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Hyundai Santa Fe 2003 — Reported problems

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote. 🇺🇸 Local data

40 owners reported problems with the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe to NHTSA, most often about air bags.

All reports

40
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2024-11-01 · NHTSA 11623194

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 repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

STEERING,SUSPENSION 2024-05-17 · NHTSA 11589298

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

ENGINE 2023-03-26 · NHTSA 11513824

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.

WHEELS 2021-07-26 · NHTSA 11426465

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 not contacted nor informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE 2020-12-17 · NHTSA 11383941

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 WORK, EVEN THOU MINN. IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR LIKE I LIVE ABOUT 1 MILE TO MN THEY STILL WOULDN'T EXCEPT THE RECALL, IT IS OBVIOUS THE PART THAT IS ON RECALL FITS MY CAR, WHEN LOOKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE ARM THERE IS NO RUST OR CORROSION. THE DEALER STATES IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE ARM IS STARTING TO BEND ALSO. SO WHAT DO I DO NOW, IT WILL BE VERY COSTLY TO FIX,

STRUCTURE 2020-10-19 · NHTSA 11365190

THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. IT WAS GARAGE KEPT AND DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 150,000 MILES ON IT.

WHEELS Crash 2020-06-12 · NHTSA 11328527

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

SUSPENSION 2019-11-30 · NHTSA 11283039

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.

SUSPENSION 2019-11-27 · NHTSA 11282729

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 STATE. MY GRANDSON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND NEARLY WRECKED. HYUNDAI WOULDN'T EVEN OFFER A TOW INTO A DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM.

TIRES 2019-09-05 · NHTSA 11253324

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 PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE A TIRE PROFESSIONAL HAS STATED THAT THE TIRES ARE NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE WITH ON 08/31/2019. THERE IS A NEED FOR A DETERMINATION ON WHAT SIZE OF SIDEWALL AND TREAD CRACKING THAT WILL CAUSE A SAFETY RISK AND WHEN A MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECALL AND REPLACE FOR THESE DEFECTS. I HAVE TIRES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER THAT ARE YEARS OLDER THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE SUN A LOT MORE THAT DO NOT HAVE DRY ROT CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALL OR IN THE TREAD.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2019-07-01 · NHTSA 11228814

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 UNSAFE TO BE ROAD WORTHY DUE TO POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF SUB FRAME AT BODY MOUNTS.. ALL REPAIRS WHERE AT MY EXPENSE. I FOUND SOME RECALLS TO LATE ON THE COMPUTER. I`M IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE UNIT. I KEPT ALL RECORDS OF REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED. THE POWER TRAIN IS IN GOOD RUNNING ORDER. I`M NOT TO COMPUTER SAVEY ! I HAVE A FAX MECHINE. THANK YOU.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2019-05-25 · NHTSA 11209914

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, AND HE KEPT TELLING ME NOT TO LET THEM TRICK ME INTO PAYING FOR IT LIKE DEALERS TEND TO DO, SO HE HIGHLIGHTED ON THE RECALL THE LINES WHICH READS "ALL PARTS AND PROCEDURES WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE" SO I DRIVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY IT SHOULDNT TAKE MORE THAN A COUPLE DAYS, BUT MONTHS STARTED GOING BY WITH NO WORD FROM THEM AND ANYTIME I CALLED TO CHECK UP ON THE CARS STATUS, THEY WOULD LIE TO ME AND SAY "THE PART JUST ARRIVED AND WE'RE WORKIN ON ITNOW" BUT THEY TOLD ME THIS LIKE 6 TIMES, SO I ASKED THEM TO RETURN THE CAR UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED, THEY REFUSED AND CLAIMED LEGAL REASONS. THEN THEY DID RANDOMLY CONTACT MY SICK MOTHER AND TRY TO GET HER TO PAY 2400 DOLLARS! BEFORE THEY WOULD BEGIN WORK, EXPLAINING THEY WOULD BREAK SO MUCH STUFF IN THE PROCESS THAT IT WOULD COST 2400 FOR THE FREE RECALL, BUT 2 MECHANICS INCLUDING THE 1 THAT SENT ME ASSURED ME THAT WAS A LIE, AND THAT THE ONLY THING THEY SHOULD HAVE TO TOUCH DURING THE PROCEDURE IS BOLTS. SO I CALL THEM BACK AND ASK WHATS GOING ON WITH MY CAR AND FINALLY SOMEONE COMES CLEAN SAYING THAT WHILE THEY HAD MY CAR, THEY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, SO THEY START TELLING ME THEY NEED TO WORK ON MY TRANSMISSION BEFORE RELEASING THE CAR. I SAID NO, DONT WORRY ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, ILL WILL HAVE MY GUY WORK ON THAT AFTER THE RECALL IS COMPLETE. BUT THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON THE RECALL UNLESS I PAID THEM. THEY ALSO REFUSED TO RELEASE THE CAR, THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED, THEY R NOT FIXING IT. SO NOW THE CAR I DROVE THERE NO LONGER WORKS.

