Body problems of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

13 problems related to body have been reported for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2003 Santa Fe.

1 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/16/2020

Brought my vehicle in for a alignment and they discovered the rusted and corradiated rear left trailing control arm on my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, I brought to dealership after that to get a recall and the told me that since the vehicle was bought in nd and that state is not included in the recall they will decline the work, even thou minn. Is right next door like I live about 1 mile to mn they still wouldn't except the recall, it is obvious the part that is on recall fits my car, when looking on the right side arm there is no rust or corrosion. The dealer states it is not safe to drive vehicle, because the arm is starting to bend also. So what do I do now, it will be very costly to fix,.

2 Body problem

Failure Date: 03/30/2018

I was driving an I came yo a stop an began to turn up a side block wen I heard something like it was metal in mersl scrapping so I immediately pulled over an had to call my mechanic to come see what was that awful noise he layer showd up lifted my car in the air which he found a lot of corrosion an rust an my lower arm control an sub frame needing to be replaced underneath my car thats why my steering wheel was freewheeling.

3 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2018

Car has clunking noise in front end. Mechanic said it's the subframe bushings going in and out of the subframe and recommended replacing subframe. Said car is "unsafe to drive in this condition. " there is a recall in "salt-belt" states. Not sure it they consider utah a salt-belt state, but salt is used here extensively in the winter.

4 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2017

My airbags were defective. I was in a car accident, and the airbags did not deploy. After the accident, I was taken to the hospital to treat multiple bodily injuring, which could have been prevented if the airbag had deployed. I was driving in town when the accident occurred. I overshot a turn and hit a poll on the left side of the car. The car flipped and was totaled. Again, no airbags were deployed. I have included pictures of the car after the accident. My main concern is the issue with the airbags. I feel as though these should have worked properly and that I am fortunate enough that the accident was not any worse, as more serious injuries could have then occurred.

5 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2017

My airbags were defective. I was in a car accident, and the airbags did not deploy. After the accident, I was taken to the hospital to treat multiple bodily injuring, which could have been prevented if the airbag had deployed. I was driving in town when the accident occurred. I overshot a turn and hit a poll on the left side of the car. The car flipped and was totaled. Again, no airbags were deployed. I have included pictures of the car after the accident. My main concern is the issue with the airbags. I feel as though these should have worked properly and that I am fortunate enough that the accident was not any worse, as more serious injuries could have then occurred. If needed, I have more pictures; however, due to the file size allowed, I have limited it to key picture. Please let me know.

6 Body problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2016

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving various speeds, the vehicle veered to the right. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the k-frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,995.

7 Body problem

Failure Date: 10/22/2015

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle it was discovered that the spare tire rack located under the vehicle had experienced severe rusting and corrosion and could no longer be used to secure the spare tire. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000. Jft.

8 Body problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2015

Interior door handles on 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe are separating from the chrome plating exactly as in the recall for, NHTSA campaign number: 09v317000, dealer will not correct as there has not been an official recall announcement, but these appear to be the same type, style, make handles as that in the recall. Handles are sharp and will cut passengers if handled improperly. Dick dean of ballwin missouri (dealer)suggested placeing tape of the handles which is totally unacceptable. Filing this for my father who owns the vehicle. I owned the sonata in the recall and know first hand these are the exact same handles with the same problem. I also own a 2004 Santa Fe where the problem has not started to occur yet, but they too appear to be the same handles.

9 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2014

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated the front end of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. Lb.

10 Body problem

Failure Date: 09/03/2014

The contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle suspension was unstable causing the vehicle to wobble back and forth. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the sub frame and control arm were rusted to the point of a potential fracture and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of recall NHTSA campaign id number: 14v435000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

11 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/31/2013

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the springs in the rear broke the control arms. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the control arms had completely rusted. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that left driver side control arm was replaced by the dealer due to corrosion. In addition, the subframe needed to be replaced. However, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure 133,000. Ne.

12 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/23/2013

Sub frame was replaced due to hidden rotting of internal mounting structure separation of suspension components, causing poor control of vehicle and tire wear in Aug. 2013. Under body was exposed to corrosive water in July, 2017 about three years ago and has turned the steel to " crackers " rust condition and made it unsafe to be road worthy due to possible separation of sub frame at body mounts. . All repairs where at my expense. I found some recalls to late on the computer. I`m in the process of replacing the unit. I kept all records of repairs and maintenance since I purchased it used. The power train is in good running order. I`m not to computer savey ! I have a fax mechine. Thank you.

13 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/20/2013

The passenger from sub frame broke dropping the lower control arm bending the wheel out. This was at big o tires checking alignment. I see there was a class action law suit on this matter covering 2001-2003 santafe's. The front sub frame must be replaced.


Other Structure related problems of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe


Safety Ratings of Santa Fe Cars
Fuel Economy of Santa Fe Vehicles
Santa Fe Service Bulletins
Santa Fe Safety Recalls
Santa Fe Defect Investigations