2003 Hyundai Santa FE Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the equipment of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 1% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I have a 2003 Santa Fe (march 2003 purchased). Shortly after purchase I reported to dealer that it jerks violently (stalls) and restarts at highway speeds and would sometimes just die at a idle stop light for no apparent reason (always started back up). The dealer inspected and could not find or replicate any issues. I called back again as this would continue to happen intermittently and is quite alarming. I travel as a healthcare consultant so I need a dependable car. Just this week the car would not start at all and the check engine light came on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10133625, filed 2005-08, 1,000 miles“The VIN on my new 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe is an invalid one. The dmv database that my inurance accesses has no record of this number. I spoke with the dealership who were less than helpful. At this moment, I have 9 days of temporary insurance for the car, but my agent informs me that unless the VIN number is corrected or resolved, the car cannot be registered, licensed or insured in the state of california.”
NHTSA complaint #10025958, filed 2003-07Related recalls
- 03V520000Dec 18, 2003Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2001–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10190044Mar 30, 2021This bulletin provides the service procedure for engine connecting rod bearing clearance testing. Perform the procedure outlined in this bulletin to fulfill the Bearing Clearance…
- 10190038Mar 23, 2021This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
- 10189989Mar 10, 2021This bulletin provides the inspection procedure and repair guidelines for certain vehicles listed below.
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
- 10176178May 1, 2020This bulletin describes the general guidelines to help disinfect and protect vehicle exterior/interior surfaces using recommended safe chemical products.
- 10174808Apr 23, 2020This bulletin provides information on identifying dealer stock vehicles with either: ⢠A Battery SOC alert - low Battery State of Charge (SOC) at or below 50%. ⢠A 30 Day…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10173546Mar 23, 2020This bulletin describes the general guidelines to disinfect and protect vehicle interior surfaces using certain safe chemical products.
- 10167253Oct 14, 2019This bulletin provides instruction detailing the proper methodology for scanning and uploading captured GDS data files to the Techline Repository. Compliance with this bulletin…
- 10128154Dec 1, 2017This SKU is an Air Conditioning Bypass Pulley. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for potential bracket cracking. Bracket cracks may cause…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 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 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