2001 Hyundai Santa FE: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 209 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The suv stalls while driving. This has happened multiple time. While driving, driving slow, taking a u turn. The battery, alternator, starter, power steering pump, water pump, rack and pinion, timing belt, serpentine belt, idler pulley, harmonic balancer, front axles, shocks, struts, some sensors, spark plugs/wires, gaskets, and many other parts are replaced in the last year. Don't know what is wrong but it is scary when it stalls suddenly.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2022
“For the past month, car has problems starting. Usually, it does not start for the first time or it has a slow start. In addition, there's an occurrence that it did not start at all, which had to be towed to the dealer where in they reprogrammed the module. Will wait and check if this fixes the problem because the car starts slowly that morning. *la”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
“There's a reall on this vehicle that I just purchased the description says: front coil spring protector installation how can this issue be resolved? This issue should been taking care of and reported to you guys but obviously it hasn't. So I need to know is it still available to be free of charge or do I have to come out of pocket to get this repaired? Or can I still go to a hyandai dealer for free repairs? I'm not sure of the notification date. So in the box below I'll put this year and date”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2020
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“I have been hearing a clanking sound since I have bought the vehicle used mid november 2019 . The sound seems to be coming from the back passanger side wheel area it appears to be getting worse and feels like the back passanger side wheel is about to fall off anytime the vehicle is in motion .and looks very rusted out”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2019
“When getting gas, the pump always 'clicks off' when im pumping gas. Does not matter how full. The only way to ensure a full tank is to continue pumping until gas comes out the top of the filler neck. This usually means overriding as many as 50 pump 'click offs'. I have seen other santa fe owners complaining about the same problem obviously this is a manufacturing flaw & needs to be fixed. This method of getting a full tank is not desirable and what's the point of having a 17 gallon gas tank if it takes 45minutes to fill up. Thank you.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2019
“Drivers side lower control arm rusted out it has 2 recalls on it but not the control arm why if the trailing arms are rusted it should be added to???????? Started making noise no warning while driveing 55 mph happened on 8/23/2019”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2019
“Gas pump problem keeps clicking and I've replace many party but still like its full of gas but I be on empty.car also jerks like I've been rear ended while driving like it has transmission problems and I've replace transmission 2 times. Gears only work manual it's like the car has a mind of its own .also my tire flew off my car on the back and had to take to dealer ship and they was saying it's some problem they can't help .”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 hyundai santa fe. While driving approximately 2 mph, the rear driver side wheel leaned inward into the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed that the rear coil spring of the suspension was rusted and corroded. Friendship honda in johnson city, tenessee was made aware of the failures and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 108,000. *tt johnson city hyundai repaired for free. Traded it in 12/29/17. Updated 8/14/18*jb”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2017
“Rear driver side spring rusted out causing tire to lean into car. Only backing out of drive way at 2 mph. Why was only recall sent to so called "salt states"? I live in tennessee and salt is used on roads in winter.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2017
“I had been driving the vehicle home and noticed the car was rubbing against the car. The subframe has rusted so much that I can't drive it. Had taken the vehicle to firestone. They said not to drive it and you should have it towed to our house. They said the tire would fall off or worse. They wouldn't touch it. So I had it towed to the hyundai dealership. They told me that to replace the sub frame in the front on the driver's side, it would cost $2000. When I towed the vehicle to hyundai, they said it could cost up to $5000. I couldn't afford to fix it. I then towed it home and it is sitting in my garage. I wish I would have know about this problem before I bought.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Santa FE by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
NHTSA has 209 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE. The most complained-about area is suspension (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Santa FE problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 104,785 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:springs:coil springs. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.