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2002 Hyundai Santa Fe: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, most recently filed July 2014. Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 4campaigns 2 suspension · 1 equipment · 1 electrical Source: NHTSA Complaints 165filed Owner reports, 2001–2010 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 20mpg combined $3,266/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· 4-speed automatic 4 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V435000 Filed Jul 18, 2014

Front Coil Spring Corrosion

Suspension · front · springs · coil springs
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
28.4% repairedof 271,773 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V435000
Listed for 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 09V123000 Filed Apr 16, 2009

REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported83,355 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 09V123000
Listed for 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V520000 Filed Dec 18, 2003

HYUNDAI/FMVSS 120/TIRE PRESSURE LABEL

Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported249,309 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V520000
Listed for 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V030000 Filed Jan 2, 2003

HYUNDAI/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

Electrical system · starter assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINES, IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS (CPS) WERE INSTALLED. THE CPS CASES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR.
Consequence
A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-829-9956.
Repair progress not yet reported25,643 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V030000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Santa Fe years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Hyundai Santa FeAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (165)

165 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.

9involved a crash
2involved a fire
6injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 165.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2002 compares with other Santa Fe years

Best and worst Santa Fe years →
209 165 308 303 216 106 683 541 358 259
2001200220032004200520062007200820092010
This year (2002)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined

20
mpg combined
17
city
24
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,350
CO₂ tailpipe
444 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,266per year
$272per month
750gallons a year

Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20$3,350444
2.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 23 / 19$3,550468
2.7 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2002 Santa Fe for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Santa Fe years

Where to next

Which Santa Fe years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2003 Hyundai Santa Fe report308 complaints · 4 campaigns →2001 Hyundai Santa Fe report209 complaints · 4 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe FAQ

How many recalls does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 14V435000 (suspension), 09V123000 (suspension), 03V520000 (equipment), 03V030000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Owners filed 165 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (59), Service brakes (21), Structure (17) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 24 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2002 Santa Fe compare with other years?

Among the 2001–2010 Hyundai Santa Fe model years at least five years old, the 2006 drew the fewest complaints (106) and the 2007 the most (683). The 2002 drew 165. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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