1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,750 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.

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problem #4

Nov 102009

Santa Fe

  • 215,000 miles
As I was backing up the 2001 Santa Fe SUV at my parents drive way, I heard a loud thump. I thought I went over a bike or something else, and got out of the car to look. The left front tire was caved inward, and a metal part was broken and hanging down. The car was not drivable in this condition, and a tow truck had to come to our home and load the car onto a flatbed. After discovering there were numerous cases of 2001 Santa Fe control arms rusting out, I decided to file an NHTSA complaint. I am very grateful that this did not happen as I was driving at a high speed. It is my opinion that Hyundai should take responsibility for the poor design of the control arm. Furthermore, in the past two weeks, I have discovered that the left control arm is showing the same signs of rust that caused the failure of the right control arm. It will soon need to be replaced, which will be expensive. I feel it should be part of a safety recall.

- Neosho , MO, USA

problem #3

Sep 152009

Santa Fe

  • 106,000 miles
I bought this car used from car mart less than a year ago.first my steering was very shaky. It got rapidly worse. I went through 3 sets of new tires in one year plus 2 alignments. I recently had trouble again and my car is in the Hyundai dealership in fayetteville. First the bearings were rusted in. Both ball joints were nearly out. The control arm is going out. The steering linkage and the cradle above the driveline is rusted and falling apart literally. The exhaust system the Cadillac converter is rusted apart for the third time. The spare tire holder was rusted closed and had to be broke off to get my spare out. Also the rear seat belt just stopped working. Talk about a bad day.

- Huntsville, AR, USA

problem #2

Jan 082009

Santa Fe

  • 74,000 miles
Rusting of lower sub-frame on a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. Cause steering problems leading vehicle to be undrivable.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 032003

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Noise in front suspension. We have gone 3 time in less than a year for service and the noise keep coming back. They change many parts but they have not fix the problem. We do not feel safe any moore in the car. I have call different places but all they tell me take it back for repairs, how many times do I have to take it back? or they are just waiting for us to have an accident to do something. I need help. Thank you.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA