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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

What owners actually said

308 reports
28,546 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD; THE DUPLICATE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN HE SHIFTS TO REVERSE GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD; THE DUPLICATE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN HE SHIFTS TO REVERSE GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST DID NOT INDICATE ANY ERROR CODES. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THREE TIMES AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IF THERE WERE NO CODES, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,100. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,546.

NHTSA ODI #10310017

32,500 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE OVER 5 DAYS TO PERFORM DUE TO THE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS. THE CONTACT DID NOT FIND THAT INFORMATION LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V123000; COMPONENT: SUSP…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE OVER 5 DAYS TO PERFORM DUE TO THE INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS. THE CONTACT DID NOT FIND THAT INFORMATION LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V123000; COMPONENT: SUSPENSION REAR OR THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD TAKE MORE THAN A FEW HOURS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,500.

NHTSA ODI #10302522

80,299 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE FRONT LEFT TRAILING ARM CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. AFTER THE REPAIR SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V123000(SUSPENSION:REAR). SHE SENT RECEIPTS TO THE MANUFACTURES MAIN OFFICE IN REFERENCE TO R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE FRONT LEFT TRAILING ARM CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BAR TO SEPARATE FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. AFTER THE REPAIR SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V123000(SUSPENSION:REAR). SHE SENT RECEIPTS TO THE MANUFACTURES MAIN OFFICE IN REFERENCE TO REIMBURSEMENT. SHE RECEIVED A LETTER REJECTING HER CLAIM SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,299.

NHTSA ODI #10297313

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

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2009
Power Train

I HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING OF MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR DURING A SNOW STORM I ACTUALLY RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND DOWN A SLIGHT SLOPE. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO MY REPAIR SHOP WHERE A CORRODED AND BENT TRAINING ARM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPLACED.…

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I HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING OF MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR DURING A SNOW STORM I ACTUALLY RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY AND DOWN A SLIGHT SLOPE. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO MY REPAIR SHOP WHERE A CORRODED AND BENT TRAINING ARM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPLACED. I AM NOW IN THE MIDST OF A REBATE FROM THE COMPANY AS THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THAT PARTICULAR PART. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR THIS DEFECT I WAS TOLD THAT THE OTHER TRAILING ARM WAS NOT CORRODED ENOUGH TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WOULD BE SPRAYED TO PROTECT IT FROM FURTHER DAMAGE. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE AT ALL WITH THIS REMEDY AS I AM NOW HEARING THE SAME NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE AS I HEARD FROM THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN. WHY CAN'T THE COMPANY DO THE RIGHT THING FIX THESE PROBLEMS SO THAT THOSE OF US WHO DRIVE HYUNDAI PRODUCTS CAN FEEL SAFE. YOURS TRULY, MARIE E. ENWRIGHT *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292659

68,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS HAPPENED 18 MONTHS AGO AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER WANTS $70 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM PLUS REPAIR COSTS SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NO THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292655

125,000 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Visibility

ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. THEN, THE BACK WINDOWS FOLLOWED SUIT. THEN, THEY ALL STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL WOULD STILL WORK.. THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AT ALL. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE WHOLE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL AND THAT …

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ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY. THEN, THE BACK WINDOWS FOLLOWED SUIT. THEN, THEY ALL STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY EXCEPT THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL WOULD STILL WORK.. THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. NOTHING WORKED AT ALL. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE WHOLE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. NOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW IS WORKING ONLY WHEN IT WANTS TO AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291680

140,000 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Air BagsEngine And Engine Cooling

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. I WONDERED IF THIS MEANT I HAD NO AIRBAG FUNCTION, BUT NOW AFTER READING THESE COMPLAINTS I KNOW IT IS NOT WORKING. THIS PROBLEM COMBINED WITH THE ENGINE THAT MYSTERIOUSLY AND SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IS NOT A GOOD COMBINATION. …

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ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS NOT GONE OFF SINCE. I WONDERED IF THIS MEANT I HAD NO AIRBAG FUNCTION, BUT NOW AFTER READING THESE COMPLAINTS I KNOW IT IS NOT WORKING. THIS PROBLEM COMBINED WITH THE ENGINE THAT MYSTERIOUSLY AND SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IS NOT A GOOD COMBINATION. I SMELL TROUBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291679

55,000 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Electrical System

ONE DAY IN 2003 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, MY 2003 SANTA FE DIED AND THEN IMMEDIATELY STARTED AGAIN, ALL BY ITSELF. IT WOULD HAPPEN ABOUT ONCE A MONTH, SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. NOW IT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ALSO HAS OCCURRED AT SLOWER SPEEDS. ONCE AT A STOPLIGHT, IT DIED BUT DID NOT STAR…

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ONE DAY IN 2003 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, MY 2003 SANTA FE DIED AND THEN IMMEDIATELY STARTED AGAIN, ALL BY ITSELF. IT WOULD HAPPEN ABOUT ONCE A MONTH, SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. NOW IT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ALSO HAS OCCURRED AT SLOWER SPEEDS. ONCE AT A STOPLIGHT, IT DIED BUT DID NOT START AGAIN. EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN, EVEN STEERING. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIX IT WITHOUT SEEING IT HAPPEN. OF COURSE, IT NEVER OCCURS FOR THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291677

10,000 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WHEN THE SEAT WAS RECLINED. THE ERROR CODE HAS BEEN RESET OVER 15 TIMES. ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HORN. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WHEN THE SEAT WAS RECLINED. THE ERROR CODE HAS BEEN RESET OVER 15 TIMES. ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AND AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HORN. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #10286335

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.