VehicleVerdict

2001 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe sits mid-pack among Santa Fe years: 293 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 296, with 4 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 78 reports (27% of the total).

293

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Santa Fe years?

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension7827%
Engine4616%
Electrical System4515%
Transmission248%
Body & Structure196%
Speed Control145%
Fuel System134%
Steering134%
Brakes103%
Other103%
Tires & Wheels62%
Airbags31%
Lighting31%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Latches & Locks21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seat Belts10%
Seats10%

Does the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V435000SuspensionJuly 18, 2014 · 271,773 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

09V123000SuspensionApril 16, 2009 · 83,355 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

03V520000OtherDecember 18, 2003 · 249,309 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

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.

03V030000Electrical SystemJanuary 2, 2003 · 25,643 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LOWER CONTROL ARE COMPLETED ROTTED OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. CALLED HYUNDAI THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAVE THE CONTROL ARM WHICH I DID. THE COST OF REPAIRS WERE $500+. NOW THE RIGHT HAND SIDE IS ROTTED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN A FEW MONTHS.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 6, 2008

WHILE DRIVING WOULD NOTICE FUMES ENTERING VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INDICATED THAT A SHORT IN IGNITION SYSTEM WAS CAUSING PROBLEM. ALSO, HAD ENTIRE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM REPLACED.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

THE CAR WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND REVERSE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR THE DAY BEFORE AND WHILE IN PARK AT THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR'S STARTER CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS PUT OUT BY THE MECHANIC. NO INJURIES, THANK GOODNESS IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 13, 2001 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT HAD A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN A 60 DEGREE INCLINE WHEN THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL AND LIGHT POLE. THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 2, 2001 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 23, 2014

2001 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It is close to typical for the Santa Fe: 293 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2001 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (78 complaints), engine (46 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints).

Does the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among Santa Fe years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.