Hyundai Santa Fe 2003
The 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe came with 3 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 2.7 L 6-cylinder, 3.5 L 6-cylinder. It gets 17 to 20 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA. 4 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.
Specs
| Cylinders | 4 |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic · 4 speeds |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel (FWD) |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 4,500 × 1,820 × 1,680 mm (177.2 × 71.7 × 66.1 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm (103.1 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,636 kg (3,607 lb) |
| Body style | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
Dimensions and weight: median of the 2 versions in Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC). Each version differs slightly.
For sale in United States
Other Hyundai cars for sale in United States
Safety
Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.
Fuel economy (MPG)
🇺🇸 Local dataBy version
| Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cylinder | Automatic · 4 speeds | Front-wheel (FWD) | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG |
| 2.4 L 4-cylinder | Manual · 5 speeds | Front-wheel (FWD) | 18 MPG | 25 MPG | 20 MPG |
| 2.7 L 6-cylinder | Automatic · 4 speeds | AWD | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG |
| 2.7 L 6-cylinder | Automatic · 4 speeds | Front-wheel (FWD) | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG |
| 3.5 L 6-cylinder | Automatic · 5 speeds | AWD | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG |
| 3.5 L 6-cylinder | Automatic · 5 speeds | Front-wheel (FWD) | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG |
EPA figures for each version sold in the U.S.
Recalls
Consequence · Remedy
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.
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.
Consequence · Remedy
IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Consequence · Remedy
IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Consequence · Remedy
THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
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.
It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.
Details
On certain vehicles, the front suspension coil springs may be susceptible to corrosion. Over time, corrosion could cause the springs to fail, potentially damaging front tires and causing rapid air loss and/or tire failure, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace coil springs as necessary. Additionally, a spring guide will be installed to prevent the coil spring from contacting the tire.
Details
On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), road salt may cause internal corrosion of the rear trailing arms, which could lead to thinning or perforation of the trailing arm steel. In time, the trailing arms may fracture, which could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the rear trailing arms. Should the trailing arms not require replacement, drainage holes will be added, as well as treatment with rust-proofing material to arrest the corrosion process.
Details
On certain vehicles, the wheel rims and the tire pressure labels do not comply with CMVSS 120. The rims do not contain the required markings and the tire pressure labels do not contain the rim size. Correction: Hyundai will provide owners with a corrected tire pressure label. Since the non-compliant wheel rims do not pose any safety risk, no corrective action is required.
On the road
Cars of this model first registered in 2003, from official registers. Each figure belongs to its country.
Common problems
40 reports🇺🇸 Local dataReported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the ABS system activated, and there was an abnormal shuddering in the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repair…
The driver's side rear trailing arm lower broke again. Was driving all of a sudden felt it start fishtailing and pulled over and thank God I didn't crash
Bought a set of duralast gold wrists a801116 asks since the day i put them in i had to replace parts whole charging a problem that turned out to be from the wires. Cause it was causing arcing in every one of the cylinders.
The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side front wheel detached without warning. The wheel bearing and hub were replaced by the owner. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was …
BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR A ALIGNMENT AND THEY DISCOVERED THE RUSTED AND CORRADIATED REAR LEFT TRAILING CONTROL ARM ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, I BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AFTER THAT TO GET A RECALL AND THE TOLD ME THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN ND AND THAT STATE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THEY WILL DECLINE THE …
THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. IT WAS GARAGE KEPT AND DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 150,000 MILES ON IT.
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
REAR TRAILING ARM CORRODED AND BUSTED WHILE IN MOTION. CAUSED REAR END TO COLLAPSE AND FISHTAIL. PASSENGER SIDE SNAPPED, DRIVERS SIDE IS VERY CORRODED. JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, HAD NO IDEA THESE PARTS WERE UNSTABLE.
THE REAR END OF MY SANTA FE HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE BACK WHEELS WILL NOT TRACK IN A STRAIGHT LINE. HYUNDAI HAD A RECALL NR 09V123000 IN 4/16/2009 TO FIX THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT ACCORDING TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE, THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO ME BECAUSE MY SANTA FE WASN'T PURCHASED OR REGISTERED IN A SPECIFIC…
MICHELIN X RADIAL LT2 P225/70R16 101T TIRES WITH DOT NUMBERS AP4V 003X 2614, AP4V 003X 2714, AP4V 003X 2614,AND AP4V 003X 2114. ALL 4 TIRES INSTALLED 09/04/2014 @ 80,421 MILES. 08/31/2019 ODOMETER AT 97,528 MILES. 17,107 MILES ON 75,000 MILE WARRANTY TIRES. TIRE DRY ROT AND CRACKING FIRST NOTICED IN 2015 AND HAS PR…
SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED DUE TO HIDDEN ROTTING OF INTERNAL MOUNTING STRUCTURE SEPARATION OF SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, CAUSING POOR CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND TIRE WEAR IN AUG. 2013. UNDER BODY WAS EXPOSED TO CORROSIVE WATER IN JULY, 2017 ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND HAS TURNED THE STEEL TO " CRACKERS " RUST CONDITION AND MADE IT …
IN LATE AUGUST MY CAR WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION, SO I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS GOOD TO GO EXCEPT WHAT I BELIEVE WAS THE FRONT ROCKER ARM(COULD BE WRONG) WAS RUSTED BUT WAS DO FOR A FREE RECALL BECAUSE OF RUST ISSUES. HE INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT DONE FOR FREE, A…
Questions
- What engine does the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
- The 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe came with 3 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 2.7 L 6-cylinder, 3.5 L 6-cylinder.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- It gets 17 to 20 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA.
- Does the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?
- 4 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Suspension (2014-07-18).
- What are the common problems of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- 40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Suspension.
Other years
Other models by Hyundai
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