2003 Hyundai Santa FE Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 3%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seat belts of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 3% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“In my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, the drivers side seat belt receiver, female part, has worn out twice in 99,000 miles. The first time it was under warranty, the second time I had to pay. I have never had a seat belt receiver ware out before. This is a serious defect that NHTSA should address.”
NHTSA complaint #10374051, filed 2011-01, 99,000 miles“I have a 2003 Santa Fe that has exceeded its warranty. My 10 year old daughter was buckling her safety belt and the whole safety belt came out with the bolt. Hyundai said that its not covered under warranty even if this was a safety issue. Im concerned also about the other safety belts and were my three children going to be safe. They told me I have to pay if I want this safety problem repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10191562, filed 2007-05, 80,000 miles“My seat belt all-of-a-sudden started popping out after being snapped in place. It has done this a number of times since last week. Yesterday, it must have done it about five times. I have to keep snapping it in place and tugging on it to make sure it is secure. It is especially unnerving when it occurs while driving. You may lean to the side and all-of-a-sudden it pops out. I never know when it will happen, but my greatest concern it may fail when I need it most, like in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10488743, filed 2012-12, 199,000 miles“The airbag indicator would not go out after start of engine. Brought car back to dealer where I was advised that due to a short in the seat belt pretensioner that the circuit that tied the airbags with the sensors in the bumpers etc. Would keep the airbags from deploying. Dealer indicated they were ordering a new part to replace the seat belt pretensioner and furnished me with a loaner. They did not want me to drive the car in this condition since it would take 2 days to get a new part.”
NHTSA complaint #10047455, filed 2003-11, 157 miles“Driver's side seat belt comes unlatched when hitting certain bumps. Vehicle is out of warranty so dealer wouldn't replace it and Hyundai has no recall. Guess Hyundai is waiting for sufficient people to be killed in accidents before addressing the problem. Sounds like the GM ignition switch debacle.”
NHTSA complaint #10678730, filed 2015-01, 136,400 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 8 | 6% |
| 2024 | 10 | 6% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 8 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 7 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 18 | 8% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
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 Nov 1, 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