2002 Hyundai SANTA FE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
165 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
105,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 127 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 165 complaints (24.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 23.6% |
| Steering behavior | 22 | 13.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 7.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 40 |
| Steering | 15 |
| Suspension:Rear | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
Suspension: 40; Steering: 15; Suspension:Rear: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 15; Engine: 10; Service Brakes: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 31 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 40 |
| 150,000 and above | 30 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 31; 100,000 to 149,999: 40; 150,000 and above: 30
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2004: 2; 2005: 9; 2006: 5; 2007: 7; 2008: 12; 2009: 14; 2010: 23; 2011: 12; 2012: 10; 2013: 8; 2014: 20; 2015: 14; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2018: 11; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10059893 · 2004-02-23 (February 23, 2004)
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ALARMING GRINDING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. GRINDING SOUND OF THE BRAKES OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON SNOW-COVERED ROADS. (NAR) *LA ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 30 MINUTES THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099938 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED THAT CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT ON RIGHT TIRE WERE BAD, PARTS WERE LOOSE AND NOT STATIONARY. *BF THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRE WERE BALD ON THE INSIDE DUE TO THE WAY THE ALIGNMENT HAD CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140753 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE HARMONIC BALANCE FELL OFF. SHE HEARD A LOUD CLUNG, AND THEN LOOKED INTO REARVIEW MIRROR. AT THAT TIME SHE SAW IT ROLLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SHE THEN PULLED OVER AND HER DAUGHTER TRIED TO PICK IT UP. THE PART WAS HOT, AND SHE BURNED HER FINGERS. THE PART WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE AND TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF WHY OR HOW THIS OCCURRED. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177081 · 2006-12-27 (December 27, 2006)
TL* - WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE ENGINE ON A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST THE POWER STEERING AN THE POWER BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS COLD AND THERE WAS LIGHT SNOW ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE INVOICE ONCE THE REPAIRS ARE DONE ON HIS VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231538 · 2008-06-18 (June 18, 2008)
WITH REGARDS THE TRANSMISSION OF THE SUV HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2002 AND IT HAS BEEN 4 WEEKS STILL ON THE DEALER SHOP AND NO EXTRA RENTAL CAR PROVIDED AFTER 4 WEEKS THAT'S BEEN,JUST WANTS TO FIND OUT IF IT PART OF THE RECALL VEHICLE. IF WE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING , WHO KNOWS COULD IT HAPPEN IF WE'RE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION START TO FALL OUT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THIS CONSIDER AS A RECALL, THANK YOU ... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10231538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277456 · 2009-07-20 (July 20, 2009)
2002 & 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TRANSMISSION CASE DEFECT: WE LIKED THE FIRST SO MUCH, WE BOUGHT A SECOND.... NO INDICATION OF MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL. REGARDING TRANSFER CASE ATTENTION OR MAINTENANCE WHICH VIOLENTLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DANGEROUSLY, ABRUPTLY STOP - RESULTING IN A DANGEROUS HIGHWAY SAFETY SITUATION AND PERSONAL INJURY. WE HAVE THE OLD TRANSFER CASE - WHICH LOOKS INSIDE, LIKE A TOSSED SALAD. WE PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT BY WESTERN AUTO - A MATTER THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REPORTED…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277456 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115617 · 2005-03-08 (March 8, 2005)
THE CONSUMER'S 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. *NM THE COMPANY HAS ANOTHER 2002 SANTA FE( VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER [VIN removed]) THAT HAS THE SAME UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER. NUMEROUS SERVICE HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137667 · 2005-09-26 (September 26, 2005)
DT: 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE - VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED AND UNDER ANY CONDITION. AS A RESULT VEHICLE LOST POWER. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART BACK UP, AND AT TIMES THE CONSUMER HAS TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART VEHICLE. THE CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE SIX CYLINDER ENGINES OF THE HYUNDAI SANTA FEE. BUT THIS VEHICLE, NOT A FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ASKED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY. *A…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10163892 · 2006-07-30 (July 30, 2006)
PURCHASED "NEW" IT TOOK OVER SIX HOURS TO DELIVER THE VEHICLE ON SITE. 1.)THE "SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED RETURNED TO JIM ELLIS; "NO CORRECTION" TO DATE. 2.)SEVERAL OTHER DEFECTS EXISTED: BATTERY FAILED LEAVING ME STRANDED AT LEAST TWICE, BRAKES WARE QUICKLY AND REPEATEDLY REQUIRE REPAIRS, HEATED SEATS ON AT "ALL" TIMES, THE TEMPERATURE REMAINS ON "CELSIUS" RATHER THAN ON THAN "FEREINHEIGHT" TEMPERATURES, CLOCK WON'T SET TO CURRENT MONTH,DATE, YEAR. 3.)THE 10 YEAR;100 MILE WARRANTY IS DISREGARDED/MINIMIZED; FROM 24,000 MILES. 4.) WHILE IN FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 24 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182606 · 2007-02-15 (February 15, 2007)
THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN HEAT IS RUNNING LIGHTS DIM. WHEN I ROLL UP WINDOWS, THE LIGHTS DIM. WHEN USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THE HEAT GETS COLDER. LITTLE THINGS THAT WEREN'T SO BAD AT FIRST. HEAT WOULD FAIL TO TURN ON OCCASIONALLY AND NOW WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. THIS IS CAUSING MY WINDOWS TO FROST WHILE DRIVING MAKING VISIBILITY VERY HARD. IF IT WEREN'T FOR ALL THE OTHER LITTLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I WOULD JUST THINK THE HEATING SYSTEM WENT BAD. BUT IT HAS BEEN A PATTERN IN EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL ON THIS CAR. A FEW TIMES I …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10182606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10325146 · 2010-04-12 (April 12, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE FIRST FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE DATE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE FAILURES WITH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE FILLER IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES CONTINUED TO OCCUR WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPA…
Owner-reported narrative. 92,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638313 · 2014-09-23 (September 23, 2014)
EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK IT TAKES 15 MINS TO FILL IT KEEPS COMING OUT THE FILLER TUBE ALL OVER THE CAR I HAVE SEEN OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10638313 at NHTSA ↗