Representative model. Photo: Harvey Bold, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 308
Latest campaign: Jul 18, 2014

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Suspension	2	Jul 18, 2014	14V435000 09V123000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	Mar 16, 2004	04V131000
Equipment	1	Dec 18, 2003	03V520000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 18, 2014Latest campaign


Jul 18, 201414V435000	Suspension: front springs If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of… DetailsHide details for campaign 14V435000 What's wrong 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. Risk If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V435000 · Jul 18, 2014
Apr 16, 200909V123000	Suspension: rear IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 09V123000 What's wrong 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. Risk IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. 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. Campaign NHTSA 09V123000 · Apr 16, 2009
Mar 16, 200404V131000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V131000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE. Risk IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151. Campaign NHTSA 04V131000 · Mar 16, 2004
Dec 18, 200303V520000	Equipment: other labels THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD. DetailsHide details for campaign 03V520000 What's wrong 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." Risk THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD. 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. Campaign NHTSA 03V520000 · Dec 18, 2003

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Hyundai recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component308

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

308Complaints filed

26Involving a crash

5Involving a fire

20Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Suspension	56	18	0	0	0
Service brakes	42	14	7	0	2
Air bags	42	14	14	1	16
Power train	35	11	0	0	0
Hydraulic	31	10	6	0	2
Structure	30	10	2	0	4
Electrical system	28	9	1	4	0
Vehicle speed control	24	8	5	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	21	7	0	1	0
Steering	17	6	1	0	0
Visibility	17	6	0	0	1
Wheels	13	4	3	0	2
Fuel system	11	4	0	0	0
Unknown or other	9	3	0	0	0
Seat belts	9	3	1	0	1

13 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Service brakes
“The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the ABS system activated, and there was an abnormal shuddering in the brake pedal.”
Filed 11/01/2024 · ODI 11623194
Steering
“The driver's side rear trailing arm lower broke again. Was driving all of a sudden felt it start fishtailing and pulled over and thank God I didn't crash”
Filed 05/17/2024 · ODI 11589298
Engine
“Bought a set of duralast gold wrists a801116 asks since the day i put them in i had to replace parts whole charging a problem that turned out to be from the wires.”
Filed 03/26/2023 · ODI 11513824

Other Hyundai Santa Fe model years

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Other Hyundai models

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recent, 14V435000 (reported July 18, 2014), concerns suspension. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls for?

The largest group is suspension, with 2 campaigns. Others: service brakes, hydraulic (1), equipment (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Suspension is the most-reported component, named in 56 complaints out of 308 filed with NHTSA (18%). Across all complaints, owners reported 26 crashs and 5 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Hyundai recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Hyundai dealer.

Check a specific Hyundai by VIN

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