2002 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 6%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE, 6% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“My car just stopped while driving the lights still worked as did the radio it then restarted after a few minutes....I changed the camshaft sensor and that seemed to fix it for a time then it started to happen again after a heavy rain...I love my car that I just got used but if it keeps doing this it is not safe for anyone on the road...please help”
NHTSA complaint #10515000, filed 2013-06, 89,000 miles“Was driving on highway and my 2.4l engine just stopped and it was towed home the timing belt is chewed up. From my understanding this is happening to a lot of these engines the 2.4l”
NHTSA complaint #11170497, filed 2019-01, 114,000 miles“When ever the under engine gets wet the car turns off and the brake light and oil lights come on. When it stops I can't turn the wheel and it locks up. I was driving on interstate in the rain and the car started jolting that the car was off then on then off then on again. I had no control of the car in the torrential rain going 60 miles an hour. Whenever it rains or if I go through a puddle of water this has happened again and again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10638991, filed 2014-09, 71,000 miles“On 6/17/14 my cars front right wheel fell off. I found two recalls on the internet for the front and rear suspension system. The car was towed/repaired for 782.00. In july 2014, Hyundai made an inspection of the work. I asked for reimbursement for the recall but was declined as not being within a campaign. Recently, the rear brakes, rotors, and caliper were replaced (for the second time). .afterward, a noise I heard became louder. On 8/11/16 the noise was diagnosed. It was found that new shocks were needed, and rear passenger lower control arm is starting to rot from rust and cause noise. …”
NHTSA complaint #10895479, filed 2016-08, 153,778 miles“The belt that runs the alternater has broken twice and continuously is squealing it wont keep speed when going up hill and wont let battery charge correctly to keep running will stop when it is being ran”
NHTSA complaint #11073415, filed 2018-02, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 14 | 10% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 35 | 17% |
| 2022 | 54 | 27% |
| 2021 | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 | 81 | 37% |
| 2019 | 73 | 36% |
| 2018 | 54 | 50% |
| 2017 | 650 | 67% |
| 2016 | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 | 161 | 63% |
| 2014 | 274 | 56% |
| 2013 | 273 | 45% |
| 2012 | 228 | 64% |
| 2011 | 64 | 35% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 60 | 17% |
| 2008 | 60 | 11% |
| 2007 | 54 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE
59 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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