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2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Auto FWD

The 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Auto FWD is a 181-hp V6 with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $19,599 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The Santa Fe measures 177.2 inches long on a 103.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,720 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$19,599 ($35,407 *)
MSRP with Destination$20,094 ($36,301 *)
Destination Charge$495
Engine
Engine TypeDelta G6BA 2.7L DOHC V6, MPI, naturally aspirated
Horsepower181 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 24-valve
Bore and Stroke86.7 x 75
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Injection TypeMulti-point fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 in
Wheels Rear16 in
Tires FrontP225/70R16
Tires RearP225/70R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length177.2 in
Width72.6 in
Height65.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Ground Clearance7.4 in
Cargo Volume78 ft³
Curb Weight3,720 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front39.6 in
Headroom Rear39.2 in
Legroom Front41.6 in
Legroom Rear36.8 in
Shoulder Room Front56.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear56.5 in
Hip Room Front54.3 in
Hip Room Rear54.3 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★
Tested variant: 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai SANTA FE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jul 18, 2014 · 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, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.

Consequence: If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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

Apr 16, 2009 · SUSPENSION: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 JURISDICTIONS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MAY RESULT IN PROGRESSIVE, INTERNAL CORROSION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARMS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THINNING OR PERFORATION OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM STEEL. OWNERS MAY SEE OR FEEL SLIGHT TO MODERATE CHANGES IN VEHICLE OPERATION WHICH WILL INCREASE IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED. THESE CHANGES INCLUDE A LOWERING OF VEHICLE HEIGHT THAT CAN LEAD TO TIRE MISALIGNMENT AND STEERING PULL. OWNERS MAY ALSO NOTICE A CREAKING SOUND.

Consequence: IF THE CORROSION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THE REAR TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

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 TO ARREST THE CORROSION PROCESS. INSPECTION, TREATMENT AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT NO COST TO OWNERS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

NHTSA campaign 09V123000

Dec 18, 2003 · EQUIPMENT: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."

Consequence: THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

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

Jan 2, 2003 · ELECTRICAL 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.

Consequence: A DAMAGED CPS CAPACITOR COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING.

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

171 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai SANTA FE

Owner Complaints

171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Hyundai SANTA FE (9 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Suspension60
Service Brakes21
Structure17
Steering16
Engine And Engine Cooling15
Power Train15
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 8, 2023 · 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.”
Oct 15, 2021 · Service Brakes Crash
“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…”
Mar 3, 2021 · Suspension, 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…”
Feb 5, 2021 · Suspension
“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…”
Nov 10, 2020 · Suspension, 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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2002 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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