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Hyundai Santa Fe 2001 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Hyundai Santa Fe review: 2000-2015

Hyundai Santa Fe is a large wagon that began as a real 4WD, not simply an SUV. The South Korean company understood the way buyer preferences were heading and it became a comfortable SUV, but retained some unsealed-road capability. 

Hyundai Santa Fe first arrived in Australia in 2000. While some saw it’s somewhat over-the-top styling as a turn off others appreciated that the South Korean designers were having a go at being different. 

However, the all-new and larger model, launched in 2006, took a safer styling path, being more mainstream. The change in shape paid off and there was considerably more buyer interest.

The third generation Santa Fe, reached us in October 2012. It is longer and wider than its predecessors, again it was marketed as a practical station wagon not a 4WD. It received a midlife makeover in November 2015 but as yet we haven’t seen any of these on the used-car market.

There's good legroom in the rear of the original model, but some of that is due to limiting the legroom in the front seats. The Santa Fe from May 2006 was larger than its ancestors and a third-row seat option was offered as an option. 

There’s good luggage space, including side bins and hidden storage space under the floor panel. As is common in this class the third row of seats steals a substantial amount of boot volume. A retractable blind and luggage net improve security and safety. 

Ride comfort is generally good and was noticeably improved with each new model. Over the years more and more input from Australian suspension engineers was incorporated in the Santa Fe. Don’t expect a low-cost BMW or Merc, though. In the bush the Santa Fe copes well with corrugations on dirt roads. Off-road it provides pretty good comfort if the driver behaves in a commonsense way.

Santa Fe originally arrived only with a 2.7-litre V6 engine, but the range was expanded in 2001 when a four-cylinder 2.4-litre engine was added to the choice. But, the four-cylinder engine wasn’t all that popular and was taken off the Australian market towards the end of 2003. 

From late 2006, Hyundai offered its Santa Fe with a turbo-diesel engine. The potential fuel savings make it worth hunting down.

Four-cylinder powerplants in the 2012 new-generation Santa Fe range are exceptional units, with big grunt in the petrol, and even more in the turbo-diesel.

Santa Fe is simple in its mechanical design and the good home mechanic will find that they are able to do much of the work. It always pays to have a good workshop manual at hand. But please don’t attempt any safety related repairs unless you really know what you are doing.

The Hyundai dealer network is large. Dealers aren't that common in the bush, but the number is growing steadily. Check your local area to make sure spares and service are on offer close handy. 

Spare part prices are about average for this class and we seldom here of any real problems with them being in stock.

Insurance charges are moderate, though there does seem to be a bigger than average spread of premiums between companies. I’s worth taking the time to shop around for the best deal, as always make sure you do an accurate comparison.

Build quality is generally good, but there can be the occasional rough one.

Check that the engine starts easily, that it pulls well and doesn’t hesitate when accelerated suddenly.

Make sure the transmission operates smoothly and easily and that there are no funny noises from the driveshafts and universal joints.

Look over the interior for signs of it having had a hard time at the hands of uncaring children. 

Look for fine scratches in the paint where a Santa Fe has been squeezed past branches during off road trips. Deeper scratches are likely to have been caused by trees or rocks and may require expensive panel repairs.

The body corners and doors sills are often the first to suffer. Also look at the protection plates under the engine for damage.

White stains on or under the body may be the residue of salt water picked up during a trip to the beach. Salt water can create corrosion very quickly if it gets under the paint.

Read the article
Used Hyundai Santa Fe review: 2000-2013

Hyundai Santa Fe is a popular Korean vehicle that has had several stages in its life. It began as a light-duty 4WD, not simply an SUV, but reflected buyer needs by recently moving into station wagon territory, though still with some unsealed-road capability. 

There's good legroom in the rear of the older models, but some of that is due to limiting the legroom in the front seats. The Santa Fe from May 2006 was larger than its ancestors and a third-row seat option was offered as an option. Try before you buy, preferably by taking the whole family on your test drive. 

