Santa Fe SANTA FE TRAILER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
44 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
27,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 to 2002 model years. Data updated: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 44 complaints (9.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
5
11.4%
Transmission and shifting
4
9.1%
Electrical and battery issues
2
4.5%
Steering behavior
1
2.3%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
4
Vehicle Speed Control
4
Visibility:Windshield
4
Electrical System
2
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
4
Vehicle Speed Control
4
Visibility:Windshield
4
Electrical System
2
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
6
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
6
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2001
1
2002
18
2003
18
2004
7
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2001
1
2002
18
2003
18
2004
7
2001: 1; 2002: 18; 2003: 18; 2004: 7
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM REAR END. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE DRIVELINE. *AK
EXPERIENCED DELAY AND HARSH SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE SINCE 06 JANUARY 2004. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND PARTS WERE ORDERED. AUTO IS NOT DRIVABLE AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERS SHOP SINCE 02 FEBRUARY 2004. DEALER SAYS THE PART IS ON A "NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
44 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
29.5%Usable mileage13 / 44 records
79.5%Valid incident date35 / 44 records
100.0%Valid filing date44 / 44 records
79.5%Ordered incident and filing dates35 / 44 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2002
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
49.1%ODI 10046701
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM REAR END. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE DRIVELINE. *AK
I HAVE DETAILED INFORMATION ON WHAT I BELIEVE IS A COVER-UP BY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION REGARDING THE 2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED THE DAY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT LEAST 4 TIMESFOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM: WHEN I START THE VEHICLE UP EVERY MORNING, THE RPM'S RACE TO OVER 2000 AND DECLINES SLIGHTLY TO ABOUT 1500 AND STAYS AT THIS SPEED FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES. WHEN I PULL FROM A PARKING SPACE (WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL), THE SPEEDOMETER HOVER BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MILES AN HOUR, AGAIN, WIT…
I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THIS PAST WEEK A ROCK (APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL) FELL OFF OF AN ONCOMING TRUCK AND HIT MY FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ROCK CAME COMPLETELY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, HIT THE DASHBOARD, & LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SAW IT COMING & IN A SPLIT SECOND WAS ABLE TO COVER HER FACE & LEAN TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IF THAT ROCK HAD HIT HER IT WOULD HAVE VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED HER OR WORSE. I AM VERY…
CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHERE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND, HOWEVER THE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. MANUFACTURER'S HELP LINE RECOMMENDED CHANGING OIL FROM MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED 10W30 OIL TO 5W30 OIL. TECHNICIANS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL BELIEVE THAT ORIGINAL PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY RELATED TO COMPUTER SYSTEM IN CAR. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. TS
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Visibility:Windshield
Too few reports for a range
22,293 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 10016526 · 27,800 mi
I OWN A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THIS PAST WEEK A ROCK (APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL) FELL OFF OF AN ONCOMING TRUCK AND HIT MY FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ROCK CAME COMPLETELY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, HIT THE DASHBOARD, & LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SAW IT COMING & IN A SPLIT SECOND WAS ABLE TO COVER HER FACE & LEAN TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IF THAT ROCK HAD HIT HER IT WOULD HAVE VERY SERIOUSLY INJURED HER OR WORSE. I AM VERY…
THE WINDSHIELD HAS BEGAN TO CRACK FROM THE LOWER RIGHT-HAND CORNER (PASSENGER'S SIDE) UP ABOUT 16" IN AN "S" SHAPED PATTERN. THERE IS -NO- INDICATION OF A ROCK OR OTHER ITEM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP (FAIRFAX HYUNDAI, FAIRFAX, VA) THAT IT IS THE RESULT OF A ROCK -BUT- THERE IS -NO_ IMPACT CRATER TO SUGGEST THIS. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT "STRESS FRACTURES" I WAS TOLD -THOSE- OCCUR FROM THE "INSIDE-OUT" AND THAT THIS WASN'T A STRESS FRACTURE... I FIND THAT TO BE B.S. *AK
CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER WHERE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO DEALER WHERE NO PROBLEMS COULD BE FOUND, HOWEVER THE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START AGAIN. MANUFACTURER'S HELP LINE RECOMMENDED CHANGING OIL FROM MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED 10W30 OIL TO 5W30 OIL. TECHNICIANS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL BELIEVE THAT ORIGINAL PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY RELATED TO COMPUTER SYSTEM IN CAR. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. TS
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2002: 41 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2002
18
36
41
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2002
32
9
3
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Vehicle Speed Control
Visibility:Windshield
Electrical System
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
—
0
0
0
0
0
1ODI 8014061
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 04/25/02, AND WITHIN 2 MONTHS ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE, AND THERE WAS A MAJOR OIL LEAK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH DEALER FOR THE LAST 35 DAYS. DEALER HAS BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESOLUTION.*AK
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
2002 HYUNDAI SANTE FE.AVE HAD 3 ALTERNATORS AND BATTERIED REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST WEEK THE THIRD WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE STILL WILL NOT CRANK LIGHTS DIM WIPERS SLOW. RADIO CUTS OFF WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THE LIGHTS FLASH WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS OUT OF IGNITION/.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 04/25/02, AND WITHIN 2 MONTHS ENGINE WAS REPLACED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE, AND THERE WAS A MAJOR OIL LEAK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH DEALER FOR THE LAST 35 DAYS. DEALER HAS BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESOLUTION.*AK
VEHICLE HAD 1,300 MILES WHEN OWNER BEGAN TO MOVE VEHICLE. OWNER PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL IN REVERSE. IT SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO REAR AND PROPERTY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE WAS STOLEN OFF DEALERS LOT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS TOTALED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE DRIVER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NLM ON A SECOND OCCASION WHILE PARKING IN A GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED, ON THE THIRD OCCASION WHEN STARTING THE PARKED VEHICLE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUS SPEED. *SCC
I HAVE HAD MY 2002 SANTA FE LX FOR ONLY 60 DAYS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A WEEK AGO. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE AT LEAST A WEEK TILL THEY COULD LOOK AT IT, AND THAT DRIVING IT WITH THE LIGHT ON WOULDN'T HURT IT. FIVE DAYS LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN GOING UP ANY HILL WHEN IN AUTOMATICE MODE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO THE GARAGE...I JUST HEARD FROM THE MECHANIC YESTERDAY AND MY SHIFTING PROBLEMS APPARENTLY WERE CAUSED FROM A BOKEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER! I CAN'T IMAGINE …