Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The suv stalls while driving. This has happened multiple time. While driving, driving slow, taking a u turn. The battery, alternator, starter, power steering pump, water pump, rack and pinion, timing belt, serpentine belt, idler pulley, harmonic balancer, front axles, shocks, struts, some sensors, spark plugs/wires, gaskets, and many other parts are replaced in the last year. Don't know what is wrong but it is scary when it stalls suddenly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft position sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V030000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Suspension /check engine light /lower ball joint: dealer replace @54,353 miles, lower arm in 2004 and 8/2006 replacement is needed I have taken my 2001 Santa Fe to dealer 8 plus times for check engine light and was told found tether on gas cap not letting cap close tight enough /moved tether and ran EVAP test and check out OK . I was told cap loose 8 plus times this problem is on going. Return to dealer for jerk transmission issues I have to push the accelerator pedal to the floor and it takes off slow and once gets power the car jerks starts as if the gears or not switching over. Dealer said do the pressure in gas cap and gas cap not closed tight enough eval test was done. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai sante Fe. The check engine lights illuminated and the vehicle will not shift properly. While driving 55 MPH and shifting gears,the gear stuck from fourth to third gear. The contact turned the vehicle off. The vehicle operated normally once it was restarted. The failure usually occurred during rainy or damp conditions. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was due to a cracked crankshaft. The vehicle was inspected, and the crankshaft was replaced on March 30, 2004. After the crankshaft was replaced there were no occurrences until May 2005 and August 2005, when the coil was replaced. The vehicle operated normally until November 2006. The current and failure mileage was 88,000. The consumer has provided a recall for the electrical system pertaining to the crankshaft positioner and invoices for the repairs. …
I am a medical personnel and work night hours. I own a Hyundai Santa Fe 2001 and have electrical problems. The car running but at stop cannot handle headlights, heater, radio and internal lights, which is a problem if I were ever stuck. It has happened in summer and winter and can be dangerous if I'm stranded. I have brought this vehicle to 2 different Hyundai dealers and there are no problems found, yet I brought my vehicle to pep boys and sears and they said my battery was failing. I replaced battery at sear's 3 months ago and lights are starting to dim again. The response from Hyundai service department was to turn off headlights? Isn't that dangerous?
Dt: the contact stated that while parking put the vehicle in reverse then drive and the tachometer went to the red zone. Although the contact's foot was on the brake the vehicle moved approximately 15 feet forward in 30 seconds. Then, he then the vehicle off and back on, and the problem was gone. This repeated a week later. He had the vehicle towed to the dealership, who determined that the battery was run down and needed to be replaced. The dealership was unable to diagnose the cause of the problem. They ruled out a cruise control because it has never been used. Update 1/4/2006 -
While being in park - engine will surge - rpms jump to about 6,000 and accelerates like it wants to go. I will put car in drive and rpms come down but still wants to accelerate. This same thing happens even at stop sign - with foot on brake. Car unintentionally accelerates on its on once foot comes off brake. Check engine light May or May not be on. Very scary situation and almost scared to drive it. This happens every now and then but lately it has been going on for several days. Noticed the problem about 3 months ago.
Dt:the contact stated the cps capacitor that is with the crank shaft position sensor is not working properly and as a result the vehicle stalled on the freeway. The dealership ran a diagnostic test and this problem came up as a critical code. The consumer found NHTSA recall 03V030000 for this problem but the dealership told her this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. Updated 2/7/2006 -
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. On a second occasion, the vehicle stalled and all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 163,000. Updated 03/24/15
The car was making a grinding noise when I shifted from drive to park and reverse. I took it back to the dealership where I had purchased the car the day before and while in park at the dealership the car's starter caught on fire and was put out by the mechanic. No injuries, thank goodness it happened at the dealership and a fire extinquisher was available!!
Related recalls
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.
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…
Electrical complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe, 17% of the model year's 209 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-030 (starter assembly, Jan 2, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.