There's good luggage space, including side bins and hidden storage space under the floor panel. A retractable blind and luggage net combine to improve safety and security. Luggage space is good in those with two rows of seats. As in any vehicle of this size, the extra row of seats takes a lot of room out of the boot area. 

Hyundai Santa Fe first arrived in Australia in 2000. While some saw it's somewhat over-the-top styling as a turn off others appreciated that the South Korean designers were having a go at being different. 

However, the all-new and larger model, launched in 2006, took a safer styling path, being more mainstream. The change in shape paid off and there was considerably more buyer interest. 

The third generation Santa Fe, is longer and wider than its predecessors, but in a sign of the times, is lower and is marketed as a practical station wagon not a 4WD.

Ride comfort is generally good and improved with each new generation. Handling is nicely sorted for Australian conditions, from the start the Korean suspension guys had a good feel for what Australian drivers like in their vehicles. Over the years more and more input was added to all vehicles in the Hyundai range by Australian chassis engineers. In the bush the Santa Fe copes well with corrugations.

Santa Fe originally arrived only with a 2.7-litre V6 engine, but the range was expanded in 2001 when a four-cylinder 2.4-litre engine was added to the choice. But, the four-cylinder engine wasn't all that popular and was taken off the Australian market towards the end of 2003. 

From late 2006, Hyundai offered its Santa Fe with a turbo-diesel engine for the first time in Australia. The potential fuel savings make it worth hunting down.

Four-cylinder powerplants in the 2012 new-generation Santa Fe range are exceptional units, with big grunt in the petrol, and even more in the turbo-diesel.

Santa Fe is fairly traditional in its mechanical makeup and the good home mechanic will find that they are able to do much of the work. It always pays to have a good workshop manual at hand, and don't attempt any safety related repairs unless you really know what you are doing.

The Hyundai dealer network is large and the company is well represented in most areas of Australia, though, obviously the big push is in the metro areas. Dealers aren't that common in the bush, but the number is growing steadily. Check your local area to make sure spares and service are on offer close handy. Spare part prices are about average for this class and we seldom here of any real problems with them being in stock.

Insurance charges are moderate, though there does seem to be a bigger than average spread of premiums between companies. So it's worth taking the time to shop around for the best deal for your circumstances.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Check for signs of underbody damage caused by harsh off-road use. The body corners and doors sills are often the first to suffer. Also look at the protection plates under the engine for damage. While you are under the vehicle look for white stains that may be the residue of salt water picked up during a trip to the beach. Salt water can create corrosion very quickly. However, the Santa Fe's body is well sealed.

Look for fine scratches in the paint where the body has been squeezed past branches. Deeper scratches are likely to have been caused by trees or rocks. Look over the interior for signs of it having had a hard time at the hands of uncaring children. Build quality is generally good, but there can be the occasional rough one.

Check that the engine starts easily, that it pulls well and doesn't hesitate when accelerated suddenly. Make sure the transmission operates smoothly and easily and that there are no funny noises from the driveshafts and universal joints.

CAR BUYING TIP

Fewer and fewer SUVs and 4WDs are going off-road these days. If you do come across a used one that's battled in the bush either expect a lower price, or look elsewhere.

Read the article
Used Hyundai Santa Fe review: 2000-2009

Larger than average for its class, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a popular SUV that can be used as a family car provided the offshoots haven’t reached their hulking-teen stage.

There's good legroom in the rear, but some of that legroom has been gained by stealing space from the front seat occupants. A third-row seat option arrived in the all-new model in 2006. As good luggage space, including side bins and hidden storage space under the floor panel. A retractable blind and luggage net combine to improve safety and security. The rear glass can be opened separately if you don’t want to lift the whole tailgate, a real convenience in cramped carparks.

Off-road Santa Fe's better than average for its class and can cope with harsher conditions than those likely to be demanded by the typical owner. It really is a 4WD, not simply an SUV. But don’t mistake if for a full house off-roader or you may get yourself into stuck in awkward areas. The Santa Fe first reached Australia in 2000 and sales were moderately good from the start, though it its somewhat over-the-top styling didn’t appeal to everyone.

