Overview & Reviews

Entering its second year of production, the Santa Fe gets four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment as well as an optional upgraded stereo system. In May 2002, Hyundai responds to customer requests and makes a power sunroof optional for GLS and LX models. Besides that, all models benefit from midyear interior upgrades, among these larger air conditioning vents; a center stack-mounted clock; illumination for the power window buttons and glovebox; chrome accents; ISOFIX child-seat anchors for the outboard rear seating positions and an improved rear-seat recliner and folding mechanism. In September 2002, Hyundai announced that it had misstated the horsepower ratings for all of the models in its lineup -- the Santa Fe's 2.4-liter four-cylinder is now rated for 138 hp and its V6 is now at 173 hp. To compensate, the company is offering Hyundai owners (of 2000 models and newer) three options: 10 years of roadside assistance, 6-year/72,000-mile basic warranty coverage or 12-year/120,000-mile powertrain coverage.

• Relatively inexpensive price, super warranty, roomy interior.

• Unimpressive four-wheeling capability, underwhelming powertrain performance.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 251.00

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  A piece of garbage ! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Phil533 - January 10 - 3:10 am

  Save your money. Ive had this car for less than 4 years and Ive had the following problems : 1) Cruise control unit replaced. 2) Sunroof leaked 3 times. 3) Power steering pump replaced 4) Fuel sending unit replaced. 5) radio replaced. 6) Rear sway bar bushings replaced. 7) ABS pump replaced 8) Leaking transaxle This piece of junk has lousy resale value, has been in the shop more than its been on the road and the cost of preventative maintance is unbelievable. $500 for spark plugs ???? I have spent a fortune taking care of this car and it is the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mkrentzin - November 4 - 12:46 pm

  Engine light kept coming on. Returned to dealer 6 times. Dealer kept saying they found the problem. Within two weeks engine light came on again. Once would not start at all. Then the oil light started to come on and finally it started to heat up. All this with 22000 miles. Finally the dealer admitted they could not repair the car and they had problems with the four - cylindar engine.

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  Hyundai Warranty and Brake Quality - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John Got Beat - October 8 - 8:56 am

  I have a 2002 Santa Fe GlS with less than 30,000 miles and had to get 3 brake jobs and 4 new rotors for the SUV. Hyundai says it is the way I drive but my Toyota Highlander is driven more, gets better gas milage and pick up and has no issue with its brakes. Each change is $700 to $1200 dollars. Add that to the price of the car every 9,000 miles and see if you are happy. My engine is now sounding as if the lifters are going which they can not hear untill the warranty is over. My radio display is gone, Just missed warranty! Nothing was covered by the "warranty" which they tell you to read the fine print! GOODBY HYUNDAI AND WELCOME BACK TOYOTA!!!!!! AT LEAST THEY HAVE PROVEN QUALITY.

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  Could have been built better - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pfehrman - July 19 - 3:36 pm

  The assumption that a car must be good based on a 100,000 mile warranty is faulty; especially when it does not transfer to a new owner. I purchased this vehicle from a dealer, used, and then was told it needed $2,000.00 worth of required maintenance to keep from voiding the warranty. After that I had constant problems with the brakes, and transmission. Coming back from Florida one time, the car began to buck and jerk for more than 400 miles. We took it to a couple of places and were told that it was a transmission sensor. After paying many hundreds of dollars for repairs, we still are having transmission type issues, along with a brake fluid leak, and other continued brake issues.

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  warranty does not matter - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By margot - January 30 - 1:00 pm

  I purchased a Hyundai because of the warranty. However, everything major that could go wrong with the car did (transmission, power steering, axle) and continued after the bumper to bumper warranty expired. Most of the Hyundai dealers closed, so you have to drive 15 miles to service a vehicle under warranty. Not a good sign. Also, the dealer I serviced it at, L.A. City Hyundai, would not cooperate with the manufacturer when warranty issues arose. I would never buy a Hyundai, regardless of the price or how long the warranty is. The aggravation of breaking down and having to pay for a rental car and waiting days for a part is not worth any warranty. I need a car that is reliable.

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  Worst Car I ever owned!! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By raalex82 - April 5 - 5:39 pm

  When I purchased my 2002 Santa fe in 2006 I thought I had found a great deal. It had only 45k miles on it with one previous owner. The first couple years were great...then the problems began. At 80k my transmission was replaced. At about 100k everything started leaking from engine coolant to power steering fluid. Then to top it all off I was driving on the freeway 2 days after an oil change and my engine started knocking and I as I was trying to get over to pull off the road it began to smoke. When I popped the hood there was a small engine fire. Needless to say I needed a new engine, but opted to get rid of it. I had already spent close to $5,000 in repairs and was done.