NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD; the most frequently affected component is suspension — coil springs. Owners filed 308 complaints, most often about air bags. Among the 14 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #5 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic — Control unit/moduleCampaign 04V131000 · 16 Mar 2004
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.5 liter v-6 engines, 4-wheel drive and antilock braking systems (abs), if the brake pedal is depressed at speeds between 3 and 12 mph when the brake pad friction surfaces are wet, a vibration may occur between the brake discs and pads causing abs sensor electronic signal noise to develop. At speeds below 5 mph, the abs sensor signal noise may cause the abs electronic control unit (ecu) to activate the abs, extending the stopping distance.
Risk: If an extended stopping distance occurs, it could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the abs ecu. Owner notification began on march 24, 2004. Owners should contact hyundai 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.
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.
Air bags11 · 28%
Suspension10 · 25%
Structure9 · 22%
Wheels6 · 15%
Steering4 · 10%
Unknown or other4 · 10%
Fuel/propulsion system3 · 8%
Service brakes3 · 8%
When complaints were filed
201610
20177
201810
20196
20203
20211
20231
20242
From owner complaints
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
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…
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…
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…
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.