Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 09V123000 (suspension) in October of 2009. The suspension was treated with a rust proofing material to prevent the failure from occurring. In June of 2015, while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle appeared to be pulling to the left and a crunching noise was present from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear driver side wheel was tilted outward. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear trailing arm fractured due to severe corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Brought my vehicle in for a alignment and they discovered the rusted and corradiated rear left trailing control arm on my 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, I brought to dealership after that to get a recall and the told me that since the vehicle was bought in nd and that state is not included in the recall they will decline the work, even thou minn. Is right next door like I live about 1 mile to mn they still wouldn't except the recall, it is obvious the part that is on recall fits my car, when looking on the right side arm there is no rust or corrosion. The dealer states it is not safe to drive vehicle, because the arm is starting to bend also. So what do I do now, it will be very costly to fix,
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact was not informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V435000 (suspension). Without warning, the front coil spring fractured and the front passenger side tire failed. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified. The contact was waiting on a response from the manufacturer to address the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.
Was backing out of driveway at my daughter's, I was on a side road with no traffic. A large bang and the tire popped. When I had a mechanic come look at it, he said the spring had broke and went into the tire of the front passenger side. The vehicle is still in her driveway. I have owned vehicle for about 6 years and never received a recall notice. I was looking up cost and found the recall. I am so glad this was not while I was driving or had my grandkids in the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. After taking the vehicle to a dealer to be serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V435000 (suspension), the failure occurred. While driving at 40 MPH, there was abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
The rear end of my Santa Fe has rusted through and the back wheels will not track in a straight line. Hyundai had a recall nr 09V123000 in 4/16/2009 to fix this exact problem but according to Hyundai customer assistance, this recall does not apply to me because my Santa Fe wasn't purchased or registered in a specific state. My grandson was driving the car and nearly wrecked. Hyundai wouldn't even offer a tow into a dealership to inspect the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle started to leak oil after it was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V435000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed but was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Currently there is a noise up front of the car and in the rear a friend that was riding in my car indicated that it May be a suspension problem. He also noted that there was a class action suit with Hyundai about a subframe rust corrosion issue. The noise has become quite noticeable he believes might certainly be related
Left front trailer arm came off while driving, tire came off vehicle. Sub frame rusted through. Car used to be kept in one of the salt belt states. No recall to this part according to Hyundai, only recall for coil spring and rear trailer arm.
Rear trailing arm corroded and busted while in motion. Caused rear end to collapse and fishtail. Passenger side snapped, drivers side is very corroded. Just purchased this car a couple weeks ago, had no idea these parts were unstable.
Related recalls
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,…
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.
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,…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Rear trailing arm corrosion failure
In a letter dated April 14, 2009, Hyundai-Kia America technical center, inc (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 85,000 model year (my) 2001 through 2003 Hyundai santa fe vehicles manufactured prior to January 27, 2003, that are registered and operated in the following salt belt states and the district of columbia:connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine,…
Suspension complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, 18% of the model year's 308 complaints. The component named most often is rear (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-435 (coil springs, Jul 18, 2014); NHTSA recall 09V-123 (rear, Apr 16, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.