An all-new, larger, model was launched in May 2006 with a more mainstream look that saw it pick up a lot of buyer interest. The 2006 model was offered with a third row of seats for the first time. As in any vehicle of this size, the extra row of seats steals a lot of the boot area. Ride comfort is generally good and handling is nicely sorted for Australian conditions.

The Koreans really seem to have a feel for what Australian drivers like in their vehicles. In the bush the Santa Fe copes well with corrugations, in the suburbs speed-bumps seldom cause any real grief. Santa Fe originally arrived only with the power of Hyundai's 2.7-litre V6 engine, but the range was expanded in 2001 when a four-cylinder 2.4-litre unit arrived. The four-cylinder engine wasn’t all that popular and was taken off the Australian market towards the end of 2003. That’s no reflection on the four-cylinder engine itself and it should make a good used-car buy.

Four-cylinder engines in a car of this size can be a bit of a compromise in performance and Hyundai was smart in only importing it with a five-speed manual version as an automatic could have taken away enough grunt to make it unacceptable for some drivers. All V6-powered Santa Fe models have a four-speed automatic transmission. The V6 auto has a sequential function to give the driver a fair degree of manual control and is useful for getting the best from the engine.

From late 2006, Hyundai offered its Santa Fe with a turbo-diesel engine for the first time in Australia. The potential fuel savings make it worth hunting down. The Hyundai dealer network is large and generally widespread in Australia. Because most Santa Fe 4WDs are used in the metropolitan areas dealers aren't that common in the bush, so check in our local area to make sure spares and service are on offer close handy. Spare parts prices are about average for this class.

Santa Fe is fairly traditional in its mechanical makeup and the good home mechanic will find themselves able to do much of the work. It always pays to have a good workshop manual at hand, and don’t attempt any safety related repairs unless you really know what you are doing.

Insurance charges are moderate, though there does seem to be a bigger than average spread of premiums between companies. So it’s worth taking the time to shop around for the best deal for your circumstances.

Hyundai Santa Fe works extremely well considering it’s the company’s first attempt at a vehicle in this class. It has since been joined by the slightly softer Tucson SUV and the tough Terracan off-roader, thus making Hyundai very much an integral part of the booming Australian 4WD/SUV scene.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Look over the interior for signs of it having had a hard time at the hands of uncaring children. Build quality is generally good, but there can be the occasional rough one.

Check for signs of underbody damage caused by harsh off-road use. The body corners and doors sills are often the first to suffer. Also look at the protection plates under the engine for damage.

While you are under the vehicle look for white stains that may be the residue of salt water picked up during a trip to the beach. Salt water can create corrosion much faster than fresh.

Look for fine scratches in the paint where the body has been squeezed past branches. Deeper scratches are likely to have been caused by trees or rocks.

Check that the engine starts easily, that it pulls well and doesn’t hesitate when accelerated suddenly.

Make sure the transmission operates smoothly and easily and that there are no funny noises from the driveshafts and universal joints.

CAR BUYING TIP

Beware the SUV that has been taken to off-road areas by people that don’t know a lot about driving on unsealed surfaces. It may have suffered body, underbody and even suspension damage.
 

Read the article
Hyundai Santa Fe 2001: Is it good for touring?

IT SEEMS you've bought a well-maintained car in good condition -- a great start. It's impossible to say nothing will go wrong with it, but the Santa Fe is a generally reliable and robust car so the chances are minimal. I strongly recommend you have it serviced.

Hyundai Santa Fe 2001: Flywheel not compatible with clutch

ABSOLUTELY yes. Take it up with Hyundai directly. It seems you have been given the run-around by the dealer and the company needs to know. The clutch would probably need to be replaced when the flywheel was changed as they are most likely to be different, but Hyundai should cop the cost. It sounds like a design problem. And it could be a cause of your belt failures and your ignition problems.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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