Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Hyundai Santa FE
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Hyundai Santa FE has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 165 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V435000 Front Coil Spring Corrosion NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V123000 REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V520000 HYUNDAI/FMVSS 120/TIRE PRESSURE LABEL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V030000 HYUNDAI/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Suspension 59 complaints
- Structure 17 complaints
- Steering 16 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 15 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 14 complaints
- Power Train 13 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe faces significant reliability challenges, especially regarding suspension issues prevalent in salt belt regions. Recalls on the suspension and starter assembly further highlight concerns. With numerous complaints on suspension, brakes, and steering, buyers should expect frequent repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| suspension system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $300–$1,200 | very common |
| service brakes | 60,000–90,000 miles | $250–$800 | common |
| crankshaft position sensor | 30,000–70,000 miles | $150–$500 | occasional |
| electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $250–$1,000 | occasional |
| steering components | 80,000–120,000 miles | $400–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 45,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid check every 30,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 10,000 miles
- Air filter replacement every 15,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Noise from suspension
- Delayed engine start
- Uneven braking
- Steering difficulty
- Unusual vibration during driving
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.