10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,392 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #9

Feb 112011

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 163,500 miles

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

I recently bought a used Hyundai sante fe (2002). I'm still on my first tank of gas and twice now I have experienced sudden acceleration. Both times I was pulling up to a stoplight and going very slow when all of a sudden the engine began to race and the vehicle lurched forward. Fortunately I was able to stop it both times but this is a real problem.

- Weaverville, NC, USA

problem #8

Jun 072010

Santa Fe

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The tachometer read zero and the vehicle violently jerked and then restarted itself. The failure would occur intermittently and often times, the check engine light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where he was informed that the crankshaft position sensor had failed and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer advised there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 132,000.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #7

Sep 282009

Santa Fe

  • 78,000 miles
Started my car, it didnt feel right, pulled out of my driveway and started to drive when the car started to stall but didnt and between 1 St and 2 nd gear the car was jerking. I pulled over shut car off and try it again, same thing. I drove for a few blocks seem to drive better after 2nd gear. So I drove it to the dealer to have it checked out. The check engine light was on. I was told there was a recall on the 2002 Santa Fe regarding the crankshaft position sensor which would cause a engine stall and the sensor would need to be replaced. But I was told that my 2002 Santa Fe did not make the recall list. Why wont they fix the problem that was recalled ? but they will fix it if I pay for it.

- South Amboy, NJ, USA

problem #6

Feb 112008

Santa Fe

  • 112,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact noticed that the vehicle drove abnormally rough and the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. On one occasion, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted immediately. She took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions, but they were unable to successfully identify the cause of the failure and provide a sufficient remedy. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 112,000 and current mileage was 118,000.

- Fort Drum, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 302008

Santa Fe

  • miles
There were no events leading up to the failure. It was sudden, and caused complete shut down of the engine on a busy highway during a busy time of day. We were told by Hyundai that the 6 cylinder has a recall against the crankshaft position sensor, but the 4 cylinder which we own don't have the recall, yet the same part failed causing the same engine shutdown. I see the 6 cylinder recall on you website. So far, as of the time of writing this email and a week of the car in the Hyundai dealership, there has been no repair, and my mom is still without a car. They are making her pay the labor charge for the repair, and continue with excuses as to why the car hasn't been fixed yet.

- East Greenbush, NY, USA

problem #4

May 312008

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
My 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe stalled in the middle of traffic several times. I took it to the dealership and explained what happened. They called me and said I have a bad crankshaft positioning sensor. I noticed that there was a recall for 2002 Santa Fe for this same problem. But when I told them that, they responded with my VIN # not being attached to a recall. I am very upset about this. I feel this is a huge safety concern, what if something bad happened during traffic when my car stalled. The company should warranty this issue, but they won't.

- Millbrook, AL, USA

problem #3

Aug 152002

Santa Fe 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24 miles

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

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

problem #2

Aug 152005

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact stated while driving the harmonic balance fell off. She heard a loud clung, and then looked into rearview mirror. At that time she saw it rolling in the middle of the road. She then pulled over and her daughter tried to pick it up. The part was hot, and she burned her fingers. The part was put in the vehicle and taken to the dealership where she purchased it. When this happened the steering malfunctioned. The Hyundai dealership was contacted to get the replacement part. They were unaware of why or how this occurred.

- Madison , WI, USA

problem #1

Sep 122005

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
2002 Hyundai Santa Fe - vehicle stalled while driving any speed and under any condition. As a result vehicle lost power. Sometimes the vehicle will restart back up, and at times the consumer has to wait a few minutes to restart vehicle. The car is at dealership for repairs. They said the problem was crank shaft sensor. A recall was issued on the six cylinder engines of the Hyundai santa fee. But this vehicle, not a four cylinder engine was not included in the recall, asked the manufacturer, and they said they did not know why.

- Julius Town, NJ, USA

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