2003 Hyundai Santa FE air bags problems
Owners reported air bags problems in 42 complaints for the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE, 11% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 42 11% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 66,000 miles 34 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 14 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 16 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When air bags problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 4 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 34 air bags complaints that report mileage, the median is about 66,000 miles, and 47% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 14 crashes, 1 fire, 16 injuries.
What owners wrote
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 hyundai santa fe. On august 16, 2008, while driving 45 MPH, a vehicle failed to yield at a red light. The contact was unable to stop and the front bumper on the passenger side of her vehicle struck a travel trailer. The driver and passenger frontal air bag indicators illuminated, but failed to deploy. The passenger seated in the front seat received injures to the neck, back, and head. The rear passenger was traumatized. The contact received injuries to the neck, back, and shoulders.
The air bag red warning light came on in 9/08. The dealer scanned the system, cleared historic codes, cycled through self test several times. Codes did not reset. Light came back on in 1/09. I will take vehicle back to dealer. My opinion is that safety equipment should be more reliable . When the red light initially came on they couldn't find a problem but I will be charged appx. $600 when they fix the problem.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Hyundai Santa FE
- Suspension 58 complaints
- Brakes 44 complaints
- Body & structure 30 complaints
- Engine 29 complaints
- Electrical system 28 complaints
- Cruise control 24 complaints
- Transmission 22 complaints
- Fuel system 19 complaints