Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Hyundai Santa FeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 308 owner complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. Most complaints involve suspension (56) and air bags (42). The EPA rates it 17–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–20mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
308
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: coil springs

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jul 18, 2014NHTSA 14V435000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Apr 16, 2009NHTSA 09V123000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Mar 16, 2004NHTSA 04V131000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

308 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2003 – Nov 2024
  1. Suspension56
  2. Air bags42
  3. Power train35
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic31
  5. Structure30
  6. Electrical system28
  7. Vehicle speed control24
  8. Engine and engine cooling21
  9. Steering17

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Santa Fe model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001209
2002171
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009359
2010260
2011181
2012355
2013605
2014494
2015255
2016236
2017972
2018110
2019203
2020218
2021168
2022202
2023214
2024156
2025137
202637
Crashes reported
26
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
20
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

56 reports
“BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR A ALIGNMENT AND THEY DISCOVERED THE RUSTED AND CORRADIATED REAR LEFT TRAILING CONTROL ARM ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, I BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AFTER THAT TO GET A RECALL AND THE TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN ND AND THAT STATE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THEY WILL DECLINE THE WORK, EVEN THOU MINN. IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR LIKE I LIVE ABOUT 1 MILE TO MN THEY STILL WOULDN'T EXCEPT THE RECALL, IT IS OBVIOUS THE PART THAT IS ON RECALL FITS MY CAR, WHEN LOOKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE ARM THERE IS NO RUST OR CORROSION. THE DEALER STATES IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE ARM IS STARTING TO BEND ALSO. SO WHAT DO I DO NOW, IT WILL BE VERY COSTLY TO FIX,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2020Suspension, StructureODI 11383941

Air bags

42 reports14 crashes1 fire
“THE AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON - I AM NOW ON MY THIRD REPAIR TO FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. I LIKELY NEED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS! SO COSTLY BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SO HOW CAN I NOT? THIS IS A KNOWN AND ONGOING ISSUE AND HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND COVER THIS DEFECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2018Air bagsODI 11109520

Power train

35 reports
“WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN JUNE OF 2014 WITH 62,450 MILES ON IT. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR WERE IN GREAT SHAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A HYUNDAI DEALER IN JULY FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE REAR SUSPENSION PER A RECALL. AT THAT TIME A COMPLETE INSPECTION WAS DONE, WITH ONLY A SMALL OIL LEAK FOUND ON ONE AXLE SHAFT. TWO MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL FOR A BROKEN SPRING. AT THIS TIME A SECOND INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED. THIS TIME SEVERAL ISSUES WERE FOUND FROM CORROSION INCLUDING LEAKING TRANSMISSION LINES, LEAKING ENGINE OIL PAN, LEAKING BOOTS AT THE FRONT DRIVE AXLES REQUIRING THEM BOTH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE WITH THIS LEVEL OF CORROSION. ALL COMPONENTS UNDER THE VEHICLE HAVE EXTENSIVE CORROSION WITH APPARENTLY A RAPID RATE OF DETERIORATION. THE VEHICLE IS USED ONLY ON-ROAD BEING DRIVEN BY OUR SON TO AND FROM COLLEGE. THE DEALER HAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE RAPID DETERIORATION. ALL UNDER BODY COMPONENTS APPEAR TO BE VULNERABLE TO THIS HIGH LEVEL OF DETERIORATION. THE DEALER IS WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT THE DEALER…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2014Suspension, Power train, Structure, EngineODI 10638669
All 2003 Santa Fe problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
Santa Fe 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Santa Fe 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Santa Fe 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 4768
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Santa Fe questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Owners filed 308 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (56), air bags (42), power train (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe at 17–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026