2003 Hyundai Santa Fe Hyundai Santa Fe 2003

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe repairs by problem area

Engine (27%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (31%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 93 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (4%)

$100 - $499 (32%)

< $100 (44%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 25 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

Engine not specified

57040 mi

C $262
Rad pipe was leaking. Pipe was replaced. 

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

turbocharged 111hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual AWD

135000 mi Fuel tank leaking. Covered under warranty 
75020 mi

$100
Diesel injector repair 

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

200-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

67900 mi

US $3500
Engine was replaced due to failure. Metal found in oil. Possibly "threw a rod"? 

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

200-horsepower 3.5L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

64000 mi

US $371
engine would not start, was a vacuum leak at the intake manifold. 
148800 mi

C $2200
Harmonic Balancer Replaced 

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

173-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD

116700 mi

US $400
Cracked pipe 
131000 mi

US $250
Replaced pieces of the exhaust piping 
138000 mi During an oil change, the mechanic reported that oil was bleeding through the reservoir. Rust. Trying to find out whether there is a recall on this. 
32000 mi drive pulley on crankshaft seperated and fell off vehicle 
71900 mi

US $1190
Belt broke and caused damage to boot. Had to replace axle 

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

173-horsepower 2.7L V6 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

75000 mi

US $550
Diesel sound continued for from original post. Was fed up and brought back into shop. They replaced the cam chains AGAIN. This time it worked! 
131000 mi Replaced spark plug wires. Car was misfiring in wet weather. 
135000 mi

US $1
Replace crank position sensor. Check engine lite code indicated sensor failed. Sensor wire insulation was damaged due to age and heat exposure. 
99200 mi

C $107
Replaced TPS-sensor 
132000 mi

US $300
oil leak, gasket replaced 
145000 mi coolant leak. Strong smell of burning coolant 
92000 mi

US $76
crankshaft position sensor had frayed wires that made intermittent contact with car jerk resulting. 
137000 mi

US $100
gasket in oil cap had dried up and no longer sealed. Replaced o-ring. Replaced old spark plugs and ignition wires. 
157000 mi

US $29
Had a leaky oil pan. Replaced the seal with RTV. 
166000 mi

US $5
Replaced after market oil filter that was causing a knocking noise on start up after a few days of sitting. Never had this happen before, and will stay with OEM oil filters from now on. 

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

138-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

43400 mi

$1000
After engine tuning, found air intake sensor was defective. 

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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe 4dr SUV

138-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed shiftable automatic FWD

197000 mi

US $1200
Catalytic converter had to be replaced. 
158000 mi

US $45
EGR valve (cleaned), which it needed to be, but the biggest problem was the EGR vacuum solenoid, which needed to be replaced. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Hyundai models.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.