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2003 HYUNDAI Santa Fe

4 recalls Risk Grade: C Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #04V131000 Plain English
Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
What Happened
Your vehicle's anti-lock braking system (ABS) control unit might not work properly when driving on wet roads at low speeds, causing a vibration and noise in the brakes.
Risk if Unfixed
If the ABS system is activated unnecessarily, it could lead to a longer stopping distance, which might result in a crash.
Free Fix
The dealership will update the ABS control unit at no cost to you, and you should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 to schedule the repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #14V435000 Plain English
Component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Company
What Happened
The coil spring in your front suspension is like a flexible metal rod that helps absorb bumps on the road. Over time, it can corrode and weaken in areas where roads are frequently treated with salt.
Risk if Unfixed
If the coil spring fails due to corrosion, it could puncture your tire, which could make it harder to control your vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your Hyundai dealer will inspect the coil spring and replace it with a new one, free of charge. You'll receive a notification letter with instructions on how to schedule the repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #09V123000 Plain English
Component

SUSPENSION:REAR

Manufacturer
Hyundai Motor Company
What Happened
The rear trailing arms in your Santa Fe are the parts that connect the wheels to the rest of the suspension. Over time, road salt in certain states can cause them to corrode, weakening them.
Risk if Unfixed
If the corrosion is left unchecked, the trailing arm could break while you're driving, which could cause your vehicle to swerve and increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your Hyundai dealer will inspect the rear trailing arms for damage, replace them if needed, and add protective measures to prevent future corrosion — all at no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Low Priority #03V520000 Plain English
Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Manufacturer
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
What Happened
The tire pressure labels on your vehicle are supposed to show the recommended tire pressure for safe driving, but the ones on your SUV don't meet the federal safety standards.
Risk if Unfixed
If you don't have the correct tire pressure information, you might not know the right pressure to use for your vehicle, which could lead to uneven tire wear and reduced traction.
Free Fix
Your Hyundai dealer will give you a new, compliant tire pressure label with installation instructions, and it's completely free. You should contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151 to schedule the repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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."
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

SUSPENSION
2 recalls
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 recall
EQUIPMENT
1 recall

Other HYUNDAI Santa Fe Years

2019
2 recalls
2018
2 recalls
2017
6 recalls
2016
3 recalls
2015
2 recalls
2014
3 recalls
2013
3 recalls
2012
1 recall
2011
3 recalls
2010
3 recalls
2009
3 recalls
2008
6 recalls
2007
9 recalls
2006
1 recall
2005
3 recalls
2004
3 recalls
2002
4 recalls
2001
4 recalls

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