2002 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 23 complaints for the 2002 Hyundai Santa FE, 11% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

Complaints: 23 11% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage: 106,000 miles 20 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 0 and 1
Injuries and deaths: 1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Based on 20 complaints that include mileage. 10% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.

View the numbers

Mileage	Complaints
0k to 20k miles	2
20k to 40k miles	0
40k to 60k miles	0
60k to 80k miles	5
80k to 100k miles	2
100k to 120k miles	4
120k to 140k miles	3
140k to 160k miles	2
160k to 180k miles	2
180k to 200k miles	0
200k+ miles	0

What the data shows

Of the 20 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 106,000 miles, and 10% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 fire, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

Dt: the contact stated while driving the harmonic balance fell off. She heard a loud clung, and then looked into rearview mirror. At that time she saw it rolling in the middle of the road. She then pulled over and her daughter tried to pick it up. The part was hot, and she burned her fingers. The part was put in the vehicle and taken to the dealership where she purchased it. When this happened the steering malfunctioned. The hyundai dealership was contacted to get the replacement part.

August 2005 Injury

My 2002 hyundai 2002 sante fe has a 2-part catalytic converter. Hyundai has a warranty--required by federal law, I understand--that covers this for 8 years, 80,000 miles. My car is within that criteria. The second converter broke off, and neither now work. Hyundai and its dealer, marhofer hyundai of cuyahoga falls, ohio, refuse to honor the warranty, because the main converter would work if the second, and an entirely new exhaust system, were installed.

Reported at 77,800 miles, June 2010

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Hyundai models