Problems · by component

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical system problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe cite electrical system, 9% of all 308 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
28
9% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON SO THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS? I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE I NEVER RECEIVED A CAR FAX ON IT. THAT IS WHY I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. I KNOW THIS MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF THE MODULE HAVING TO BE REPLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2018Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11092100
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION, THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 03/16/17*LJ *CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2017Electrical system, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10945011
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ROLL UP THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, THE WINDOW FAILED TO ROLL UP AND CURVED. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE WINDOW. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD ONTO THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR IN THE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2015Electrical system, Visibility, StructureODI 10702808
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY STOP BEFORE THE TANK WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2015Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 10694099
“THE CAR LOOSES POWER BUT COMES RITE BACK ..SOMETIMES STALLS WHILE IN TRAFFIC BUT STARTS RITE UP..GOING ON INTERSTATE LOST POWER TACT DROPPED TO O ALL POWER LOST CAME BACK ON ITS OWN ALSO CD PLAYER WILL COME ON BY ITSELF I THINK IT MAY BE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL I HAVE READ ONLINE MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SANTE FE OF THAT YEAR ..NO FIX WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THAT NO FIX SOMETHING IS UP WITH THAT LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE THAT I HAVE READ TO MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEM HYUNDAI MUST KNOW WHAT IS WRONG BUT DON'T WANT TO FIX IT TO COSTLY FOR THE COMPANY...TO BAD FOR THE CONSUMER!!! *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2014Electrical system, EngineODI 10652876
“2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10619574

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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