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
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2002
Seat Belts
THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE NEXT TO IT , BUT LOCKS INTO THE CENTER POSITION BUCKLE ( MIDDLE PASSENGER BUCKLE ). THE BUCKLE NEXT TO THE LEFT PASSENGER STATES "CENTER". WHEN SEATBELTS ARE BUCKLED THE LEFT AND MIDDLE PASSENGERS BELT AND BUCKLE HAVE OVERLAP. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE SALE…
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THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE NEXT TO IT , BUT LOCKS INTO THE CENTER POSITION BUCKLE ( MIDDLE PASSENGER BUCKLE ). THE BUCKLE NEXT TO THE LEFT PASSENGER STATES "CENTER". WHEN SEATBELTS ARE BUCKLED THE LEFT AND MIDDLE PASSENGERS BELT AND BUCKLE HAVE OVERLAP. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE SALESMAN AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT - THEIR SOLUTION IS TO LEAVE THE PLASTIC BUCKLE RETAINER IN PLACE FOR THE BUCKLE NEXT TO THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER OR COMMENT ITS KOREAN ; AS IF THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #767507
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2002
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility
ALTERNATOR DOES NOT CHARGE. LIGHTS DIM. WIPERS SLOW. BATTERY DIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #767412
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
VEHICLE HAD 1,300 MILES WHEN OWNER BEGAN TO MOVE VEHICLE. OWNER PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL IN REVERSE. IT SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO REAR AND PROPERTY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS STOLEN OFF DEALERS LOT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS TOTALED.…
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VEHICLE HAD 1,300 MILES WHEN OWNER BEGAN TO MOVE VEHICLE. OWNER PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL IN REVERSE. IT SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO REAR AND PROPERTY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS STOLEN OFF DEALERS LOT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS TOTALED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8018793
300 miles · Sep 12, 2002
Structure
THERE IS A SKID PLATE THAT IS MISSING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE , THIS COULD CAUSE A FRACTURE TO OIL PAN IF ANY DEBRIS WOULD STUCK IT. THE VEHICLES WITH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HAVE A SKID PLATE, BUT FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES DON'T. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #8018533
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
I HAVE HAD MY 2002 SANTA FE LX FOR ONLY 60 DAYS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK AGO. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE AT LEAST A WEEK TILL THEY COULD LOOK AT IT, AND THAT DRIVING IT WITH THE LIGHT ON WOULDN'T HURT IT. FIVE DAYS LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN GOING UP ANY H…
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I HAVE HAD MY 2002 SANTA FE LX FOR ONLY 60 DAYS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK AGO. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE AT LEAST A WEEK TILL THEY COULD LOOK AT IT, AND THAT DRIVING IT WITH THE LIGHT ON WOULDN'T HURT IT. FIVE DAYS LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN GOING UP ANY HILL WHEN IN AUTOMATICE MODE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE GARAGE...I JUST HEARD FROM THE MECHANIC YESTERDAY AND MY SHIFTING PROBLEMS APPARENTLY WERE CAUSED FROM A BOKEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER! I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW THIS COULD BE BROKE ON A 60 DAY OLD CAR! SO FAR I AM NOT TOO IMPRESSED WITH THE SERVICE RECORD OF THE SANTA FE! I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN THE BODY SHOP TO HAVE A PART OF THE ROCKER PANEL REPAINTED BECAUSE IT WAS PEELING. IT STARTED PEELING AFTER I HAD THE CAR 1 WEEK, AND CONTINUED TO PROGRESSIVELY PEEL UNTIL THE DEALER AGREED TO PAINT IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766558
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
BROKE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON 60 DAY OLD 2002 SANTA FE!*AK
NHTSA ODI #766557
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Visibility
WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER'S WINDOW EMPLODED WHILE BEING OCCUPIED. THERE WAS NO PASSING OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. OWNER INDICATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING BY AN OPEN FIELD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8015453
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 04/25/02, AND WITHIN 2 MONTHS ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE, AND THERE WAS A MAJOR OIL LEAK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH DEALER FOR THE LAST 35 DAYS. DEALER HAS BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESOLUTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8014061
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
MY SON WAS DRIVING AT 25MPH, THE CAR ACCELARATED ON IT'S OWN. HE ALMOST HIT A TREE. HE BRAKED, BUT IT WOULD STOP ACCELERATING. HE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. WHEN HE OUT IT IN PARK, HE STARTED IT AGAIN AND THE ENGINE RACED ABOVE 7WITH OUT TOUCHING ACCELARAT…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING AT 25MPH, THE CAR ACCELARATED ON IT'S OWN. HE ALMOST HIT A TREE. HE BRAKED, BUT IT WOULD STOP ACCELERATING. HE PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE, HE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. WHEN HE OUT IT IN PARK, HE STARTED IT AGAIN AND THE ENGINE RACED ABOVE 7WITH OUT TOUCHING ACCELARATOR. HE COULD HAVE GOT KILLED. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED.*AKI
NHTSA ODI #763126
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2002
Power Train
THERE IS VIBRATION IN DRIVELINE AND ON FLOOR OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER IS DRIVING AT MORE THEN 50 MPH, CONTACTED DEALER, AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS DEALER CLAIMS VEHICLE NO LONGER HAS VIBRATION BUT VIBRATION STILL EXIST. *AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #8008450
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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