One problem related to power steering fluid has been reported for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2002 Santa Fe.
I bought a used 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe with 71,500 mile, seemed in good condition when I paid for it, don't know much about the previous owner's maintenance history. About 1000 miles later this hiss/rattle sound came from the engine as I was driving it, I also noticed when making turns a rubbing sound came from the steering that got worse as the turning angles got more acute, and I began to notice a small leak of reddish fluid I thought may be transmission fluid (turns out to be powering steering fluid). Took it in to the local Hyundai dealer who told me that the power steering return hose line was corroded/leaking. They charged me $250 to fix it. The fix corrected all three observations. . .