NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Hyundai Santa FE Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Hyundai Santa FE has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 165 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Hyundai Santa FE owner complaints

Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE, describing incidents dated May 4, 2002 to July 1, 2023.

Most-cited components

Suspension 59 complaints
Engine 24 complaints
Service Brakes 21 complaints
Structure 17 complaints
Steering 16 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 15 complaints

Of the 165 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 165 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11531011 · Filed July 8, 2023
The starter motor housing bottom ear bracket that holds the bolt to the transmission has broken off on 3 different starters in the same exact spot on all 3.
ODI #11436961 · Filed October 15, 2021
While dragging the trash can back to the house, I was approaching fence in front of the house, at a slow speed, as I applied the brakes the car started to accelerate. Pressing down harder on the brakes ,it felt like stepping on a brick, with no braking taking place the car accelerated at a high…
ODI #11398868 · Filed March 3, 2021
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…

Read all 165 complaints

Owner-reported

2002 Hyundai Santa FE mileage at failure

124 of the 165 complaints on file for the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Suspension	Median 130,000 miles	Middle half 95,000–160,000 miles	Based on 44 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA08-023: REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE
Closed April 17, 2009
- Recall 09V-123

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Front Coil Spring Corrosion

NHTSA #14V435000 · Suspension — Front — Springs — Coil Springs · NHTSA notice

Reported July 18, 2014 · Hyundai Motor Company

Potentially affected: 271,773 vehicles

Repair completion: 28.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 124 · Owners notified October 24, 2014 · Vehicles built March 31, 2000 – July 14, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE

NHTSA #09V123000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported April 16, 2009 · Hyundai Motor Company

Potentially affected: 83,355 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 090 · Owners notified July 17, 2009 · Vehicles built March 31, 2000 – January 27, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS FOR INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE REPLACED. REAR TRAILING ARMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE DRAINAGE HOLES ADDED AND WILL BE TREATED WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL TO ARREST THE CORROSION PROCESS. INSPECTION, TREATMENT AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT NO COST TO OWNERS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 090.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

HYUNDAI/FMVSS 120/TIRE PRESSURE LABEL

NHTSA #03V520000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2003 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 249,309 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 064 · Owners notified October 29, 2003 · Vehicles built March 31, 2000 – September 29, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Safety consequence

THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 064.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

HYUNDAI/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

NHTSA #03V030000 · Electrical System — Starter Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported January 2, 2003 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 25,643 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 049 · Owners notified March 10, 2003 · Vehicles built March 31, 2000 – August 14, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINES, IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS (CPS) WERE INSTALLED. THE CPS CASES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR.

Safety consequence

A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-829-9956.

Notes

HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 049.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

1 investigation

165 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11531011

Incident: July 1, 2023 · Filed: July 8, 2023

The starter motor housing bottom ear bracket that holds the bolt to the transmission has broken off on 3 different starters in the same exact spot on all 3.

Service Brakes

ODI #11436961

Crash

Incident: October 14, 2021 · Filed: October 15, 2021

While dragging the trash can back to the house, I was approaching fence in front of the house, at a slow speed, as I applied the brakes the car started to accelerate. Pressing down harder on the brakes ,it felt like stepping on a brick, with no braking taking place the car accelerated at a high rate. At this time the car crashed into the left side of the garage and continued into the cement porch taking out the fence, fill tube, and vent tube of the oil tank. At this time I push gear shift into N and turned off the engine. At this time there is damage done to house and car is now totaled with no injuries. Hate to think what would have happened if this happened at the major 4 lane intersection 1 mile from my home.

Suspension; Wheels

ODI #11398868

Incident: March 1, 2021 · Filed: March 3, 2021

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.

Suspension

ODI #11394833

Incident: December 30, 2020 · Filed: February 5, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF A CLIENT WHO OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS CLIENT WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, SHE EXPERIENCED WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE CLIENT BEGAN TO PULL OVER, THE ENTIRE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT'S CLIENT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE LOWER REAR CONTROL WAS CORRODED AND HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, UPON SPEAKING WITH TWIN CITY HYUNDAI (3024 ALCOA HWY, ALCOA, TN 37701) THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.*DT*JB

Suspension; Power Train; Wheels

ODI #11374022

Incident: November 22, 2017 · Filed: November 10, 2020

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

Suspension

ODI #11361082

Incident: August 25, 2020 · Filed: September 25, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF HIS REAR BRAKES, HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE REAR TRAILING ARMS LOCATED BY THE COIL SPRINGS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Suspension

ODI #11316877

Incident: December 6, 2019 · Filed: March 8, 2020

THIS SANTA FE HAS A REAR RIGHT TRAILING ARM THAT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAS ALSO DISINTEGRATED THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY, WHEEL HUB, EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND SPRING. I CHECKED THE WEBSITE FOR A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, BUT THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN THE NORTHEAST "SALT BELT" AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BECAUSE OF THIS OVERSIGHT BY NOT INCLUDING THIS VIN ON THE RECALL IT HAS CAUSED MASSIVE CORROSION ON ALL ATTACHED PARTS. THE RIGHT REAR SIDE HAS BEEN MORE AFFECTED THAN THE REAR LEFT SIDE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE ME IN PROVIDING A REMEDY FOR THIS SITUATION

Suspension

ODI #11234120

Incident: July 23, 2019 · Filed: July 23, 2019

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH ON AT LEAST LEFT SIDE WHERE THE CONTROL ARM IS BOLTED.. PREVIOUSLY REAR TRAILING ARM RUSTED THROUGH.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #11209445

Incident: May 22, 2019 · Filed: May 23, 2019

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.

Suspension

ODI #11205800

Incident: April 20, 2018 · Filed: May 6, 2019

BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTING OUT DUE TO SALT ROADWAYS

Other Hyundai Santa FE model years

Check your 2002 Hyundai Santa FE VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Santa FE at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Hyundai VIN