SERVICE BRAKES 2019-02-02 · NHTSA 11173700

BREAKS LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING BAD SMELL CAR WONT MOVE

SUSPENSION,WHEELS 2018-12-18 · NHTSA 11162157

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

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS 2018-11-19 · NHTSA 11152419

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

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2018-08-16 · NHTSA 11120235

2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, 180K MILES, 2ND OWNER. CUSTOMER STATES: FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK ONTO GROUND; SAFETY CONCERN & FIRE HAZARD. UNABLE TO PARK IN GARAGE/DRIVEWAY. FUEL LIGHT ON; LOW FUEL LEVEL. FILLED WITH $7.00 IN GAS ($2.70/GAL). AFTER FUELING, FUEL GAUGE HASN'T MOVED. ADDED MORE FUEL & SET GAS STATION FUEL NOZZLE TO AUTO STOP WHEN FULL. GAUGE SAYS 3/4 TANK (NORMALLY WOULD READ FULL TANK).THEN DROVE 12 MILES NO ISSUES. PARKED ON RESIDENTIAL STREET FOR 1-2 DAYS. SEARCHED ONLINE FOUND 'WARRANTY EXTENSION' ON FUEL TANK. DRIVING TO CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALER, 15 MILES AWAY. DROVE 5 MILES ON INTERSTATE, LOSING POWER. PULLED OFF AT NEAREST EXIT, DIED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, OVER INTERSTATE BRIDGE. OIL, BATTERY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC. ON. CARS BEHIND ME MAD, HONKING, RUSH HOUR. GOT IT STARTED, NOWHERE SAFE TO PULL OVER, LANE IEADS ME TO INTERSTATE, NOW HEADED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION TOWARDS HOME. LOST POWER, DIED AGAIN, <1 MILE FROM HOME ON EXIT RAMP. LET SIT 4-5 HRS. DARK;11PM. RESTARTED, DROVE FEW FEET, DIED. DARK OUTSIDE. PUT IN NEUTRAL, ROLL BACKWARDS, STEER ONTO SHOULDER FOR SAFETY. DOT/SHERIFF TAGGED CAR NEXT A.M. CALLED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS & WAS ADVISED TO TOW TO DEALER. I DID. HYUNDAI STATING OUTSIDE OF MILAGE ALLOWANCE & NOT COVERED. WHY IS THIS NOT A SAFETY RECALL? THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD! EVEN WHEN PARKED! FUEL LEAKS/ISSUES PUT THE PUBLIC AT RISK! NOT SAFE PARKING IN MY GARAGE/DRIVEWAY, PUBLIC/RESIDENTIAL STREETS, NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES/RETAIL PROPERTIES, LET ALONE DRIVING. WHAT IF A CIGARETTE IS TOSSED BY A PASSERBY, ROLLS UNDER A LEAKING FUEL TANK & LEADS TO FIRE, DAMAGES, INJURIES AND/OR DEATH(S) TO THOSE IN/AROUND VEHICLE? THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY! IT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD! MILEAGE SHOULDN'T MATTER (SEE LEXUS RECALL, JUNE 2018; CBS NEWS). CUST=SINGLE MOM & FT COLLEGE STUDENT=THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. PLEASE ADVISE.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2018-08-15 · NHTSA 11120216

2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, 180K MILES, 2ND OWNER. MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND. I CAN'T EVEN PARK MY VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE OR DRIVEWAY DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE WAS ONE THAT HAS HAD A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE FUEL TANK, WHICH IS 15 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. MY FUEL LIGHT WAS ON INDICATING MY FUEL LEVEL WAS LOW. I LIVE 15 MILES AWAY FROM THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER SO I WAS TAKING IT IN TO HAVE IT INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALER. I FILLED UP MY TANK WITH $7.00 OF GAS ($2.70/GAL). AFTER FUELING I GOT INTO MY CAR AND STARTED THE CAR. I NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE HAD NOT MOVED AFTER FUELING. I PROCEEDED TO FILL UP THE CAR UNTIL FULL. SINCE IT IS NOT SAFE BECAUSE I CAN SEE THE FILE LEAKING, I CANNOT PARK ON MY PROPERTY AND PARKED ON THE STREET, AS FAR AWAY FROM OTHER HOUSES. IT DID NOT FEEL SAFE ON A PUBLIC STREET, IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, JUST SITTING THERE BECAUSE THE POSSIBILITY OF IT CATCHING ON FIRE AND EXPLODING IN FLAMES. WHAT IF A DRIVER FLICKED OUT A CIGARETTE AND IT ROLLED UNDER MY VEHICLE, CATCHING IT AND ANYTHING AROUND IT ON FIRE? I ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER FILLING IT WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. WHILE DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOOSING POWER. I PULLED OFF ONTO THE NEAREST EXIT AND IT DIED, OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (ETC). CARS BEHIND ME WHERE HONKING DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND DECIDED TO TRY TO GET HOME AGAIN. VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN & DIED, THIS TIME NOT RESTARTING, EVEN AFTER SITTING 12 HOURS. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. HYUNDAI IS STATING I AM OUTSIDE OF THE MILES ALLOWANCE. WHY IS THIS NOT A MANDATORY RECALL? THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD' EVEN WHEN PARKED! TIME/MILEAGE SHOULDN'T MATTER. MANY OTHERS LIKE MINE.

