AutoDefect IQ

2001 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (32) · Suspension:rear (29) · Vehicle Speed Control (9)

🧭 Reliability snapshot

97 /100
✓ Typical or better for this model

Compared against other Hyundai Santa Fe model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →

🛣️ Complaints by mileage

<25k miles: 11 complaints <25k 25–50k miles: 9 complaints 25–50k 50–75k miles: 22 complaints 50–75k 75–100k miles: 20 complaints 75–100k 100–125k miles: 27 complaints 27 100–125k 125–150k miles: 20 complaints 125–150k 150k+ miles: 21 complaints 150k+

130 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.

209
Complaints
1
Recalls
135
Service bulletins
4
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Deaths

Safety recalls (1)

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs 2014-07-18 · campaign 14V435000 · 271,773 vehicles

Defect: 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 Vi

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.

Fix: 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.

Service bulletins (135)

Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.

Exterior Lighting 2025-11-06 · 25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (drl), or fog lamp. this tsb illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. lamp assembly replacement is not necessary

Visibility/Wiper 2024-02-14 · 24-BD-001H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. if the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, w

Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-10-13 · 23-EM-005H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.

Structure:body 2023-04-24 · 23-BD-007H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

hyundai applies a paint protection film (ppf) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. it provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. in rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the ppf. these spots are the result of moist

Visibility 2023-01-30 · 23-BD-002H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (drl), or fog lamp. this tsb illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. lamp assembly replacement is not necessary

Engine And Engine Cooling 2022-07-28 · 22-EM-010H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

follow the guidelines outlined in this bulletin to inspect and clean or replace certain components of the engine intake system accordingly during engine short block or sub-assembly replacement.

Showing the 6 most recent of 135 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

No detailed complaint narratives on file.

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years