2002 Santa Fe Santa Fe Trailer Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Santa Fe Santa Fe Trailer, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine815.1%
- Visibility713.2%
- Driver assistance611.3%
- Transmission47.5%
- Powertrain (other)47.5%
- Suspension47.5%
- Brakes47.5%
- Electrical47.5%
- Other / unspecified35.7%
- Seat belts35.7%
- Steering23.8%
- Body & structure11.9%
- Tires & wheels11.9%
- Exterior lighting11.9%
- Heating & air conditioning11.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM SINGLE AND NO ONE ELSE HAS ACCESS TO MY CAR, I FUEL IT MYSELF, AND I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, THEY STATED THE GAS CAP IS NOT TIGHT. I CLICK IT 4 TIMES EVERY TIME TO MAKE SURE SINCE THEY SAID IT WILL COST $ 75.00 TO RESET IT AS IT DOES NOT RESET ITSELF. THIS TIME WHEN I TOOK IT IN, THE LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF THEN CAME ON AGAIN, SO SINCE IT DOES NOT SET ITSELF AND THE CAP WAS NOT LOOSE (I CHECKED FIRST THING), THEN I DO NOT SEE HOW THEY CAN SEE IT IS LOOSE. I EVEN ASKED THEM IF MAYBE THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE CAP OR WHY IT CAME LOOSE, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW IT WAS JUST LOOSE. I THINK THERE IS A SENSOR PROBLEM OR GAS CAP CRACK OR PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAP CAN NOT LOOSEN ITSELF NOR CAN VAPORS ESCAPE WHEN IT IS CLICKED 4 TIMES AND VERY TIGHT AND NOOELSE HAS ACCESS TO MY VEHICLE.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. DEALER HAS INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES BUT CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OR CODE.*AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
THE WINDSHIELD HAS BEGAN TO CRACK FROM THE LOWER RIGHT-HAND CORNER (PASSENGER'S SIDE) UP ABOUT 16" IN AN "S" SHAPED PATTERN. THERE IS -NO- INDICATION OF A ROCK OR OTHER ITEM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP (FAIRFAX HYUNDAI, FAIRFAX, VA) THAT IT IS THE RESULT OF A ROCK -BUT- THERE IS -NO_ IMPACT CRATER TO SUGGEST THIS. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT "STRESS FRACTURES" I WAS TOLD -THOSE- OCCUR FROM THE "INSIDE-OUT" AND THAT THIS WASN'T A STRESS FRACTURE... I FIND THAT TO BE B.S. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE DRIVER HAD TO MANUALLY ACCELERATE TO GET THE VEHICLE UP TO SPEED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *PH *NLM
AFTER RELEASE FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER FOR TEN DAYS, AND TECHNICIAN CAN DUPLICATE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXPERIENCED DELAY AND HARSH SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE SINCE 06 JANUARY 2004. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND PARTS WERE ORDERED. AUTO IS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS SHOP SINCE 02 FEBRUARY 2004. DEALER SAYS THE PART IS ON A "NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM REAR END. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE DRIVELINE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.*MR THE CONSUMER FEELS SHE MAY HAVE MADE THE WRONG CHOICE WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED FALSE HORSEPOWER ADVERTISEMENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER A MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AN ECM REPROGRAMMING RECALL WAS RECEIVED BUT ONCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE ANOTHER PROBLEM SURFACED. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED THREE TIMES BUT THE NOISE RECURS NOW LOUDER THAN EVER. THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BACKING. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. *NM
GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS.CONTACTED DEALERSHIP SERVICE BUT ISSUE IS TAKING LONG TO BE RESOLVE.AFTER CHECKING NHTSA,REALIZED THERE WAS A TSB ON THE ISSUE(SERVICE BULLETIN # 0340002).MANUFACTURER IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT NOT ACTING ON THE ISSUE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOISE IN FRONT END SINCE JULY 2002. TOOK CAR TO DEALER APPROX 8 (EIGHT) TIMES SINCE JULY 2002. ON OR ABOUT APRIL 2004 I WAS NOTIFIED - SOR # 29180-ARM & RACK,BUSHING TO BE REPLACED PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AS OF JULY 2004 SITUATION IS WORSE THAN BEFORE. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED STATUS. *SC *JB
WHILE TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY (STRAIGHT UP AN INCLINE), FRONT LEFT WHEEL AND TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HUB. WHEEL AND TIRE REMAINED INTACT AFTER SEPARATION FROM HUB AND BOUNCED DOWN THE HIGHWAY, INDICATING TIRE PRESSURE WAS MAINTAINED ENOUGH TO BOUNCE HIGH IN THE ROADWAY. UPON INSPECTION, LUG STUD BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE HUB. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK IN THE HUB THROUGH ONE OF THE LUG STUD BOLT HOLES. THE POLICE CHECKED THE ROAD FOR ANY HAZARDS WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM, BUT NONE WERE FOUND. DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREMELY SHORT DURATION OF INCONSISTENCY OF VEHICLE HANDLING IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO WHEEL SEPARATION. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
