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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe Other / unspecified Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the other system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Other / unspecified reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Jun 12, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 308 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming other

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 12, 2020
Crash reported

MY VEHICLE CALLS FOR A SWAY BAR N LINK IT DOES NOT HAVE ONE OR A PLACE TO PUT ONE FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I GO OVER A BUMP IT MAKES A REAL LOUD NOISE. I REPLACED BOTH SHOCKS. NOISE IS STILL THERE. THERE ARE 4 RECALLS ON THIS CAR. RECALL #03V030000, #14V435000,#09V123000,03V520000. IN MOTION *TR

NHTSA ID
11328527
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Dec 18, 2018

I CAN HEAR A STRONG RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE WHEN I COME TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP

NHTSA ID
11162157
Incident
Dec 18, 2018
Mileage
173,079 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 19, 2018

"TAKATA RECALL" MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT'S GONNA FALL OFF ALL THE LUG NUTS ARE TIGHT

NHTSA ID
11152419
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 4, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY AIRBAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO TREAT MULTIPLE BODILY INJURING, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I OVERSHOT A TURN AND HIT A POLL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR FLIPPED AND WAS TOTALED. AGAIN, NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS. I FEEL AS THOUGH THESE SHOULD HAVE WORKED PROPERLY AND THAT I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT ANY WORSE, AS MORE SERIOUS INJURIES COULD HAVE THEN OCCURRED. IF NEEDED, I HAVE MORE PICTURES; HOWEVER, DUE TO THE FILE SIZE ALLOWED, I HAVE LIMITED IT TO KEY PICTURE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

NHTSA ID
11052221
Incident
Dec 3, 2017
Mileage
165,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 4, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY AIRBAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO TREAT MULTIPLE BODILY INJURING, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I OVERSHOT A TURN AND HIT A POLL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. THE CAR FLIPPED AND WAS TOTALED. AGAIN, NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAGS. I FEEL AS THOUGH THESE SHOULD HAVE WORKED PROPERLY AND THAT I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT ANY WORSE, AS MORE SERIOUS INJURIES COULD HAVE THEN OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID
11052199
Incident
Dec 3, 2017
Mileage
165,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Dec 9, 2015

WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT MY DAUGHTER'S, I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC. A LARGE BANG AND THE TIRE POPPED. WHEN I HAD A MECHANIC COME LOOK AT IT, HE SAID THE SPRING HAD BROKE AND WENT INTO THE TIRE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN HER DRIVEWAY. I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. I WAS LOOKING UP COST AND FOUND THE RECALL. I AM SO GLAD THIS WAS NOT WHILE I WAS DRIVING OR HAD MY GRANDKIDS IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
10809179
Incident
Dec 8, 2015
Mileage
193,574 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jul 22, 2014

JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE TO VEHICLE ON 7/15/2014 DURING THE WEEK DRIVING TO WORK FRIDAY 7/18/2014 I LOST SOME OF MY STEERING THE TIRES SQUEAK ON THE TURNS UNDERNEATH ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME ROTTED AT THE STABILIZER,BOLTS.PICTURES TAKEN . . *TR

NHTSA ID
10615318
Incident
Jul 19, 2014
Mileage
126,976 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 13, 2010
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK , VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED ABRUPTLY , I STEPPED HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL I WAS GOING APPROX. 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED ( ABS ACTIVATING) FOR A SECOND OR 2 AND STOPPED ,AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY SANK TO THE FLOOR,THE VEHICLE KEPT GOING, I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO TRY TO STOP , BUT IT WAS TOO LATE I RAN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOT A DEFECT AND ALSO IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I FEEL A RECALL BY HYUNDAI SHOULD BE INITIATED SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON DEFECT, PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10325523
Incident
Apr 4, 2010
Mileage
95,899 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 13, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE HEARD A LOUD THUD AND NOTICED THAT THE TWO BARS THAT HOLD THE TIRE IN PLACE WERE COMPLETELY MISSING, INCLUDING THE LUG NUTS. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE BOLTS WERE SHEARING OFF. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ID
10211821
Incident
Dec 11, 2006
Mileage
36,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 7, 2007

WE TOOK THE R 2003 HYUNDAI SANAT FE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND 45,000 MILE SERVICE. AT THE 45,000 MILE SERVICE OUR TIRES WERE ROTATED. WE NOTICED AFTER THIS SERVICE THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE NOISE DID NOT OCCUR CONSISTENTLY. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN INSIDE AND HAD JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FEEL OFF. ALL OF THE LUGS WERE COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. WE COULD RECOVER 3 OF THEM. DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE AS WELL AS THE BODY OF THE CAR. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THEY WERE TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THEY COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY KILLED IF THE WHEEL FELL OF WHILE DRIVING ON ONE OF OUR LOCAL EXPRESSWAYS. OUR DEALERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAVE IT SERVICED AT WON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND STATES THAT ANY EXTENDED WARRANTIES THAT WE PURCHASED WILL NOT COVER THE DAMAGE OR REPAIRS. WE HAVE INVOLVED OUR INSURANCE AGENCY. ONCE THE CAR IS REPAIRED I FEAR THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH ANY OF THE OTHER THREE TIRES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10195536
Incident
Jul 6, 2007
Mileage
48,014 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 29, 2006

