2002 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension problems

59 complaints (36% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 137,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 59
of this car's complaints: 36%
typical mileage: 137,000
crashes: 4
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Rear
15
Front: control arm: lower ball joint
3
Front
2
Front: control arm: upper ball joint
1
Front: control arm
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Hyundai Santa Fe suspension problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Ball joint 26

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

Related investigations

Rear trailing arm corrosion failureOpened October 28, 2008, closed April 17, 2009

In a letter dated april 14, 2009, hyundai-kia america technical center, inc (hyundai) notified the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 85,000 model year (my) 2001 through 2003 hyundai santa fe vehicles manufactured prior to january 27, 2003, that are registered and operated in the following 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.hyundai is recalling the vehicles to remedy a condition where internal corrosion of either the right or left rear trailing arms may result in fracture of the affected arm while driving, which could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash.the rear trailing arms will be inspected in the recalled vehicles using a procedure developed by hyundai to measure metal thickness.parts with perforations from corrosion or with metal below the specified thickness will be replaced with redesigned trailing arms.if the minimum metal thickness is met, drainage holes and and rust proofing material will be added to the existing rear trailing arms.although not subject components of this investigation, hyundai noted it would perform a similar procedure for the front subframes of the subject vehicles. Odi's analysis of complaint data revealed that 99% of all consumer complaints related to trailing arm corrosion were from vehicles either originally sold or operated in saltbelt states. Similarly 92% of the warranty claims were from vehicles originally sold or operated in saltbelt states.odi identified 30 rear trailing arm fracture incidents through analysis of complaint and warranty information and consumer interviews.twenty-nine (29) of the fracture incidents involved vehicles in states covered by the recall.based on hyundai's decision to conduct a safety recall this engineering analysis is closed.

EA08023

What 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Suspension, Wheels · 190,000 miles · FL

I was riding down the road and felt the car feel as if it was floating. The next thing I know the car feels like the tire came off and it had. Rusted completely off. I had two children in the car and came very close to being hit in the rear because I lost control of the vehicle. It seems as if it is the control arm bar. This incident happened on gall blvd. Zephyrhills fl.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Suspension · 160,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact called on behalf of a client who owns a 2002 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while his client was driving at 55 MPH, she experienced what she thought was a flat tire on the rear of the vehicle. As the client began to pull over, the entire passenger's side rear control arm collapsed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact's client had the vehicle towed to his independent mechanic shop where he discovered that the entire lower rear control was corroded and had detached from the vehicle. The contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v123000 (suspension) however, upon speaking with twin city hyundai (3024 alcoa hwy, alcoa, tn 37701) the contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.*dt

Filed Nov 10, 2020 · Suspension, Transmission · CA

My 2002 hyundai santa fe is sharply jerking to the right its almost impossible to stop it sounds as if the car if going to fall into peices im a disabled mom with one one the way I can't drive for fear im going to lose the wheel and crash

Filed Sep 25, 2020 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that upon inspection of his rear brakes, he noticed excessive corrosion on the rear trailing arms located by the coil springs. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v123000 (suspension) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2020 · Suspension · NY

This santa fe has a rear right trailing arm that has completely rusted and has also disintegrated the wheel bearing assembly, wheel hub, emergency brake cable and spring. I checked the website for a recall on this vehicle, there is a recall for the rear trailing arms, but this VIN number was not part of the recall. This vehicle has been registered in the northeast "salt belt" and should have been included in the recall. Because of this oversight by not including this VIN on the recall it has caused massive corrosion on all attached parts. The right rear side has been more affected than the rear left side. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you could provide me in providing a remedy for this situation

Filed Jul 23, 2019 · Suspension · GA

Frame rusted through on at least left side where the control arm is bolted.. Previously rear trailing arm rusted through.

Filed May 23, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 168,000 miles · OH

When accelerating between 30-50 MPH, the steering wheel pulls violently to the right. When the accelerator is released, the tension on the wheel goes away. The front tires wear faster then unseal.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · VA

Both lower control arms are rusting out due to salt roadways

Filed Sep 27, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn and there was an abnormal odor of fuel inside the vehicle. In addition, the contact had to add air to the four tires and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the suspension and axle needed to be repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 hyundai santa fe. While driving 55 MPH, the contact felt that the rear of the vehicle was out of alignment. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger wheel was bent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear trailing arms were corroded all the way through and needed to be replaced. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 09v123000 (suspension) and 14v435000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Questions about the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension

Does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, 36% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 137,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension?

Yes, 2 recalls: 14V435000, 09V123000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Hyundai Santa Fe have bad suspension?

The Hyundai Santa Fe model years with the most suspension complaints are 2001 (76 complaints), 2004 (69 complaints) and 2002 (59 complaints).