IllustrationLEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Santa Fe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
500–25K
3025–50K
3950–75K
3375–100K
65100–150K
28150K+
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR OR WITHIN AN INCH OF THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN HE PUMPED THE PEDAL, IT RESUMED THE PROPER POSITION. THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EXTEND APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES FROM THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED.…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR OR WITHIN AN INCH OF THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN HE PUMPED THE PEDAL, IT RESUMED THE PROPER POSITION. THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD EXTEND APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES FROM THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. IF HE STOMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WOULD GO ALL THE WAY DOWN AS WELL. MIDAS STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NO FAILURE AND THAT IT WAS A "HYUNDAI PROBLEM". THE MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE PADS, AND FLUID WERE CITED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE JERKS WHEN CHANGING GEARS, ACTUALLY LURCHES FORWARD. I LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A HUGE LIST. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. SCAN IT NEEDS A NEW CLOCKSPRING(AIR BAG). DEALER WON"T PAY FOR IT. 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS 88,000KM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE HEARD A LOUD THUD AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE HEARD A LOUD THUD AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO BARS THAT HOLD THE TIRE IN PLACE WERE COMPLETELY MISSING, INCLUDING THE LUG NUTS. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE BOLTS WERE SHEARING OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (V6 2.7L 4 WD). MY ISSUE HAS A LONG HISTORY. ONCE THE BRAKES GET WARMED UP (USUALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC) AND I BEGIN TO COAST THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL SHUDDER AND I HEAR A LOW ROARING OR RUBBING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE NOISE WILL STOP IF I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL - EVEN JUST A LITTLE. TH…
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I OWN A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (V6 2.7L 4 WD). MY ISSUE HAS A LONG HISTORY. ONCE THE BRAKES GET WARMED UP (USUALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC) AND I BEGIN TO COAST THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL SHUDDER AND I HEAR A LOW ROARING OR RUBBING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE NOISE WILL STOP IF I DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL - EVEN JUST A LITTLE. THIS GOES FROM A MILD ISSUE TO A BIG PROBLEM - THE VIBRATION AND NOISE WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT I STOPPED AND HAD THE CAR CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIPS ONE TIME IT WAS NOTHING AND ANOTHER TIME, IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE LAST (AND HOPEFULLY LAST) SOLUTION WAS SOME SORT OF LUBRICANT PUT ON THE BRAKES. I HAVE YET TO GO A FULL YEAR WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM RECURRING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND WHILE SOME OF THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COVERED, OTHERS HAVE NOT AND I BELIEVE I HAVE PAID FOR UNNECESSARY REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE 9 TIMES. NO MORE HYUNDAI'S IN MY FUTURE. HOPEFULLY THIS INFO WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE AND MAYBE SOMEONE AT HYUNDAI READS THESE COMPLAINTS. *TR
OUR 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS HAD OVER 25 INSTANCES OF ENGINE STALLING AND POWER LOSS. WE HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION THAT IT WAS BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES AND OVER A 50,000 MILES AND A 2-1/2 YEAR SPAN. EACH TIME IT IS TAKEN IN, THE DEALER CANNOT RESOLVE IT AS THEY STATE THEY REQUIRE AN ERROR CODE OR…
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OUR 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS HAD OVER 25 INSTANCES OF ENGINE STALLING AND POWER LOSS. WE HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION THAT IT WAS BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES AND OVER A 50,000 MILES AND A 2-1/2 YEAR SPAN. EACH TIME IT IS TAKEN IN, THE DEALER CANNOT RESOLVE IT AS THEY STATE THEY REQUIRE AN ERROR CODE OR FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE TO BEGIN TO TROUBLESHOOT. I HAVE CONTACTED HUNDAI AMERICA AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF FAXING OVER ALL DOCUMENTATION AND NHTSA COMPLAINTS THAT MIRROR THE PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING. THIS IS BECOMING AN ENORMOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE HYUNDAI ON THIS ISSUE. *JB
2003 SANTA FE BRAKES NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER TELLS HIM THAT BRAKE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE BRAKE PADS SEPARATED ALONG THE BONDING BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD SURFACE AND THE STEEL BACKING PLATE. OF THE 4 BRAKE PADS, 3 WERE SL…
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2003 SANTA FE BRAKES NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER TELLS HIM THAT BRAKE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE BRAKE PADS SEPARATED ALONG THE BONDING BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD SURFACE AND THE STEEL BACKING PLATE. OF THE 4 BRAKE PADS, 3 WERE SLIGHTLY WORN. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PADS HAD WORN OUT, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISPUTED THE CLAIM AND STATED IT WAS A FAILED COMPONENT NOT DUE TO NORMAL WEAR. *JB
OUR 2003 SANTE FE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. THE TACH DROPS TO ZERO THEN THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AND CONTINUE GOING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BUCKS WHILE DRIVING AT TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT HARD WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE AT TIMES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SENT TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH MULT…
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OUR 2003 SANTE FE WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL. THE TACH DROPS TO ZERO THEN THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AND CONTINUE GOING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BUCKS WHILE DRIVING AT TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT HARD WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE AT TIMES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SENT TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. DEALERSHIP THINKS ITS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT STATES VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A RENTAL CAR AND THE REPAIR BILL. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN NOVEMBER OF 2006 AND WITHIN 45 DAYS OF THE PURCHASE WE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. SANTE FE HAD 54,000 MILES WHEN THE FIRST PROBLEM STARTED AND NOW HAS 64,000 WHICH THEY STATE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS BECAUSE OF THE SHUTTING OFF AND BUCKING INCIDENT'S. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A KNOCKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
Official recalls
414V435000 · 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
1EA08023 · 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.