FRONT BRAKES SQUEALING,NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN BRAKE PEDAL PUSH. LESS THEN 13K MILES. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THE SANTA FE. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE.*MR THE CONSUMER FEELS SHE MAY HAVE MADE THE WRONG CHOICE WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED FALSE HORSEPOWER ADVERTISEMENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER A MONTH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. AN ECM REPROGRAMMING RECALL WAS RECEIVED BUT ONCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE ANOTHER PROBLEM SURFACED. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED THREE TIMES BUT THE NOISE RECURS NOW LOUDER THAN EVER. THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BACKING. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. *NM
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE FAILED TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 120. *PH THE CONSUMER FEELS HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF HAVING THE CONSUMER AFFIX A NEW LABEL OVER THE ORIGINAL LABEL. *MR *NM
OWNER MANUAL STATED VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ISO FIX SYSTEM, BUT SYSTEM WAS NEVER INSTALLED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PLASTIC ON CHILD SEAT IS BOWING WITH PRESSURE. *MR UPON INSTALLATION OF THE SNUG RIDE BASE WITH ADJUSTABLE FOOT IN FROST OUTRIGHT POSITION, WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO PLACE THE SEAT BELT SNUG, THE ADJUSTABLE FOOT POPPED INTO THE CENTER SLOT. *SC *JB
THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE NEXT TO IT , BUT LOCKS INTO THE CENTER POSITION BUCKLE ( MIDDLE PASSENGER BUCKLE ). THE BUCKLE NEXT TO THE LEFT PASSENGER STATES "CENTER". WHEN SEATBELTS ARE BUCKLED THE LEFT AND MIDDLE PASSENGERS BELT AND BUCKLE HAVE OVERLAP. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE SALESMAN AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT - THEIR SOLUTION IS TO LEAVE THE PLASTIC BUCKLE RETAINER IN PLACE FOR THE BUCKLE NEXT TO THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER OR COMMENT ITS KOREAN ; AS IF THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOISE IN FRONT END SINCE JULY 2002. TOOK CAR TO DEALER APPROX 8 (EIGHT) TIMES SINCE JULY 2002. ON OR ABOUT APRIL 2004 I WAS NOTIFIED - SOR # 29180-ARM & RACK,BUSHING TO BE REPLACED PROBLEM STILL OCCURS AS OF JULY 2004 SITUATION IS WORSE THAN BEFORE. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED STATUS. *SC *JB
STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS A SKID PLATE THAT IS MISSING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE , THIS COULD CAUSE A FRACTURE TO OIL PAN IF ANY DEBRIS WOULD STUCK IT. THE VEHICLES WITH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HAVE A SKID PLATE, BUT FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES DON'T. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL NO. #03V520000 CONCERNING TIRE PRESSURE LABEL: THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BALD. CONSUMER FELT THAT THE BALDNESS WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF IMPROPER TIRE PRESSURE. MANUFACTURER INSISTED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WEAR OF THE TIRE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALTERNATOR DOES NOT CHARGE. LIGHTS DIM. WIPERS SLOW. BATTERY DIES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM IN MY SANTE FE. THE AIR CONDITIONING WILL WORK NORMAL FOR A TIME PERIOD. THEN WHEN IT IS TURNED ON FROM THE OFF POSITION BY USING THE "AUTO" MODE IT WILL SOUND LIKE THE AIR IS BLOWING BUT ONLY A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF AIR WILL COME OUT. IF IT IS LEFT ON AND IN THE HIGH FAN MODE A DRIPPING SOUND CAN BE HEARD. THE SYSTEM WILL NOT RESET ITSELF UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR A GOOD LENGTH OF TIME (SOMETIMES HOURS). THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT OCCURRED LAST YEAR (IN JULY AND AUGUST 2002) BUT WAS NOT FIXED UNTIL OCTOBER. THE DEALERS REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE THE TEMPERATURE PROBE IN THE SYSTEM. IT TOOK WEEKS TO GET THE PART IN AND BY THE TIME IT WAS ACTUALLY REPLACED THE OUTSIDE WEATHER WAS TOO COLD TO PROPERLY TEST THE SYSTEM. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE RIGHT FIX BECAUSE IT IS STILL HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. THE VEHICLE IS GOING BACK AGAIN FOR REPAIR.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .