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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.

About this comparison →

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

9 reports
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143,887 miles · Jul 1, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other

SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED DUE TO HIDDEN ROTTING OF INTERNAL MOUNTING STRUCTURE SEPARATION OF SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, CAUSING POOR CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND TIRE WEAR IN AUG. 2013. UNDER BODY WAS EXPOSED TO CORROSIVE WATER IN JULY, 2017 ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND HAS TURNED THE STEEL TO " CRACKERS " RUST CONDITION AND MADE IT UNSAFE TO B…

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SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED DUE TO HIDDEN ROTTING OF INTERNAL MOUNTING STRUCTURE SEPARATION OF SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, CAUSING POOR CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND TIRE WEAR IN AUG. 2013. UNDER BODY WAS EXPOSED TO CORROSIVE WATER IN JULY, 2017 ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND HAS TURNED THE STEEL TO " CRACKERS " RUST CONDITION AND MADE IT UNSAFE TO BE ROAD WORTHY DUE TO POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF SUB FRAME AT BODY MOUNTS.. ALL REPAIRS WHERE AT MY EXPENSE. I FOUND SOME RECALLS TO LATE ON THE COMPUTER. I`M IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE UNIT. I KEPT ALL RECORDS OF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED. THE POWER TRAIN IS IN GOOD RUNNING ORDER. I`M NOT TO COMPUTER SAVEY ! I HAVE A FAX MECHINE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11228814

174,000 miles · May 25, 2019
Unknown Or Other

IN LATE AUGUST MY CAR WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION, SO I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS GOOD TO GO EXCEPT WHAT I BELIEVE WAS THE FRONT ROCKER ARM(COULD BE WRONG) WAS RUSTED BUT WAS DO FOR A FREE RECALL BECAUSE OF RUST ISSUES. HE INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT DONE FOR FREE, AND HE KEPT …

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IN LATE AUGUST MY CAR WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION, SO I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS GOOD TO GO EXCEPT WHAT I BELIEVE WAS THE FRONT ROCKER ARM(COULD BE WRONG) WAS RUSTED BUT WAS DO FOR A FREE RECALL BECAUSE OF RUST ISSUES. HE INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT DONE FOR FREE, AND HE KEPT TELLING ME NOT TO LET THEM TRICK ME INTO PAYING FOR IT LIKE DEALERS TEND TO DO, SO HE HIGHLIGHTED ON THE RECALL THE LINES WHICH READS "ALL PARTS AND PROCEDURES WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE" SO I DRIVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY IT SHOULDNT TAKE MORE THAN A COUPLE DAYS, BUT MONTHS STARTED GOING BY WITH NO WORD FROM THEM AND ANYTIME I CALLED TO CHECK UP ON THE CARS STATUS, THEY WOULD LIE TO ME AND SAY "THE PART JUST ARRIVED AND WE'RE WORKIN ON ITNOW" BUT THEY TOLD ME THIS LIKE 6 TIMES, SO I ASKED THEM TO RETURN THE CAR UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED, THEY REFUSED AND CLAIMED LEGAL REASONS. THEN THEY DID RANDOMLY CONTACT MY SICK MOTHER AND TRY TO GET HER TO PAY 2400 DOLLARS! BEFORE THEY WOULD BEGIN WORK, EXPLAINING THEY WOULD BREAK SO MUCH STUFF IN THE PROCESS THAT IT WOULD COST 2400 FOR THE FREE RECALL, BUT 2 MECHANICS INCLUDING THE 1 THAT SENT ME ASSURED ME THAT WAS A LIE, AND THAT THE ONLY THING THEY SHOULD HAVE TO TOUCH DURING THE PROCEDURE IS BOLTS. SO I CALL THEM BACK AND ASK WHATS GOING ON WITH MY CAR AND FINALLY SOMEONE COMES CLEAN SAYING THAT WHILE THEY HAD MY CAR, THEY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SO THEY START TELLING ME THEY NEED TO WORK ON MY TRANSMISSION BEFORE RELEASING THE CAR. I SAID NO, DONT WORRY ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, ILL WILL HAVE MY GUY WORK ON THAT AFTER THE RECALL IS COMPLETE. BUT THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE RECALL UNLESS I PAID THEM. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO RELEASE THE CAR, THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED, THEY R NOT FIXING IT. SO NOW THE CAR I DROVE THERE NO LONGER WORKS.

NHTSA ODI #11209914

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2018
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

CAR HAS CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END. MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE SUBFRAME AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING SUBFRAME. SAID CAR IS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION." THERE IS A RECALL IN "SALT-BELT" STATES. NOT SURE IT THEY CONSIDER UTAH A SALT-BELT STATE, BUT SALT IS USED HERE EXTENSIVELY IN TH…

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CAR HAS CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END. MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE SUBFRAME AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING SUBFRAME. SAID CAR IS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION." THERE IS A RECALL IN "SALT-BELT" STATES. NOT SURE IT THEY CONSIDER UTAH A SALT-BELT STATE, BUT SALT IS USED HERE EXTENSIVELY IN THE WINTER.

NHTSA ODI #11067165

110,094 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS NOW. THIS NOW MAKES 3 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AC CONDENSER. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE OIL COOLANT FILTER AND THE TWO PIPING THAT RUN IN BETWEEN THE OIL COOLANT FILTER AND THE AC CONDENSER CAUSES IT TO RUB AGAINST THE AC CONDENSER AND OVERTIME PUNCTURE IT AND PUT A HOLE THROUGH T…

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I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS NOW. THIS NOW MAKES 3 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AC CONDENSER. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE OIL COOLANT FILTER AND THE TWO PIPING THAT RUN IN BETWEEN THE OIL COOLANT FILTER AND THE AC CONDENSER CAUSES IT TO RUB AGAINST THE AC CONDENSER AND OVERTIME PUNCTURE IT AND PUT A HOLE THROUGH THE CONDENSER.

NHTSA ODI #10860142

14,000 miles · Jan 19, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I GOT A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL ON SEPT. 19, 2014. I CALL THE PEOPLE ABOUT THE LETTER BUT NO ONE GOT BACK TO ME ABOUT THE RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW IS MY CAR IN DANGER OF HURTING ME OR MY FAMILY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676530

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

42,500 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Unknown Or Other

SINCE THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2003 HAD 1500 MILES ON IT WE WERE TOLD THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUST. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.TRANSMISSION LOST FLUID BECAUSE OF RUSTED COOLING LINE. JUST REPLACED POWER STEERING LINES BECAUSE LOST FLUID DUE TO RUSTED LINES. NOW WE ARE LOSING BRA…

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SINCE THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2003 HAD 1500 MILES ON IT WE WERE TOLD THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF RUST. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.TRANSMISSION LOST FLUID BECAUSE OF RUSTED COOLING LINE. JUST REPLACED POWER STEERING LINES BECAUSE LOST FLUID DUE TO RUSTED LINES. NOW WE ARE LOSING BRAKE FLUID DUE TO RUST. VEHICLE HAS 42500 MILES..CAR PURCHASED NEW IN AUG. 2003. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296104

100 miles · Jul 7, 2005
Unknown Or Other

CAR SPORADICALLY STALLS - UNPREDICTABLY

NHTSA ODI #10127840

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2004
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE READS DIFFERENT MILEAGE THAN WHAT ITS SUPPOSE TO BE. *PH THE VEHICLE LOCKS ITSELF. (KEYS ON PEG IN THE HOUSE AND IT LOCKS. PER CONSUMER) *SC

NHTSA ODI #10055546

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.