SUSPENSION 2018-07-29 · NHTSA 11114351

CURRENTLY THERE IS A NOISE UP FRONT OF THE CAR AND IN THE REAR A FRIEND THAT WAS RIDING IN MY CAR INDICATED THAT IT MAY BE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT WITH HYUNDAI ABOUT A SUBFRAME RUST CORROSION ISSUE. THE NOISE HAS BECOME QUITE NOTICEABLE HE BELIEVES MIGHT CERTAINLY BE RELATED

AIR BAGS 2018-07-04 · NHTSA 11109520

THE AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON - I AM NOW ON MY THIRD REPAIR TO FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. I LIKELY NEED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS! SO COSTLY BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SO HOW CAN I NOT? THIS IS A KNOWN AND ONGOING ISSUE AND HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND COVER THIS DEFECT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS 2018-05-06 · NHTSA 11092100

AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON SO THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS? I REALLY DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE I NEVER RECEIVED A CAR FAX ON IT. THAT IS WHY I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. I KNOW THIS MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF THE MODULE HAVING TO BE REPLACED.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2018-05-04 · NHTSA 11091695

WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE TO THE HIGHEST RATE OF SPEED, ON IT'S OWN, AND I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP AN ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. THIS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, ALMOST FATALLY INJURING SEVERAL PEDESTRIANS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND IT WAS SO UNSAFE DUE TO THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM THEY WOULDN'T EVEN DRIVE IT ! I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER TWICE BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. $1,753.11 FOR A VEHICLE THAT WAS GARAGED AND ONLY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER. 53,567 MILES ON IT. FOR A PART THAT REGULATES YOUR SPEED? THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS IS REPORTED - THERE WAS A CASE IN JAPAN WHERE PEOPLE ACTUALLY DIED - AFTER GOING TO COURT THEY SAID IT WAS DRIVER ERROR - STEPPING ON THE GAS INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. I HIGHLY DOUBT IT NOW - THERE ARE MANY MORE CASES AND REPAIRS LIKE THIS ONE - SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO A LITTLE RESEARCH. I FOR ONE WOULD LIKE A LITTLE HELP - I'M 73 YEARS OLD AND BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW - IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF - THE DEALER HAS THE RECORDS.

STEERING,STRUCTURE 2018-04-15 · NHTSA 11085148

I WAS DRIVING AN I CAME YO A STOP AN BEGAN TO TURN UP A SIDE BLOCK WEN I HEARD SOMETHING LIKE IT WAS METAL IN MERSL SCRAPPING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AN HAD TO CALL MY MECHANIC TO COME SEE WHAT WAS THAT AWFUL NOISE HE LAYER SHOWD UP LIFTED MY CAR IN THE AIR WHICH HE FOUND A LOT OF CORROSION AN RUST AN MY LOWER ARM CONTROL AN SUB FRAME NEEDING TO BE REPLACED UNDERNEATH MY CAR THATS WHY MY STEERING WHEEL WAS FREEWHEELING

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2018-02-06 · NHTSA 11067165

CAR HAS CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END. MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE SUBFRAME BUSHINGS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE SUBFRAME AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING SUBFRAME. SAID CAR IS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION." THERE IS A RECALL IN "SALT-BELT" STATES. NOT SURE IT THEY CONSIDER UTAH A SALT-BELT STATE, BUT SALT IS USED HERE EXTENSIVELY IN THE WINTER.

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,WHEELS Crash 1 injured 2017-12-04 · NHTSA 11052199

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.

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,WHEELS Crash 1 injured 2017-12-04 · NHTSA 11052221

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.

