10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
124,772 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #9

Mar 012019

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
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

- Dover, NH, USA

problem #8

Dec 182018

Santa Fe

  • 173,079 miles
I can hear a strong rubbing against the tire when I come to slow down and stop

- Ewing, NJ, USA

problem #7

Nov 012018

Santa Fe

  • 100,000 miles
"takata recall" my driver side front wheel feels like it's gonna fall off all the lug nuts are tight

- Goshen, OH, USA

problem #6

Dec 032017

Santa Fe

  • 165,000 miles
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.

- Taylorville, IL, USA

problem #5

Dec 032017

Santa Fe

  • 165,000 miles
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.

- Taylorville, IL, USA

problem #4

Dec 082015

Santa Fe

  • 193,574 miles
Was backing out of driveway at my daughter's, I was on a side road with no traffic. A large bang and the tire popped. When I had a mechanic come look at it, he said the spring had broke and went into the tire of the front passenger side. The vehicle is still in her driveway. I have owned vehicle for about 6 years and never received a recall notice. I was looking up cost and found the recall. I am so glad this was not while I was driving or had my grandkids in the car.

- Newport, VT, USA

problem #3

Jul 192014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 126,976 miles
Just had an oil change done to vehicle on 7/15/2014 during the week driving to work Friday 7/18/2014 I lost some of my steering the tires squeak on the turns underneath on the right side frame rotted at the stabilizer, bolts.pictures taken..

- East Haven, CT, USA

problem #2

Apr 052005

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,117 miles
On 4/05/2005 while driving on South Florida expressway the right front wheel of my 2003 Hyundai sante fe gl 4D came off. Prior to the wheel coming off the only warning I recieved was a sudden vibration. I was traveling about 55 - 60 mph, fortunately I was able to control the vehicle and came to a stop on the right shoulder. I notified the police, obtained a police report and had the vehicle towed to my home. I notified the Hyundai Corp, and told them of my incident. I was given file reference # 906136. I was later contacted by Hyundai Corp and was told this was not a warranty claim item (but was never given a reason). The vehicle was purchased on Jan 22, 2005, I put a little over 3000 miles on it. I never had any work done to the vehicle, not even changed a tire/flat. I feel this is unfair since my insurance company and I had to pay for the damages. Please advise what if anything I can do. The police and the tow truck driver both were surprised I was not killed or even hurt. I was very lucky. Thank you sincerley, wilfredo cruz.

- Homestead, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 122005

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,200 miles
The vehicle hit a pot hole, while driving 55-56 mph. The condition causes the left rear alloy wheel to split in half and damages the emergency parking cable. The dealer was notified.

- Warren, NJ, USA