2003 Hyundai Santa FE Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 6%of 308 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,888miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 6% of the 308 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,888 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“About a year ago, my passenger side windows would only work occasionally. Then, the back windows followed suit. Then, they all stopped working completely except the driver's side control would still work.. Then it completely shut down. Nothing worked at all. My husband changed the whole driver's side control panel and that fixed the problem for about 6 months. Now, the passenger side window is working only when it wants to again.”
NHTSA complaint #10291680, filed 2009-11, 125,000 miles“Windshield wipers bolts have loosened 5 times since 2003. The latest was on 4/12/07. The time before was 0 on 1/28/07. Four out of the five events happened during rain and snow events on I- 95 driving at 65 MPH. One second you can see, the next you cannot. I for one have never seen bolts holding windshield wiper arms onto the vehicle in the first place. Obviously for good reason. Something needs to be done to correct this situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10187644, filed 2007-04, 58,888 miles“A crack in the windshield appeared one day. Nothing had hit the windshield. It is a small arc on the drivers side about 3 from the bottom of the windshield. When I brought it to the dealership they said that something hit it and the heat inside the car caused it to crack. The place where they said something hit the windshield only the point of a pin could fit in. I know nothing hit it. One a few occasions I have noticed a grinding sound coming from the transmission. I also have had the ABS engage when the breaks were not being applied and the road surface dry. …”
NHTSA complaint #10066386, filed 2004-04, 19,000 miles“My 2003 sante fe's sunroof leaks.no matter if I am driving or the vehicle is parked.dealership stated when I asked about fixing the problem it could not be fixed. They had tried on other occasions with out success.I have called the corp.office about this situation with no luck!look's like I am stuck!”
NHTSA complaint #10043911, filed 2003-10“The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated the visor on the vehicle broke from the arm and fell down. The contact spoke to the manufacturer and was told that the visor was not considered a safety issue. The failure and current mileage was 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10410912, filed 2011-07, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251285Feb 14, 2024This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there…
- 10230904Jan 30, 2023This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 11% |
| 2025 | 13 | 9% |
| 2024 | 8 | 5% |
| 2023 | 13 | 6% |
| 2022 | 11 | 5% |
| 2021 | 14 | 8% |
| 2020 | 19 | 9% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 8 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 15 | 3% |
| 2013 | 20 | 3% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 6 | 3% |
| 2010 | 11 | 4% |
| 2009 | 9 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 79 | 12% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 17 | 6% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
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 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