2001 Hyundai Santa FE Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 6%of 209 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE, 6% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Subframe/engine cradle rot to point of separation, loss of steering and vehicle control. My newly licensed grand-daughter took it for a short about town drive, not getting more than a quarter mile before the wheel snapped out of her hands and the vehicle headed for the center line. She managed to get it to the side of the road. Both front wheels were in different directions, movement forward was sloppy. Aweful noises coming from below. Fluids leaking. I knew there was rust underneath but not such greatly weakened parts. Img_6087.jpg”
NHTSA complaint #10939003, filed 2017-01, 130,000 miles“I had failure of the rear trailing arm on my 2001 Santa Fe. On the highway in the rain. I have yet to be notified of this recall by the Hyundai corporation. Why? This recall is 6 months old and this is the first I hear about it. How many others don't know? This company has been slow to respond.”
NHTSA complaint #10289206, filed 2009-10, 89,000 miles“This vehicle is an all wheel drive . The vehicle's transmission unevenly distributes power at around 35-40 MPH - causing the vehicle to pull dangerously to the right. This jerk of power to the right occasionally causes me to almost swerve out of my lane of traffic!!”
NHTSA complaint #10098688, filed 2004-11, 68,000 miles“I bought this car used from car mart less than a year ago.first my steering was very shaky. It got rapidly worse. I went through 3 sets of new tires in one year plus 2 alignments. I recently had trouble again and my car is in the Hyundai dealership in fayetteville. First the bearings were rusted in. Both ball joints were nearly out. The control arm is going out. The steering linkage and the cradle above the driveline is rusted and falling apart literally. The exhaust system the cadillac converter is rusted apart for the third time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10286704, filed 2009-10, 106,000 miles“Driving on expressway plastic garbage bag flew under car catching on power steering lines which broke due to rust corrosion. Only one line broke but replaced both lines as precaution. Hard to have the car towed. Total cost $444.07 ( 277.15 parts + 166.92 labor- aaa membership). Michigan winters!”
NHTSA complaint #10435432, filed 2011-11, 87,749 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 5 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 8 | 7% |
| 2017 | 27 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 52 | 11% |
| 2013 | 95 | 16% |
| 2012 | 16 | 5% |
| 2011 | 20 | 11% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 5% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 38 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% |
| 2002 | 16 | 10% |
| 2001 | 13 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE
76 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsEquipment
7 complaintsWheels
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 31, 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