Overview & Reviews

For 2001, Hyundai comes to market with its very own sport-utility. The Santa Fe is based on a modified Sonata midsize car platform and is available with either front-wheel drive or full-time four-wheel drive with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine.

• Relatively inexpensive price, super warranty, roomy interior.

• Unproven reliability, unimpressive four-wheeling capability, underwhelming powertrain performance.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 82.00

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  What a lemon! - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MICHELLE - June 14 - 2:00 am

  After 3 months of owning my Santa Fe my nightmares began. In the first 10 months I had it in the shop for service 14 times. Ive had my Santa Fe 2 1/2 years and have had a new engine, on going transmission problems, on going electrical problems, Im on my 4th battery, brake problems, cabling in my doors replaced, 2 transmission sencors replaced, rear differential problem (replaced carrier)all covered under warrenty but only after review of service and maintenance of the vehicle

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  Unrealiable - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Terhi Millard - June 1 - 2:16 am

  I bought this vehicle, in Apr 04, when it first came off lease; it had a total of 50K. In Dec I had the altinator replaced by my mechanic. I then had a problem with the vehicle stalling. It turned out that the coolant temperature sensor needed to be replaced, which ended up costing me $107 however, they did replace and reprogram two o2 sensors, since this problem was under recall. In Mar of 05, I again had a problem with the vehicle stalling. I had it towed to my mechanic for a price of $90. It turns out that the right wheel bearing needed replacing. The driver side wheel bearing has now been replaced 3 times. THere is also a burning rubber smell inside. Frustrated

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  Great SUV..Until over 90K miles - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Melony - May 19 - 1:20 pm

  I really enjoyed this vehicle, and hoped it would last a lot longer; I certainly wasnt ready to see it go. I had one of the 89 Hyundais, standard transmission, and the trans went out at 60K, so I knew it was short lived...I only had it in the shop a few times, and at 97k miles, the check engine light came on again, and I had a gut feeling it was bad. I didnt take it to repair, I drove straight to the nearest dealer and traded in (not another Hyundai). The dealer called the next day wanting to know what the trick was to starting it. Evidently they couldnt start it (I hadnt had that problem) when they went to wholesale it. Long story short, BAD NEWS, the engine evidently bit the dust

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  50000 miles and NO PROBLEMS - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By wshadow1@netzero.net - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I cant say enough about the quality and performance of this vehicle for the last 50000 miles ( and my sons Sante Fe for the last 60000 miles). Other than a minor recall for a possible rusting oxygen sensor, both vehicles have NOT had 1 problem. This vehicle is about the same size as a Lexus RX300 AND AT LESS THAN HALF THE PRICE. Yes, Hyundai have had a bad reputation over the years but this is changing rapidly---wait till the maintainance stats start coming in. Take a look--you will be surprised.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Thomas Lindsey - April 29 - 2:43 pm

  I bought this vehicle in 2001 just a couple months after the release. Today, I have 89,000 miles on it and I have been pleased with its performance over the last 7 years. Ive been to the dealer for only a few minor problems, the last and biggest was the power steering pump which was covered under my extended warranty. Ive been pleased by the total package; AWD, comfort, reliability, performance, etc. I know this car doesnt do any one thing extremely well, but it does everything pretty darn well. Its well-rounded and solid. My only real complaint has been the paint. I feel like the color coat is about 1mm thick. Its fading, scratches MUCH too easily, and no clear coat of which to speak.

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  Its Nice :) - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Estrellas701 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  40000mi-previous owner Interior fabric is soft/exterior is durable Roomy-keep finding hidden drawers Shiftronic is AWESOME Drove 800 mile trip w/5 people & camping gear-could still see out bk window-27 mi/g Comes with very nice tires-full spare-NOT on bk door-bumper bash not so awful Fog lamps & brights=instant daylight Window tint is inside the glass-wont scratch/bubble Alarm system easy to ad on to Hauls trailer uphill w/ease Takes off road much better than expected-full skid plate Acceleration & stopping better than most Trans sensor failed- dealership fixed for free under warranty Otherwise=bang 4 your buck Lots of features included in MSRP

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  Worst Suv Ever - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By B-E-N-I-T-O - February 9 - 3:46 pm

  Well stating I have only had my Santa- fe for a few months now I must say I will never by another Hyundai ever again. The santa-fe is built cheap compared to other foreign models. The parts are extremely expensive. Parts are not high quality, transmission have many problems. Heated seat got so hot it burnt a hole in my drivers seat, center-console it very cheap plastic. Has left me stranded 3 times now and with a nice Wrecker bill also.

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  Saved My Life - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By megiejay1684 - February 6 - 6:52 pm

  Although I cannot attest to the logevity of this vehicle (as I only had it for about 6 months) I can definetly say that it is extremely safe. I was in a head on collision on my way to work one morning, hit by a lifted 90-something Ford F-250 going about 60+ miles/hr. This Santa Fe did exactly what it was designed to do by crumpling the engine area, and other than the fact that the front end of the vehicle was smashed like an accordian, the rest of cabin area and the car was completely fine. I only walked away with a small break in my ankle, which was from me bracing myself as I tried to brake. I, as well as the paramedics on site, believe whole-heartedly that this vehicle saved my life.

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  Quality check needed - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kona - January 12 - 10:00 am

  In less than a year a console latch has broken, one heated seat does not work, and a lettering fell off the outside of the vehicle. Warranty, has though, covered it.

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  Best Car Ive Owned in Years - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SVC - January 1 - 11:40 pm

  In 155000 miles I have replaced the drivers side sun visor, the rear hatch locking mechanism and the drivers side seat heater. Thats the end of the list. Our Santa Fe consistently gets 24 MPG highway while delivering a comfortable ride and good handling. This car has been very well maintained so it still looks great and runs great. Probably the most "bang for the buck" that I have ever gotten in an automobile. I expect to get at least another 100k miles on this car.