AFTER THE HEAVY RAINS HAD OCCURRED HERE IN MIAMI ON MAY 16TH, 2006, THERE WERE UNKNOWN VIBRATIONS IN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, I WAS OUT WITH A FRIEND. WHILE TURN OUT OF A PARKING LOT, WE NOTICED A LOAD POPPING SOUND. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE LOCATION TO PICKUP HIS VEHICLE. HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO INFORM ME THAT I WAS MISSING THREE LUGS FROM MY RIM. THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK TO THE PARKING LOT AND FOUND THE BROKEN LUGS FROM MY CAR. I ALSO TRIED TO REMOVE ANOTHER LUG FROM THE RIM TO ENSURE ITS' INTEGRITY AND IT BROKE OFF AS WELL. WHEN I CALLED ONE OF THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERS, I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY KNOW HOW TIGHT TO TIGHTEN THE LUGS AND THAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN MY ERROR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10158495
Incident
May 26, 2006
Mileage
69,400 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 20, 2005

I HAVE A 2003 SANTA FE (MARCH 2003 PURCHASED). SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE I REPORTED TO DEALER THAT IT JERKS VIOLENTLY (STALLS) AND RESTARTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WOULD SOMETIMES JUST DIE AT A IDLE STOP LIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON (ALWAYS STARTED BACK UP). THE DEALER INSPECTED AND COULD NOT FIND OR REPLICATE ANY ISSUES. I CALLED BACK AGAIN AS THIS WOULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY AND IS QUITE ALARMING. I TRAVEL AS A HEALTHCARE CONSULTANT SO I NEED A DEPENDABLE CAR. JUST THIS WEEK THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AND IT RAN QUITE BAD I DROVE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD CRANK AND TEMP SENSOR. THEY REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR AND I WAS COMPLETELY SURPRISED AT THE CARS PERFORMANCE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ACCELERATED SMOOTHLY AND NO MORE JERKY VIOLENT STALLS. THE DEALER SAID THE SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN BAD ALL ALONG AND FINALLY GAVE OUT. I WAS CHARGED 440 DOLLARS AS THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. I THINK THIS NEEDS INVESTIGATED FURTHER AFTER READING ALL THE SIMILAR REPORTS I DO TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSIONS ASSEMBLY AT THE VERY LEAST THE SENSORS BEING USED IN THE VEHICLES. I AM REQUESTING A REFUND FROM HYUNDAI IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID
10133625
Incident
Aug 15, 2005
Mileage
1,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 14, 2005

ON 4/05/2005 WHILE DRIVING ON SOUTH FLORIDA EXPRESSWAY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OF MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTE FE GL 4D CAME OFF. PRIOR TO THE WHEEL COMING OFF THE ONLY WARNING I RECIEVED WAS A SUDDEN VIBRATION. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 - 60 MPH, FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I NOTIFIED THE POLICE, OBTAINED A POLICE REPORT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME. I NOTIFIED THE HYUNDAI CORP, AND TOLD THEM OF MY INCIDENT. I WAS GIVEN FILE REFERENCE # 906136. I WAS LATER CONTACTED BY HYUNDAI CORP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY CLAIM ITEM (BUT WAS NEVER GIVEN A REASON). THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JAN 22, 2005, I PUT A LITTLE OVER 3000 MILES ON IT. I NEVER HAD ANY WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE, NOT EVEN CHANGED A TIRE/FLAT. I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR SINCE MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT IF ANYTHING I CAN DO. THE POLICE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER BOTH WERE SURPRISED I WAS NOT KILLED OR EVEN HURT. I WAS VERY LUCKY. THANK YOU SINCERLEY, WILFREDO CRUZ.

NHTSA ID
10125209
Incident
Apr 5, 2005
Mileage
24,117 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 18, 2005

THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, WHILE DRIVING 55-56 MPH. THE CONDITION CAUSES THE LEFT REAR ALLOY WHEEL TO SPLIT IN HALF AND DAMAGES THE EMERGENCY PARKING CABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NM *NM

NHTSA ID
10111672
Incident
Feb 12, 2005
Mileage
25,200 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 12, 2003

THE VIN ON MY NEW 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS AN INVALID ONE. THE DMV DATABASE THAT MY INURANCE ACCESSES HAS NO RECORD OF THIS NUMBER. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHO WERE LESS THAN HELPFUL. AT THIS MOMENT, I HAVE 9 DAYS OF TEMPORARY INSURANCE FOR THE CAR, BUT MY AGENT INFORMS ME THAT UNLESS THE VIN NUMBER IS CORRECTED OR RESOLVED, THE CAR CANNOT BE REGISTERED, LICENSED OR INSURED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025958
Incident
Jun 20, 2003

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .