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Engine coolingPart report

2001 Hyundai Santa FE Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
33about this part
Share
16%of 209 total for the year
Median mileage
61,755miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE, 16% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,755 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Crankshaft sensor failed on my 2001 4 cylinder Hyundai Santa Fe. The car suddenly stalled and would not restart. I was driving on busy street in the winter evening and, at the time, was on crutches and unable to navigate on foot. I waited in 20 degree weather for about 45 minutes until a police person rescued me.”

NHTSA complaint #10233333, filed 2008-07, 89,000 miles

“My 01 Hyundai Santa Fe downshifts while on the highway with a loud pop and decelerates the vehicle substantially causing a traffic/safety hazard. This is corrected momentarily when I stop and restart the engine as if it resets something, then of course when I get back on the highway it does it all over again. Other 01 Santa Fe owners suffer the same dangerous circumstances. Why not recall the vehicle to correct this issue? This is an accident waiting to happen.”

NHTSA complaint #10278554, filed 2009-07, 143,084 miles

“While driving at 30mph (2001 Santa Fe), I felt a big jerk which I never felt it before with this car. After that I made a right turn and my car suddenly stopped and check engine light comes on. When I re-started the car, it started fine.”

NHTSA complaint #10236585, filed 2008-07, 70,000 miles

“On may 7th my car was towed into the maxon dealership with complaints of clunking noise under the hood and lost of power. The service on my vehicle was completed on may 9th. I was told that I needed to replace my driver belts and a computerized problem was the cause of power. On may 28th (memorial day weekend) while coming home from virginia I suddenly lost steering power on interstate 95 in maryland. I had my three children in the car along with my cousin and her daughter. We were all very scared! My car was then towed to the Hyundai dealership in laurel, md. …”

NHTSA complaint #10158626, filed 2006-05, 58,000 miles

“On june 12th the vehicle started to rattle and proceeded to shake. The vehicle would not accelerate but instead decelerated on 695 towards towson. The vehicle was drifting at 25 MPH. I then proceeded to the nearest exit which was bel air road. I proceeded onto this exit when my vehicle shut off losing all power. At this time my dashboard lights were on. I had no power but my vehicle was still in gear and I safely stopped my vehicle in a shopping plaza. Engine failure new engine placed into my vehicle july 5th the vehicle was taken back to thompson Hyundai by my father. …”

NHTSA complaint #10068495, filed 2004-05, 60,510 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202411%
202331%
202073%
201921%
201833%
2017232%
201642%
201510%
201431%
201361%
201262%
201184%
201093%
200972%
2008102%
2007193%
200655%
200573%
2004227%
2003217%
2002148%
20013316%

Other parts of the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE

Suspension
76 complaints
Electrical system
35 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Equipment
7 complaints
Wheels
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology