The Lemon Index2002 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe has too few complaints to score: 11 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 165 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2002 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 79K to 147K miles on the car (126 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 95K–160K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 100K–184K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 87K–145K 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 52 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transaxle oil leak between transaxle and transfer case
- Abs pump self check noise
- Abs pump self-check noise
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
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer experienced an alarming grinding sound when attempting to brake. Grinding sound of the brakes occurred several times while on snow-covered roads. (nar)
2002 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 10059893
More owner reports
Front brakes repaired, I was informed that control arm and ball joint on right tire were bad, parts were loose and not stationary.
NHTSA complaint 10099938
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (18%), suspension (18%) and airbags (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 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 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 79,100 and 147,300 miles. The middle report was at 104,500 miles, from 126 complaints.
Does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2002?
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