NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD; the most frequently affected component is suspension — coil springs. Owners filed 171 complaints, most often about suspension. Among the 14 model years of this model in the database, 2002 ranks #4 for number of recalls.
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Suspension — RearCampaign 09V123000 · 16 Apr 2009
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Equipment — LabelsCampaign 03V520000 · 18 Dec 2003
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Electrical system — Starter assemblyCampaign 03V030000 · 02 Jan 2003
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Suspension21 · 52%
Engine6 · 15%
Service brakes5 · 12%
Wheels4 · 10%
Unknown or other4 · 10%
Vehicle speed control3 · 8%
Structure3 · 8%
Steering3 · 8%
When complaints were filed
201511
20163
20174
201811
20194
20203
20213
20231
From owner complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai santa fe. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v435000 (suspension) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai santa fe. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. Fox ann arbor hyundai (located at 3975 jackson rd, ann arbor, mi…
My 2002 hyundai santa fe is sharply jerking to the right its almost impossible to stop it sounds as if the car if going to fall into peices im a disabled mom with one one the way i can't drive for fear im going to lose the wheel and crash
My 2002 2.7 santa fe reved way up spontaneously tonight. I banged gas pedal repeatedly with foot but did nothing. As i approached stoplight brakes would hardly stop the car; shifted to neutral, rpms went way up and i turned off car. Continued my 1 mile trip home and engine would by itself rev down only to immediately…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.