The Lemon Index2001 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe is about average by owner complaints: 74 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 105, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 209 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 64K to 135K miles on the car (130 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 97K–149K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 49K–81K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 91K–142K miles
Recalls 4
- suspension 2014
The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road s.
- suspension 2009
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, …
- equipment 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.".
Show all 4 recalls
- electrical 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINES, IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS (CPS) WERE INSTALLED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 135 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding automatic transaxle oil drain plug
- Harsh or delayed park-reverse or park-drive engagement in vehicles equipped
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedRear trailing arm corrosion failure2008–2009
- ClosedRear suspension trailing arm failure2008
- ClosedEngine seizure2002
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving and without any notice will lose power, and consumer can no longe accelerate vehicle. Contacted dealer.
2001 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 8011271
More owner reports
Battery charge indicator showed a long term "low" charge level, and during very hot weather, battery failed to start vehicle due to alternator not keeping battery charged up properly.
NHTSA complaint 766496
4 cyl. Gl automatic , when driving car bucks-stutters,downshifts hesitates for a few seconds in doing this it can cause a bad accident.
NHTSA complaint 753743
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 105; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (39%), engine (38%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
4 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 64,800 and 135,200 miles. The middle report was at 103,000 miles, from 130 complaints.
Does the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works