Model year guide

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 104 on record.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints308
Combined19 mpg
Typical price$1,870

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls 4

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #14V435000 · 18/07/2014

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, Minnesota, Missouri, New Ha…

Fix: 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.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #09V123000 · 16/04/2009

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 JURISDICTIONS DURING THE W…

Fix: 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 …

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #03V520000 · 18/12/2003

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."

Fix: 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #04V131000 · 16/03/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRON…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,317

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe worth?

Low
$850
Typical price
$1,870
High
$3,300

From 100 comparable 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,585
Fuel only$16,585
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS · LX · Base
Engines
2.7L · 3.5L · 2.4L

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles on record

Other Hyundai Santa Fe model years

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Based on 308 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, wheels, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe at about 19 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe worth?

Comparable 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe listings run roughly $850–$3,300, typically around $1,870 (from 100 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.