2002 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11531011

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11436961

Incident

Oct 14, 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.

NHTSA ID

11398868

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

190,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11394833

Incident

Dec 30, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11374022

Incident

Nov 22, 2017

Mileage

1,900,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11361082

Incident

Aug 25, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11316877

Incident

Dec 6, 2019

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

NHTSA ID

11234120

Incident

Jul 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.

NHTSA ID

11209445

Incident

May 22, 2019

Mileage

168,000 mi

BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTING OUT DUE TO SALT ROADWAYS

NHTSA ID

11205800

Incident

Apr 20, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND MY 2.4L ENGINE JUST STOPPED AND IT WAS TOWED HOME THE TIMING BELT IS CHEWED UP. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF THESE ENGINES THE 2.4L

NHTSA ID

11170497

Incident

Jan 10, 2019

Mileage

114,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11152409

Incident

Jul 1, 2007

Mileage

75,000 mi

RIGHT SIDE MAIN FRAME RUSTED THREW. CAN NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. CAR FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES THE CAR IS TOTALED AND NOT COVERED BY CAR INSURANCE !!!

NHTSA ID

11139990

Incident

Oct 11, 2018

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE ABS ACTIVATES ON DRY GROUND AND FEELS LIKE YOU MIGHT NOT STOP. CAR HAS BEEN TEST DRIVEN WITH A COMPUTER ATTACHED TO MAIN COMPUTER AND ALL WHEEL SENSORS ARE WORKING. AT THIS TIME NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. I THINK ONE DAY THE BRAKES WILL FAIL.

NHTSA ID

11139986

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD AIR TO THE FOUR TIRES AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11131973

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WERE CORRODED ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) AND 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11124297

Incident

Aug 2, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

AT LOW SPEEDS THE BRAKES LOCK UP AND THE CAR GOES INTO A JERKING MOTION WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND WHILE GOING INTO A STORE PARKING LOT. THE CAR IS HARD TO STEER AND STOP AND THE BRAKES MUST BE DEPRESSED HARDER THAN NORMALLY REQUIRED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR GETS WET BUT ALSO DURING DRY TIMES. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON.

NHTSA ID

11100178

Incident

Apr 28, 2014

Mileage

148,200 mi

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO MY TRACKING NUMBER 11092056. I FOUND THAT YOU HAVE ASSIGNED A CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WHICH IS 09V-123000 HYUNDAI CAMPAIGN 090. I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THIS SETTLEMENT SINCE I WORKED IN OHIO FOR 30 YEARS WHICH IS A SALTBELT STATE.

NHTSA ID

11092266

Incident

May 3, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

TOOK MY CAR IN TO A GARAGE FOR PARTS AND LABOR TOTALING 874.00 BEFORE LEAVING I WAS TOLD THAT MY SUBFRAME WAS TERRIBLY RUSTED OUT AND TO GET RID OF THE CAR QUICKLY. I ASKED TO SEE AND TOOK A COUPLE OF PICTURES.AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOUND OUT ABOUT A RECALL FOR THIS.THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WOULD INCLUDE ME AS I WORKED IN OHIO.WHICH IS A SALTBLELT STATE. I WENT TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION WHICH THEY ARE SUBMITTING PICS TO HYUNDAI. THEY SAID I WOULD BE DENIED HOWEVER BECAUSE OF A SALVAGED TITLE WHICH I EXPLAINED HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL OR CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.IT IS A MATTER OF SAFETY AND THEY NEED TO FIX IT. I ONLY HAVE 104,000.00 ON A CAR THAT IS RUSTING SO BADLY THE BOTTOM COULD FALL OUT.

NHTSA ID

11092056

Incident

May 4, 2002

Mileage

104,000 mi

THE BELT THAT RUNS THE ALTERNATER HAS BROKEN TWICE AND CONTINUOUSLY IS SQUEALING IT WONT KEEP SPEED WHEN GOING UP HILL AND WONT LET BATTERY CHARGE CORRECTLY TO KEEP RUNNING WILL STOP WHEN IT IS BEING RAN

NHTSA ID

11073415

Incident

Feb 15, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE STATIONARY AND DRIVING VARIOUS HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11071814

Incident

Feb 8, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET MY REAR END BEGAN TO SHAKE AND CONTINUE TO TRY TO SWING OUT FROM BEHIND. MY REAR SUSPENSION IS RUSTED THROUGH AND NOW COMPLETELY OUT OF COMMISSION.

NHTSA ID

11064563

Incident

Jan 7, 2018

Mileage

189,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY, I HEARD A CLUNK FROM THE REAR, AND HEARD TIRE SCRUBBING NOISE WHILE NOTICING STEERING WHEEL COCKED 90 DEGREES IN ORDER TO KEEP VEHICLE STRAIGHT. RETURNED VEHICLE SLOWLY TO HOUSE DRIVEWAY ABOUT 1/4 MILE AWAY. NOTICED RIGHT REAT TRAILING ARM CRACKED AND DEFORMED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED 4 YEARS EARLIER FOR RECALL # 09V123000 (TRAILING ARM CORROSION PROBLEM.) HYUNDAI AND LOCAL DEALER CLAIMED THAT RECALL WAS COMPLETE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. OBVIOUSLY, THEIR RECALL FIX (DRILLING HOLES IN THE STAMPING TO LET WATER OUT) WAS INSUFFICIENT TO FIX A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT. I HAD JUST SUNK $1800 DOLLARS IN THIS VEHICLE TO FIX OTHER PROBLEMS. AGAIN, HYUNDAI CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX. I CALLED NHTSA AND HAVE FILE FCC COMPLAINT #87016133 AT THEIR RECOMMENDATION.

NHTSA ID

11012800

Incident

Jul 28, 2017

Mileage

127,000 mi

DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING VIOLENTLY IN THE REAR. LUCKILY NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND AND I HADN'T GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY YET. AFTER TOW, DISCOVERED THE TRAILING ARM CRACKED THE SUSPENSION. THIS WAS SUPPOSEDLY "CORRECTED" DURING PREVIOUS RECALL. OBVIOUSLY NOT. DEALER WON'T LOOK AT IT STATING THEY HAVE NEW OWNERS. 3 PEOPLE WITH 70 YEARS OF REPAIR EXPERIENCE HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE, OPENED CASE WITH HYUNDAI, NOT EXPECTING MUCH. VEHICLE ALSO HAD TO HAVE ENGINE CRADLE REPLACED (HYUNDAI DID REPLACE AT NO EXPENSE) HOWEVER THEY SCREWED MORE UP AND IT HAD TO BE RETURNED TO FIX THEIR MISTAKES. VEHICLE WAS "INSPECTED" FRONT TO REAR AND WAS "OK", TWICE. THAT WAS END OF 2015. THIS CORROSION COULD NOT HAPPEN IN THAT SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. EVERYTHING IS RUSTED TO ALMOST BEYOND RECOGNITION UNDERNEATH.

NHTSA ID

10993902

Incident

Jun 7, 2017

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) AND 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS ROTTED THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10979240

Incident

Apr 19, 2017

Mileage

146,000 mi