2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,146 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe:

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

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #7

Feb 082018

Santa Fe

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. While stationary and driving various high speeds, the vehicle shook and stalled without warning. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the alternator failed. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #6

Feb 272015

Santa Fe

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle staled without warning. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The failure recurred six times. The contact experienced the same failure mentioned under NHTSA campaign number: 03V030000 (electrical system) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #5

Jun 122013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 71,000 miles
When ever the under engine gets wet the car turns off and the brake light and oil lights come on. When it stops I can't turn the wheel and it locks up. I was driving on interstate in the rain and the car started jolting that the car was off then on then off then on again. I had no control of the car in the torrential rain going 60 miles an hour. Whenever it rains or if I go through a puddle of water this has happened again and again. When I took it to the auto dealer that I bought the car from, I was told that normally there is an engine undercover but there is not one on my car nor was there ever one put on by the manufacturer. Having no engine undercover causes the car to stall out whenever water is splashed up onto the engine. This causes the belt to ajar and that stops electrical from flowing to the car and therefore it stalls out at very dangerous times; like driving in traffic or driving on the interstate. No engine undercover is available and therefore the problem can not be fixed. What do I do about this dangerous behavior of the car??

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 032013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe V6 will either not start, stall when moving or run extremely rough. The problem is more noticeable when it is raining or humid out. We are the original owner of the Santa Fe and have maintained the vehicle. This has been a recurring problem for the past eight years. The issues comes and go but have been more constant over the past four years. In the past, I have replaced the battery and had a tune up performed by the lester glenn Hyundai dealership. I bought the Santa Fe in service several times for this problem to be told they can not find the problem. On our last visit to the dealership they believed it was due to old spark plug wires. The tune up did not resolve the issue at all. As I researched the problem and became aware of Hyundai recall 049 which replaces the crankshaft position sensor. I spoke to Hyundai and they explained my vehicle was not part of the recall due to its production date. However, the problems I am experiencing is exactly identical to the problem specified in the recall. Hyundai needs to expand the perimeters of the recall to resolve this problem.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #3

Dec 012008

Santa Fe

  • 92,000 miles
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 repair expense. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Saint Johns Barry Center, VT, USA

problem #2

Feb 142007

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 would go to start the car and it would not start. If I turned everything off then it would start. Thought maybe was bad battery until I got a new one and it still wouldn't start. I had the new battery tested and it was ok. I believe it is another electrical issue.

- Ada, OH, USA

problem #1

Aug 152002

Santa Fe 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24 miles
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 for defect review; the car has been returned to me from 2 dealerships with "dings" up and down the side; dents on corners(physical damage). In addition repairs weren't made and managers looked the "other way" and failed to return calls or respond to letters. Also the "check engine" light became a new issue and defect initiated the evening the vehicle was returned home. Was told to anticipate engine trouble to be initiated in the near future despite the oil change date being within limits. Was told that excessive oil existed and blamed me. Then demanded I pay several hundred dollars "before" they'd release car to me.(needed for work). Mgrs were defensive and shut down regarding information. 5.)the "recalls" aren't recognized or corrected on 1st,2nd, or 3rd request-I'm told by the dealership they don't have the computer to do it.

- Sugarhill, GA, USA

Not what you are looking for?