ENGINE 2017-04-07 · NHTSA 10971095

ENGINE DIED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE IN OPERATION ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MILES PER HOUR AND ON HIWAY GOING APPROX. 60 MPH TWICE. WE NO LONGER DRIVE IT ON A HIWAY. REPAIR SHOP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

AIR BAGS 2017-02-17 · NHTSA 10955196

WAS DRIVING DOWN PENDLETON PIKE GOING SOUTH TURN ON 38TH STREET GOING WEST,THEIR WAS BIG LOUD POP I THOUGH I BLEW A TIRE OVER SEEN THE AIR BAG HAD EXPLODED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THIS HAPPENED ON 2/13/2017 MY NAME IS [XXX] EMAIL [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AIR BAGS 2017-02-15 · NHTSA 10954639

ON 2/13 2017 MY AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED, WHICH ALL AIR NO GOOD. CALL HYN DEALER TOLD ME 2500 DOLLARS TO FIX NO ACCIDENT JUST DRIVING. I THOUGHT I BLUE A TIRE AND IT WAS MY PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MY NAME IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 2017-01-13 · NHTSA 10945011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED IN ADDITION, THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 03/16/17*LJ *CN

SUSPENSION 2017-01-04 · NHTSA 10939621

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). WITHOUT WARNING, THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO ADDRESS THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

STRUCTURE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2016-12-31 · NHTSA 10938908

THE PAINT IS DETERIORATING, MY FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AND MY CAR WON'T START. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND STILL WON'T START. I ALSO HAVE A BREAK LEAK THAT I'VE TRIED TO FIX A FEW TIMES

AIR BAGS 2016-11-10 · NHTSA 10925414

NEVER HAD ACCIDENT AIR BAG LIGHT JUST CAME ON NO REASON JUST STARTED IT UP NOT MOVING.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2016-10-11 · NHTSA 10915327

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE AT A COMPLETED STOP, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING;, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

AIR BAGS 2016-06-24 · NHTSA 10876440

MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON. I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF HYUNDAI SANTA FE OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING A LITTLE AFTER REACHING 100K MILES.

STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES Crash 2016-06-16 · NHTSA 10874737

I WAS IN A MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED ON MY 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I COULD NOT STOP THE SUV AND RAN INTO A GUARDRAIL . I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR KILLED. THE DEALERSHIP IN BEAVER FALLS, PA HAS DONE NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN AND THEY SAID THAT MY MODEL IS NOT AFFECTED WHICH I FIND THAT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE. I AM SELLING THE CAR BUT I ALSO WANT TO LET SOMEONE KNOW THAT I AM TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IN THE MORNING TO GET THE COIL RECALLS DONE. IF THE DEALER DECIDES NOT TO DO THAT EITHER AND WITH THE AIR BAG PROBLEM SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR MAYBE KILLED DRIVING THIS CAR AND I JUST WANT TO DO MY PART AND I DO NOT WANT A LAW SUIT ON MY SHOULDERS. I WILL GIVE THEM ONE MORE CHANCE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I HAVE NOT DROVE THE CAR SINCE I HAD THE ACCIDENT AND WANT TO SELL IT AND TO DO SO I AM HAVING IT INSPECTED TOO. ALL THE WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME I HAD THE ACCIDENT ! I GUESS IT MUST BE TO EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND A LIFE DOES NOT MATTER ANYMORE TO ANYONE IN THIS SICK WORLD.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2016-06-03 · NHTSA 10872283

RANDOM UNINTENDED GRADUAL ACELLERATION. HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU RESUME CRUISE CONTROL TO A HIGHER SPEED. EXCEPT IT DOESN"T STOP AND CONTINUES ACELLERATING. THOUGH IT MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL AT ALL. PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL ONCE STOPS THE ACELLERATION. ALTHOUGH LAST TIME IT TOOK 2 TRIES. CAN LIVE WITH IT. SO FAR ANYWAY. BUT DON'T WANT TO SELL IT WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IS NO HELP. HAPPENS MAYBE 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK (100 MILES).

SUSPENSION 2016-04-26 · NHTSA 10861552

FRONT SUSPENSION RUSTING THROUGH - DISCOVERED BY MECHANIC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2016-04-18 · NHTSA 10860142

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS NOW. THIS NOW MAKES 3 YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AC CONDENSER. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE OIL COOLANT FILTER AND THE TWO PIPING THAT RUN IN BETWEEN THE OIL COOLANT FILTER AND THE AC CONDENSER CAUSES IT TO RUB AGAINST THE AC CONDENSER AND OVERTIME PUNCTURE IT AND PUT A HOLE THROUGH THE CONDENSER.

STRUCTURE 2016-03-07 · NHTSA 10840197

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE K-FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,995.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS Crash 1 injured 2016-02-12 · NHTSA 10825789

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A TRACTOR TRAILER COLLIDED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAINT THE CONTACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND SEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ UPDATED 03/22/16.*JB

Specifications, safety and listings for this car

Questions

What do owners report most on the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Problems with air bags: 11 reports of 40 on record at NHTSA.
How many owner reports mention a crash or a fire?
Out of 40 reports: a crash is mentioned in 5 and a fire in 0. These are what owners wrote, not confirmed findings.