2003 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 3%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 3% of the 308 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.
“My daughter and her friends were driving the 2003 Hyundai sante fe home from a ski trip in the mountains. She said the car keeps accelerating on it's own up to 55-60mph, especially when they were going down hill. When she put the car in park or neutral, the car's engine rev up to 3000 rmp on it's own. She barely put her foot on the pedal and it was driving 55 MPH. She had to use the brakes a lot to slow the car down. It was very scary but they manage to make it home safely. I did some research on the internet and seems like a lot of people had the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10661983, filed 2014-12, 120,900 miles“The car looses power but comes rite back ..sometimes stalls while in traffic but starts rite up..going on interstate lost power tact dropped to o all power lost came back on its own also cd player will come on by itself I think it may be something electrical I have read online many of the same problems with the sante fe of that year ..no fix what is the deal with that no fix something is up with that lots of complaints online that I have read to many of the same problem Hyundai must know what is wrong but don't want to fix it to costly for the company...to bad for the consumer!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10652876, filed 2014-11, 87,000 miles“Engine died multiple times while in operation on a city street going straight, approximately 35-40 miles per hour and on hiway going approx. 60 MPH twice. We no longer drive it on a hiway. Repair shop can't find anything wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #10971095, filed 2017-04, 89,000 miles“We purchased this vehicle used in june of 2014 with 62,450 miles on it. The exterior and interior were in great shape. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealer in july for an inspection of the rear suspension per a recall. At that time a complete inspection was done, with only a small oil leak found on one axle shaft. Two months later the vehicle was take back to the dealer for a recall for a broken spring. At this time a second inspection was completed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10638669, filed 2014-09, 62,450 miles“2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, 180k miles, 2nd owner. Customer states: fuel leaking from fuel tank onto ground; safety concern & fire hazard. Unable to park in garage/driveway. Fuel light on; low fuel level. Filled with $7.00 in gas ($2.70/gal). After fueling, fuel gauge hasn't moved. Added more fuel & set gas station fuel nozzle to auto stop when full. Gauge says 3/4 tank (normally would read full tank).then drove 12 miles no issues. Parked on residential street for 1-2 days. Searched online found 'warranty extension' on fuel tank. Driving to certified Hyundai dealer, 15 miles away. …”
NHTSA complaint #11120235, filed 2018-08, 181,000 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 2003 Hyundai Santa FE
56 complaintsBrakes
43 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsWheels
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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