Sell your 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe for cash

The 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.4L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl engines. At 24 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 2002 Santa Fe in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 2002 Santa Fe

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy16–18 city / 21–25 highway / 18–20 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,350–$3,700 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂444–494 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: Santa Fe 2WD, Santa Fe 4WD
Age24 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 24 years old, most of a 2002 Santa Fe's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a SUV, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2002 Santa Fe. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the suspension, typically around 150,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SuspensionJul 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V435000

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, Illinois…

Risk: If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

SuspensionApr 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V123000

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, wisconsin…

Risk: If the corrosion is allowed to progress, the rear trailing arm may fracture while driving, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

EquipmentDec 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V520000

Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."

Risk: The tire pressure labels do not contain the information required by the standard.

Electrical SystemJan 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V030000

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. Internal gaps within the cases allowed epoxy to contact the printed circuit board, which resulted in…

Risk: A damaged cps capacitor could result in engine stalling.

Common 2002 Santa Fe problems

Owners have filed 165 complaints about the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA. 9 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 6 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Suspension40
  • Steering15
  • Suspension15
  • Vehicle Speed Control15
  • Engine10
  • Service Brakes10

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Suspension150,000 mi
  • Steering151,000 mi
  • Suspension130,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control101,000 mi
  • Engine114,000 mi
  • Service Brakes148,000 mi

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 DrNot rated——★★★☆☆—

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2002 Hyundai Santa Fe service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 52 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System4
  • Power Train4
  • Service Brakes4
  • Equipment3
  • Equipment Adaptive/Mobility3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling2

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsOct 2026 · 26-EM-016H TSB

    Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning pr

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsOct 2026 · 26-EM-015H TSB

    Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair proce

  • OtherApr 2026 · DTN DCS

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured

  • OtherApr 2026 · DTN DL

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver's-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin P

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe.

SuspensionEA08023 · opened Oct 2008, closed Apr 2009Led to recall 09V123000

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 bel

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

‹ Sell a 2001 Santa Fe · Sell a 2003 Santa Fe › · All Hyundai Santa Fe years

Other 2002 Hyundai models

Selling a 2002 Santa Fe: questions

How much is a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2002 Santa Fe that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2002 Santa Fes that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2002 Santa Fe with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2002 Santa Fe?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 2002 Santa Fe today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer
Get my offer