2003 Hyundai Santa FE Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 6%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 6% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just had an oil change done to vehicle on 7/15/2014 during the week driving to work friday 7/18/2014 I lost some of my steering the tires squeak on the turns underneath on the right side frame rotted at the stabilizer,bolts.pictures taken . .”
NHTSA complaint #10615318, filed 2014-07, 126,976 miles“I called Hyundai after having an issue with my rear tire and just purchasing 4 brand new tires. The rear of the vehicle looked bent and after not understanding why it appeared this way I looked up recalls. I was given a recall champagne #090 by Hyundai and told my vehicle was coved for repair. I brought the vehicle (unsafely) drove it 10-15 MPH to the location to have it repaired. Approximately a month late the dealer contacts me and says that my vehicle is ready for pick up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10609001, filed 2014-07, 200,000 miles“I was in a minor accident when the braking system failed on my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. I could not stop the SUV and ran into a guardrail . I could have been hurt or killed because of this. Others could have been hurt or killed. The dealership in beaver falls, pa has done nothing for the problem and I have brought it in and they said that my model is not affected which I find that very hard to believe. I am selling the car but I also want to let someone know that I am taking it to the dealer in the morning to get the coil recalls done. …”
NHTSA complaint #10874737, filed 2016-06, 72,000 miles“2003 Hyundai sante fe gls - drove through a 2 inch deep puddle. Lost power steering, battery light and brake light flashed then a rubber burning smell started. Drove the car for two additional days after the repair shop couldn't find anything. Then driving home from work, airbag light turned on, brake light turned on battery light turned on, all analog instruments failed, tach failed, braking became inconsistent and engine started missing. I drove directly to repair shop, as I made my final turn into the repair shop the power steering failed then the car shutoff. …”
NHTSA complaint #10513108, filed 2013-05, 112,000 miles“Brought my 2003 Santa Fe in for service when I was told that my steering rack was leaking and needed to be replaced at the cost of $1300 of course the warranty is up and Hyundai won't do anything about it sent a letter to the ceo who really didn't seem to care about my problem my wife is going through cancer and we rely on the car to get back and forth to treatments I have owned 6 Hyundai'sin the past so this will be my last one for the bad part is the car won't pass inspection if anyone else has had this problem please let me know the car has 118.000 miles on it and according to them that…”
NHTSA complaint #10322121, filed 2010-03, 118,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 5 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 8 | 7% |
| 2017 | 27 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 52 | 11% |
| 2013 | 95 | 16% |
| 2012 | 16 | 5% |
| 2011 | 20 | 11% |
| 2010 | 8 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 5% |
| 2008 | 14 | 3% |
| 2007 | 38 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% |
| 2002 | 16 | 10% |
| 2001 | 13 | 6% |
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 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsWheels
13 complaintsOther or unknown
10 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