2002 Hyundai Santa FE Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 36%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 133,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE, 36% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 133,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was riding down the road and felt the car feel as if it was floating. The next thing I know the car feels like the tire came off and it had. Rusted completely off. I had two children in the car and came very close to being hit in the rear because I lost control of the vehicle. It seems as if it is the control arm bar. This incident happened on gall blvd. Zephyrhills fl.”
NHTSA complaint #11398868, filed 2021-03, 190,000 miles“While driving slowly, I heard a clunk from the rear, and heard tire scrubbing noise while noticing steering wheel cocked 90 degrees in order to keep vehicle straight. Returned vehicle slowly to house driveway about 1/4 mile away. Noticed right reat trailing arm cracked and deformed. Vehicle had been serviced 4 years earlier for recall # 09v123000 (trailing arm corrosion problem.) Hyundai and local dealer claimed that recall was complete and I would have to pay for the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #11012800, filed 2017-08, 127,000 miles“I was going to have the oil changed & alignment on a 2002 sante fe. I was told that there was rust/rotted out frame was where the lower control arm mounts up to the right tire area. I am very upset with this since I had a pre-inspection done & all came back ok. It is in an area where if the tires are not off of it, it is very hard to see. I suspect it is rusted due to the salty location of illinois.”
NHTSA complaint #10467125, filed 2012-07, 183,000 miles“Took my car for an alignment and tires. Frame where the lower control arms bolt up has serious rust issues. I see in some notes that the rust and corrosion has been an issue for the Hyundai's. Is there any way I am eligible to get this repaired by Hyundai or at least at some discounted rate?”
NHTSA complaint #10475887, filed 2012-09, 160,022 miles“While driving at 25 MPH, my wife had to hold the steering wheel at 10 o'clock in order to keep the vehicle going straight. The dealer told us that the subframe and controller arm had broke - a recall campaign which was repaired in 2010 (or so we thought). Due to this the car is not drivable and we are told by the dealership that, although the subframe and controller arm will be covered, the damage to the struts and tires are our responsibility to the sum $973.31. …”
NHTSA complaint #10701219, filed 2015-03, 91,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V435000Jul 18, 2014Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2001–2006
- 09V123000Apr 16, 2009Hyundai is recalling 83,355 my 2001-2003 santa fe vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2001–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10172142Feb 5, 2020This bulletin describes the requirements for all wheel alignment and/or vehicle tracking claims and best practices when diagnosing and conducting alignment-related repairs for…
- 10067807Oct 24, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10060631Oct 16, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 1% |
| 2013 | 23 | 4% |
| 2012 | 14 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 14 | 5% |
| 2009 | 8 | 2% |
| 2008 | 11 | 2% |
| 2007 | 30 | 4% |
| 2006 | 13 | 12% |
| 2005 | 21 | 10% |
| 2004 | 69 | 23% |
| 2003 | 56 | 18% |
| 2002 | 59 | 36% |
| 2001 | 76 | 36% |
Other parts of the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE
21 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEngine
10 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 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