Hyundai Santa Fe Generation 1 (2001–2006)

Hyundai Santa Fe Generation 1 (2001–2006) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Hyundai Santa Fe — body generations

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Santa Fe

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

About this generation

In its first year in production, the Santa Fe was offered with one of two engine and transmission combinations. In North America, a fuel-efficient 2.4 L four-cylinder engine was standard equipment and could be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. A Delta V6 offered more power than the four-cylinder but was only available with the automatic. Front-wheel drive was standard (with traction control optional with the V6) and 4WD was optional.

A 2.0 L Common Rail Turbo Diesel (CRTD) was offered outside the United States. Australian Santa Fes went on sale in November 2000 with only one engine/transmission choice – a 2.7L V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. 4WD was standard. A cheaper 2.4L four-cylinder joined the range several months later in 2001, but was only available with a manual transmission. The Santa Fe entered its second year with only one minor change involving the placement of the V6 emblem to a higher location on the tailgate.

In February 2002, the centre dash vents and buttons were restyled. The clock was relocated to the centre dash from its prior location in the overhead map light assembly, which was also restyled. In April 2002, seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags were made standard for front occupants. Demand for the Santa Fe continued to be up but owners had several suggested changes for Hyundai. In a rare mid-year model change, Hyundai increased fuel tank capacity from and a sunroof option was added in May 2002.

At the same time, chrome interior door handles replaced matte gray handles and a chrome shifter gate on automatic equipped models replaced matte silver gate trim. Few models also received a factory alarm confirmation chirp feature when locked twice via remote, but was rarely equipped until the 2003 model began production. In 2003, Hyundai responded to some of the customer complaints and suggestions such as the fact that the bonnet used a prop and not gas struts, there was no light in the glove compartment, and the car itself did not have enough power.

In 2003, Hyundai introduced the 3.5-litre V6 in addition to the other two petrol engines in North America. The bigger engine came with a computer-controlled four-wheel drive system and a 5-speed automatic, based on the standard 4-speed. A Monsoon high-performance sound system came standard on the mid-level GLS model and came with a 6-disc CD changer on the top-tier LX. Rounding out the changes in the 2003 model was the discontinuation of the highly unpopular Pine Green which in some owner circles has gained the nickname 'Yucky Green'.

In Australia, the four-cylinder Santa Fe was dropped in 2003, due to slow sales, leaving the 2.7L V6 automatic as the only model. Hyundai continued to post sales records with the Santa Fe as it rolled into 2004 with very minor changes. The manual climate controls on the base GL and mid-line GLS were revised very slightly. The remote keyless entry confirmation 'chirp' when the 'LOCK' button on the remote was pressed twice became standard.

Midway through the year the AM/FM antenna was moved from on the glass in the rear driver's side window to a three-inch (76 mm) rubber antenna in the centre of the roof just above the tailgate. The Santa Fe received its final facelift for 2005. Changes were made to the grille, tail lights, rear bumper, interior instrument cluster. The instrument cluster was redesigned with the speedometer reading (earlier models only indicated 130 mph) and a better-designed toll ticket slot in the driver's sun visor.

Both sun visors also received extensions so the sun could be blocked out better when coming in from the side. The base Santa Fe was discontinued that time, making way for the Tucson. In Australia, all models received body-coloured (painted) bumpers from 2005 on. The colour 'Sandstone' was discontinued in favour of a slightly different colour named 'Mocha Frost'.

Source: Wikipedia — Hyundai Santa Fe — First generation (SM; 2000), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.