10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,454 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.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Dec 102003

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,019 miles

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

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Driver was not able to restart vehicle, and had it towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced, and replace it. However, the problem recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection. Then, mechanic replaced the engine compartment relay, fuel sensor assembly, and the computer module. Consumer stated there has been 6 incidents/failures that are causing serious concerns with starting and stalling. It became more frequent and started happening while driving Santa Fe on roads and highway. Consumer have confidence in the vehicle and fear of it stalling in the center lane where there is little options except getting hit and possible getting seriously injured.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #4

Nov 052004

Santa Fe 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles
On November 5, 2004 at approx 7:30 pm our 2003 Santa Fe with only approx 14,000 miles suddenly "died" in the middle of the road. All of the vehicle warning lights came on, the heater and radio began making strange noises, the headlamps failed, and the vehicle engine stopped running and would not start, leaving the vehicle in the middle of the road, stranding me and my pregnant wife, with no lights or flashers in the middle of the road on a cold night. Hyunadai roadside service contractor cross country motorclub claimed that it would take over 3 hours to get the vehicle towed, so finally 9 after nearly 2 hours) county police towed the vehicle as a traffic hazard to fairfax Hyundai.

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #3

Sep 062004

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The rear driver side door does not always unlock with the remote. The dealer and Hyundai refuse to give me a loaner so I can bring the vehicle back a ninth (9th) time to have it inspected for this and many other concerns so I am unable to have the concern addressed.

- Riverview, MI, USA

problem #2

Aug 012004

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
Santa Fe has problems with the location of the gas pedal and the brake pedal and the sonata has problems with the engine operation. The consumer experienced problems with the Santa Fe (SUV) VIN#[xxx] and a sonata gls VIN#[xxx]. these were both new vehicles. The sante fe displayed extended stopping distance and the vehicle surged forward intermittently. The brake pedal and accelerator pedal were similar in height. The sonata gls displayed problems, the first to second month with a backfire and or explosive noise upon the starting the vehicle. The vehicle would stumble when speeding, and felt as if the A/C compressor was turned on. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #1

Jul 092004

Santa Fe 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Right after I purchased my Santa Fe in March of 2003, at random times my car bucked when the car went over 40 and then when it went over 60. The jerk is strong enough to throw the driver and passengers forward and backward. When I informed the dealer, they said the computer system just needed to get use to the way I drive. As the problem became more frequent and I became more worried, I continued to inform the dealer. I was told that Hyundai was aware of the problem;however, the techs had not been authorized to fix the problem. In early June of 2004, I finally was listened to by the manager of the dealership and Korean techs had just been in reflashing computers on other sante fe vehicles, trying to fix the problem. I was told that this was the answer. The computer system in my car was replaced with a reflashed computer, and I didn't have any problems for two weeks. On July 9th, the problem began again.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

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