Check a VIN

2001 Hyundai Santa Fe: ball joint or control arm failure

31 of the 209 complaints about the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe describe ball joint or control arm failure.

owner complaints
31
of this car's complaints
15%
typical repair cost reported
$1,549
typical mileage
118,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 5 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Ball joint or control arm failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Body, Steering · 140,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that on separate occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to Marco’s body shop where it was diagnosed that both struts, new tires, front passenger side wheel cylinder, wheel mount, tie rod, and wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the mechanic noticed that the driver’s side cross member had fractured and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer at a different location. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed May 18, 2020 · Suspension · 161,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact drove back to her residence where her husband inspected the vehicle. The contact's husband discovered corrosion on the rear control arm. Due to the corrosion, the driver's side rear control arm fractured. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v123000 (suspension) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000. *ln

Filed Aug 24, 2019 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · MO

Drivers side lower control arm rusted out it has 2 recalls on it but not the control arm why if the trailing arms are rusted it should be added to???????? Started making noise no warning while driveing 55 MPH happened on 8/23/2019

Filed Apr 11, 2018 · Engine, Suspension · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that both front coil springs fractured without warning and had been replaced by the dealer (hyundai east, 11200 e central ave, wichita, ks 67206, (316) 977-7800). In addition, while driving at a low rate of speed, the rear lower control arm fractured on the driver's side. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact experienced a failure with the crankshaft sensor. The manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was not included in any recall campaigns. The vehicle continued to exhibit the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Suspension · 172,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the vehicle's lower frame control arm was making a clicking noise. The dealer diagnosed that the a frame needed to be replaced; however, the bolts that held the frame were rusted. The a frame was not able to be removed and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer issued a previous recall that was directly related to the failure; however, they were unable to identify the recall number. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2015 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · NJ

I have had to replace the ball joints twice. The first time was seven years ago at about 40,000 miles and recently in june 2016 at 84,000 miles. Since it is a unique suspension without alignment adjustments, the design could be causing unusual stress on the ball joints.

Filed May 19, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · OH

While driving home with family in vehicle the control arms broke, ball joints broke and the sway bar broke.

Filed Apr 16, 2015 · Suspension · 173,000 miles · MD

Rear trailing on on both sides have corroded through. Driver side rear control case has disintegrated, passenger side is severely corroded. - march 18, 2010: vehicle had service preformed on to address "recall #090 rear trailing arms and front sub-frame corrosion treatment", rust preventative v and plug kit service performed by dealer. - may 16, 2012: vehicle had subfame replaced due to rust hole at right front lower control arm connection, replacement of rack & pinion and transfer case for $2777. - dec 12, 2014: vehicle had service performed to address "tsb# 14-01-141-1 - front coil spring protector. There is a fault with how the recalls and service requirements have been issued with this vehicle. If the recall and prescribed service were properly done, having to replace the front sub-frame just over 2 years of having service to prevent sub-frame corrosion performed would not have been required. The sub-frame was so damaged that the vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. Nor would 4 months after having recall service performed and vehicle inspected by dealer, the rear control case and arms have completely failed making the car not only unsafe to drive but not even drivable now because the rear driver side wheel is positioned at an angle with structural support.

Filed Sep 9, 2013 · Suspension · 145,000 miles · IL

Lower control arm rusted through wheel detached from rotor wheel hang off. Wheel not straight.

Filed Sep 27, 2012 · Suspension · 118,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH the vehicle started to shake and the tires began to make a loud noise. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the control arm was bent into the frame. The contact believed that the failure was due to corrosion. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 118,390.

Filed Sep 21, 2010 · Suspension, Wheels · 121,000 miles · IA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 hyundai santa fe. While driving approximately 25-30 MPH on a gravel road during rainy weather conditions the rear passenger side tire came off. The contact drove onto the emergency lane. He called the dealer where he purchased the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was pre-owned and purchased in april 2010. The contact stated that the dealer put the wrong lug nuts on the tire. After the lug nuts were replaced a week later the ball joints on the passenger and driver side failed. He also stated that the trailing arms on the rear driver's side were covered with rust and broke in half. Most of the repairs were made to the vehicle. The body shop is repairing tire failure and the rear fender. The failure mileage was 121,000 the current mileage was unknown. Updated 01/06/11. *lj updated 02/28/11

Filed Apr 18, 2010 · Steering · 50,000 miles · NJ

2001 santa fe at about 50,000 miles, front driver side ball joint caused steering problem march 2006, part replaced. Then march 2009 front passenger side ball joint broken, as before part replaced. In both cases the steering caused the car to pull severly to the right.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Suspension: front: springs: coil springsReported July 18, 2014 · 271,773 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 “salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.
Risk
If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.

Recall number 14V435000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported April 16, 2009 · 83,355 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai is recalling 83,355 my 2001-2003 santa fe vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Road salt applied in these jurisdictions during the winter months may result in progressive, internal corrosion of the rear trailing arms, which could lead to thinning or perforation of the rear trailing arm steel. Owners may see or feel slight to moderate changes in vehicle operation which will increase if the vehicle is not repaired. These changes include a lowering of vehicle height that can lead to tire misalignment and steering pull. Owners may also notice a creaking sound.
Risk
If the corrosion is allowed to progress, the rear trailing arm may fracture while driving, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear trailing arms for internal corrosion damage. If specified levels of corrosion damage are found, the rear trailing arms will be replaced. Rear trailing arms that do not require replacement will have drainage holes added and will be treated with rust-proofing material to arrest the corrosion process. Inspection, treatment and replacement procedures will be conducted at no cost to owners. The recall is expected to begin during may 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 09V123000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe ball joint

Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe?

31 of 209 owner complaints about the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe (15%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2001.

How much does it cost to fix ball joint or control arm failure on the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,549 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe?

There are 2 recalls and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe

Stalling 21Jerking 12Loss of power 9Won't start 8Check engine light 6Hesitation 6Coil spring 5Power steering loss 5

All model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history