Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Owners filed 171 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Feb 2003 and Jul 2023. The most-cited component is suspension (60).
Complaints
171
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Suspension60
- Structure17
- Steering16
- Power train15
- Vehicle speed control15
- Engine and engine cooling15
- Electrical system12
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Service brakes10
- Engine10
- Wheels6
- Air bags6
- Seat belts6
- Fuel/propulsion system4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
4
10
6
7
13
14
23
12
10
8
20
14
3
4
11
4
3
3
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Suspension
60 reports4 crashes2 related recalls
“I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND FELT THE CAR FEEL AS IF IT WAS FLOATING. THE NEXT THING I KNOW THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE TIRE CAME OFF AND IT HAD. RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. I HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS THE CONTROL ARM BAR. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON GALL BLVD. ZEPHYRHILLS FL.”
Structure
17 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000.”
Steering
16 reports
“WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 30-50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED, THE TENSION ON THE WHEEL GOES AWAY. THE FRONT TIRES WEAR FASTER THEN UNSEAL.”
Power train
15 reports1 fire
“MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS SHARPLY JERKING TO THE RIGHT ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP IT SOUNDS AS IF THE CAR IF GOING TO FALL INTO PEICES IM A DISABLED MOM WITH ONE ONE THE WAY I CAN'T DRIVE FOR FEAR IM GOING TO LOSE THE WHEEL AND CRASH”
Vehicle speed control
15 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. FOX ANN ARBOR HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 3975 JACKSON RD, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 663-7770) WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.”
Engine and engine cooling
15 reports
“OVER THE LAST 4-6 MONTHS NOTICED DRIVER AND PASSENGERS GETTING VERY TIRED AND DEVELOPING HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD DISCOVERED BY OWNER. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.