Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 13 of 44 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
44 reports
27,800 miles · Apr 26, 2003
VisibilityCrash
I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THIS PAST WEEK A ROCK (APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL) FELL OFF OF AN ONCOMING TRUCK AND HIT MY FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ROCK CAME COMPLETELY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, HIT THE DASHBOARD, & LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY MY DAUGHTER WHO W…
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I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THIS PAST WEEK A ROCK (APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL) FELL OFF OF AN ONCOMING TRUCK AND HIT MY FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ROCK CAME COMPLETELY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, HIT THE DASHBOARD, & LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SAW IT COMING & IN A SPLIT SECOND WAS ABLE TO COVER HER FACE & LEAN TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IF THAT ROCK HAD HIT HER IT WOULD HAVE VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED HER OR WORSE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE ROCK CAME COMPLETELY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD & WONDER IF THEIR IS A DEFECT IN THE SANTA FE. THE GLASS TECHNICIAN THAT REPAIRED THE WINDSHIELD SAID THAT ROCK SHOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH & HE ALSO SAID THAT THE HE FIXES A GREAT NUMBER OF SANTA FE WINDSHIELD. I REALLY THINK THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I HAVE EMAILED HYUNDAI & THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY WOULD ENTER IT INTO THAT DATABASE. THAT WILL NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE VERY LUCKY IN THIS SITUATION, BUT THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE. I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO INFORM THEM. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY CONCERN. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016526
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2003
Suspension
NOISE WAS COMING FROM LEFT REAR SIDE DUE TO REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10009607
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2003
Suspension
A NOISE GENERATED FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10009300
21,024 miles · Feb 1, 2003
Electrical System
CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHERE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND, HOWEVER THE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. MANUFACTURER'S HELP LINE RECOMMENDED CHANGING OIL FROM M…
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CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHERE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND, HOWEVER THE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. MANUFACTURER'S HELP LINE RECOMMENDED CHANGING OIL FROM MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED 10W30 OIL TO 5W30 OIL. TECHNICIANS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL BELIEVE THAT ORIGINAL PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY RELATED TO COMPUTER SYSTEM IN CAR. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10005067
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
AFTER RELEASE FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOR TEN DAYS, AND TECHNICIAN CAN DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10004695
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN A FIRE BEGAN UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A HOSE FROM THE RADIATOR WAS LOOSE FROM THE CLAMP CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE STARTING FIRE. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001047
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
I COMPLAINED ABOUT LOUDNESS IN THE EXHAUST. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONCERN. THE CAR IS DEFINITELY LOUDER THEN WHEN WE PURCHASED IT 2200 MILES AGO. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE CONCLUSION BY THE DEALERSHIP. DT
NHTSA ODI #769024
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2002
Power Train
I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS A WHISTLE/WHINE IN THE TRANSMISION AT 30-35 MPH DURING DECELERATION. THEY REPORTED THIS TO BE A CHARECTERISTIC OF THIS CAR. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER SANTA FE'S AND NO WHISTLE/WHINE. DT
NHTSA ODI #769023
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
Visibility
CONSUMER STATES TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVED KEY FROM IGNITION. ALL POWER WINDOWS WERE STILL FUNCTIONING AND CHILD'S HEAD BECOME STUCK IN PASSENGER REAR WINDOW. CONSUMER STATED POWER WINDOWS CONTINUED TO OPERATE W/VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND KEY IN OR OUT OF IGNITION. MR
NHTSA ODI #8020846
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE DRIVER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NLM ON A SECOND OCCASION WHILE PARKING IN A GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED, ON THE THIRD OCCASION WHEN STARTING THE PARKED VEHIC…
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WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE DRIVER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NLM ON A SECOND OCCASION WHILE PARKING IN A GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED, ON THE THIRD OCCASION WHEN STARTING THE PARKED VEHICLE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED. *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8019907
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Santa Fe Santa Fe Trailer Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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