Model Year Problem Record

Hyundai Santa FE 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

308Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

43Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Suspension58 complaints

58 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 09V123000, 14V435000.

Brakes44 complaints

44 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V131000.

Air Bags42 complaints

42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V520000.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V520000Reported December 18, 2003 - 249,309 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on December 18, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 249,309 vehicles across all affected models.

04V131000Reported March 16, 2004 - 17,401 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on March 16, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 17,401 vehicles across all affected models.

09V123000Reported April 16, 2009 - 83,355 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on April 16, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 83,355 vehicles across all affected models.

14V435000Reported July 18, 2014 - 271,773 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on July 18, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 271,773 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA08023Opened October 28, 2008 - Closed April 17, 2009

REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 09V123000.

EA08023Opened October 28, 2008 - Closed April 17, 2009

REAR TRAILING ARM CORROSION FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 09V123000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200326

200430

200525

200619

200714

200811

200921

201022

201122

201214

201313

201426

201525

201610

20177

201810

20196

20203

20211

20231

20242

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.