANSAS, WHERE THEY TREAT THE LOCAL HIGHWAYS IN THE WINTER WITH SALT AND OTHER CORROSIVES. WHY ISN'T KANSAS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? HAS HYUNDAI INCLUDED VEHICLES I…

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I OWN A 2003 SANTA FE AND JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CARRIAGE CORROSION PROBLEMS WITH THE 2001-2003 HYUNDAI AND SUBSEQUENT RECALL IN THE "SNOW BELT" STATES. I LIVE IN KANSAS, WHERE THEY TREAT THE LOCAL HIGHWAYS IN THE WINTER WITH SALT AND OTHER CORROSIVES. WHY ISN'T KANSAS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? HAS HYUNDAI INCLUDED VEHICLES IN THIS STATE FOR THE RECALL? THE LITTLE TRUCK HAS BEEN TERRIFIC, WITH NOTHING GOING WRONG UNTIL NOW. THE GARAGE I TAKE MY VEHICLES TO WOULD NOT ALLOW MY DAUGHTER TO GET BACK INTO THE SANTA FE, FEARING THAT SHE WOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THANK GOODNESS FOR SMALL FAVORS! I WILL GIVE HIS CONTACT INFORMATION UPON RESPONSE FROM YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556815

105,760 miles · Sep 26, 2013
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,760.

NHTSA ODI #10545519

201,000 miles · Aug 20, 2013
Power TrainStructureSuspension

THE PASSENGER FROM SUB FRAME BROKE DROPPING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BENDING THE WHEEL OUT. THIS WAS AT BIG O TIRES CHECKING ALIGNMENT. I SEE THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ON THIS MATTER COVERING 2001-2003 SANTAFE'S. THE FRONT SUB FRAME MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536399

98,000 miles · Apr 13, 2013
Suspension

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I SAW THE RECALL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ON 03 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SO I WENT TO TWO DEALERS AROUND MY AREA AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE CONDITION. ONE OF THEM DID NOT EVEN RESPONDED TO MY QUESTION AND RETURNED THE CAR, AND ANOTHER ONE SAID THEY ARE FINE AND NOT NEED TO BE EITHER TREATED OR REPLACED. THEN A…

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A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I SAW THE RECALL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ON 03 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SO I WENT TO TWO DEALERS AROUND MY AREA AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE CONDITION. ONE OF THEM DID NOT EVEN RESPONDED TO MY QUESTION AND RETURNED THE CAR, AND ANOTHER ONE SAID THEY ARE FINE AND NOT NEED TO BE EITHER TREATED OR REPLACED. THEN A FEW DAYS AGO, JUST WEB SURFING THE WEB AND FOUND THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM OF THE REAR TAILING ARMS RECALL. MY CAR HAS ALL THAT SYMPTOMS RIGHT NOW, BUT HYUNDAI IS TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE FAULTY TRAILING ARMS, AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. MY CAR SWING WHEN I MAKE TURNS WEIRDLY. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOOSE TRAILER IN THE BACK. ALSO THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR HAD BEEN LOWERED, AND ALSO WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP, I HEAR CREAKING SOUND. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS, STRUT MOUNTS, AND REAR SHOCKS SO THEY ARE NOT COMING FROM THOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508136

120,000 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Suspension

TL* 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 APPEARED T…

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TL* 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 APPEARED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE REAR WHEEL AND FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10493721

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.