2001 Hyundai Santa FE Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 209 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 128,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE, 9% of the 209 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,000 miles.
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“While driving my 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe I noticed that my vehicle would sway to the right and I had to compensate by steering the vehicle to the left. A preliminary inspection showed that I needed a wheel alignment and new tires due to the excessive wear to the tires caused by the vehicle not being aligned properly. The vehicle was brought to a local tire shop for tire replacement and wheel alignment. …”
NHTSA complaint #10251569, filed 2008-12, 155,000 miles“I had been driving the vehicle home and noticed the car was rubbing against the car. The subframe has rusted so much that I can't drive it. Had taken the vehicle to firestone. They said not to drive it and you should have it towed to our house. They said the tire would fall off or worse. They wouldn't touch it. So I had it towed to the Hyundai dealership. They told me that to replace the sub frame in the front on the driver's side, it would cost $2000. When I towed the vehicle to Hyundai, they said it could cost up to $5000. I couldn't afford to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11053798, filed 2017-12, 136,000 miles“My 2001 sante fe was making creaking noise by the passenger side rear tire. I made an appointment for it, but before the appointment I heard a loud thud and lost control of the vehicle. Fortunately I was only going 35 MPH and was able to skid into a driveway. The rear control arm snapped off due to an excessive amount of rust. The other side is almost rusted through. The repair shop had never seen anything like it before.”
NHTSA complaint #10237092, filed 2008-08, 119,000 miles“After driving over a pot hole the vehicle continued to pull to the right as it was driven. The next day I took it to a repair shop for wheel alignment. The shop said they could not repair it as there was a fist size hole in the frame where it had rusted through where the control attaches to the frame. While researching the internet I learned of many similar defects reported to NHTSA I believe some Hyundai models share the frame.”
NHTSA complaint #10241989, filed 2008-09, 78,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10235566Apr 24, 2023Hyundai 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…
- 10022202Jun 1, 2007Tailgate garnish contacts the tailgate. Procedures to repair if contact has occured.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 5 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 3% |
| 2022 | 6 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 9 | 4% |
| 2019 | 14 | 7% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 3% |
| 2015 | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 | 20 | 4% |
| 2013 | 23 | 4% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% |
| 2009 | 14 | 4% |
| 2008 | 20 | 4% |
| 2007 | 18 | 3% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 12 | 4% |
| 2003 | 30 | 10% |
| 2002 | 17 | 10% |
| 2001 | 19 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2001 Hyundai Santa FE
76 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSteering
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 29, 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