Model year
2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 308 complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION (45), AIR BAGS (31), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (25). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 17–20 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,350–$3,950, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 209 complaints
- 2002 165 complaints
- 2003 308 complaints
- 2004 303 complaints
- 2005 216 complaints
- 2006 106 complaints
- 2007 684 complaints
- 2008 541 complaints
- 2009 359 complaints
- 2010 260 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 355 complaints
- 2013 605 complaints
- 2014 493 complaints
- 2015 255 complaints
- 2016 236 complaints
- 2017 970 complaints
- 2018 109 complaints
- 2019 203 complaints
- 2020 217 complaints
- 2021 167 complaints
- 2022 201 complaints
- 2023 211 complaints
- 2024 155 complaints
- 2025 135 complaints
- 2026 37 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
14V435000 · Jul 18, 2014
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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 Âsalt belt" states and…
09V123000 · Apr 16, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
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,…
04V131000 · Mar 16, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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…
03V520000 · Dec 18, 2003
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
Complaints
308 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 26, fire flag on 5, injury field 20, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA08023 | REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE · SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:REAR | Oct 28, 2008 | Apr 17, 2009 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe 2WD · 2.4L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Santa Fe 2WD · 2.4L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Santa Fe 2WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Santa Fe 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Santa Fe 4WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Santa Fe 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.