VehicleVerdict

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe is among the quieter years of the Santa Fe on NHTSA's books: 219 complaints (26% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 62 reports (28% of the total).

219

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Santa Fe years?

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension6228%
Engine2411%
Brakes2110%
Body & Structure188%
Steering167%
Speed Control157%
Electrical System146%
Transmission146%
Tires & Wheels84%
Fuel System73%
Seat Belts63%
Airbags52%
Other42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Lighting21%

Does the 2002 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.

LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT STILL OK. FAILURE CAUSED LACK OF ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAID IT IS VERY RARE TO SEE SUCH WEAR ON ONE SIDE AND NOT THE OTHER. CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED DUE TO RESULTING ACCIDENT.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 18, 2005 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT INTERMITTENTLY AS THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 15, 2012 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 14, 2021 · crash

WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CENTER AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER. AN INSPECTION FOUND THAT WHERE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT ON THE FRONT BOLT. ORDERED A NEW SUB FRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 15, 2012

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 28, 2014

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 219 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Santa Fe year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2002 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (62 complaints), engine (24 complaints), brakes (21 complaints).

Does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.