2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS
KM8SC13D32U329769
Vehicle history report for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (VIN KM8SC13D32U329769). Beige, sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 2.7L, gasoline. 210,442 mi reported. Registered in Fl. 4 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
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What a full report checks for VIN KM8SC13D32U329769
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 4
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesot…
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.
NHTSA Campaign #14V435000 · 18/07/2014SUSPENSION:REAR
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 83,355 MY 2001-2003 SANTA FE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. ROAD SALT APPLIED IN THESE JURISDI…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR TRAILING ARMS FOR INTERNAL CORROSION DAMAGE. IF SPECIFIED LEVELS OF CORROSION DAMAGE ARE FOUND, THE REAR TRAILING ARMS WILL BE REPLACED. REAR TRAILING ARMS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE DRAINAGE HOLES ADDED AND WILL BE TREATED WITH RUST-PROOFING MATERIAL T
NHTSA Campaign #09V123000 · 16/04/2009EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
NHTSA Campaign #03V520000 · 18/12/2003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.7 LITER V-6 ENGINES, IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS (CPS) WERE INSTALLED. THE CPS CASES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND DID NOT MEET DIMENSIONAL SPECIFICATIONS. INTERNAL GAPS WITHIN THE CASES ALLOWED EPOXY TO CONTACT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, WHICH RESULTED IN CRACKING OF THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CAPACITOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CPS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-829-9956.
NHTSA Campaign #03V030000 · 02/01/2003We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 171
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The starter motor housing bottom ear bracket that holds the bolt to the transmission has broken off on 3 different starters in the same exact spot on all 3.
NHTSA ODI #11531011SERVICE BRAKES
While dragging the trash can back to the house, I was approaching fence in front of the house, at a slow speed, as I applied the brakes the car started to accelerate. Pressing down harder on the brakes ,it felt like stepping on a brick, with no braking taking place the car accelerated at a high rate. At this time the car crashed into the left side of the …
Crash · NHTSA ODI #11436961SUSPENSION,WHEELS
I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD AND FELT THE CAR FEEL AS IF IT WAS FLOATING. THE NEXT THING I KNOW THE CAR FEELS LIKE THE TIRE CAME OFF AND IT HAD. RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. I HAD TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO BEING HIT IN THE REAR BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS THE CONTROL ARM BAR. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON GALL BLVD…
NHTSA ODI #11398868SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF A CLIENT WHO OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS CLIENT WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, SHE EXPERIENCED WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE CLIENT BEGAN TO PULL OVER, THE ENTIRE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT'S …
NHTSA ODI #11394833SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS
MY 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IS SHARPLY JERKING TO THE RIGHT ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP IT SOUNDS AS IF THE CAR IF GOING TO FALL INTO PEICES IM A DISABLED MOM WITH ONE ONE THE WAY I CAN'T DRIVE FOR FEAR IM GOING TO LOSE THE WHEEL AND CRASH
NHTSA ODI #11374022SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION OF HIS REAR BRAKES, HE NOTICED EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE REAR TRAILING ARMS LOCATED BY THE COIL SPRINGS. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V123000 (SUSPENSION) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPE…
NHTSA ODI #11361082SUSPENSION
THIS SANTA FE HAS A REAR RIGHT TRAILING ARM THAT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAS ALSO DISINTEGRATED THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY, WHEEL HUB, EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND SPRING. I CHECKED THE WEBSITE FOR A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, BUT THIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN THE NOR…
NHTSA ODI #11316877SUSPENSION
FRAME RUSTED THROUGH ON AT LEAST LEFT SIDE WHERE THE CONTROL ARM IS BOLTED.. PREVIOUSLY REAR TRAILING ARM RUSTED THROUGH.
NHTSA ODI #11234120+ 163 more complaints on record.





