2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Auto FWD
All photo credits
- Photo: 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4WD, front left, 09-10-2022 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe GL V6 in Nordic White Over Light Grey Two-Tone, Front Right, 03-05-2023 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: HYUNDAI SANTA FE (SM) China by Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS, rear left, 03-21-2026 by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe TD 2.0 Rear by Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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 Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $19,599 ($35,407 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $20,094 ($36,301 *) |
| Destination Charge | $495 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Delta G6BA 2.7L DOHC V6, MPI, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 24-valve |
| Bore and Stroke | 86.7 x 75 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Injection Type | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 17 MPG |
| Highway | 23 MPG |
| Combined | 19 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 in |
| Wheels Rear | 16 in |
| Tires Front | P225/70R16 |
| Tires Rear | P225/70R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 177.2 in |
| Width | 72.6 in |
| Height | 65.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | 7.4 in |
| Cargo Volume | 78 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,720 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39.6 in |
| Headroom Rear | 39.2 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.6 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.3 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 56.5 in |
| Hip Room Front | 54.3 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 54.3 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Auto FWD with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
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
| Suspension | 60 |
| Service Brakes | 21 |
| Structure | 17 |
| Steering | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 15 |
| Power Train | 15 |
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.