Questions and Answers

Hyundai Sante Fe Charging? Q. Vincent, I am looking into buying a 2003 Hyundai Sante Fe, 6 cylinder. I have talked to numerous people about this vehicle and have heard pretty good reports. Just recently I have talked to a few people who have told me about a problem with the electrical system. When they accelerate the lights go bright and when they let off the gas they dim.

They said it was worse when the A/C was on. I did not ask them if they had the 4 cylinder or not. I know about the underpowered cylinder. Is this also true in the 6 cylinder? Have you heard of this electrical problem? One person told me that they had the same problem with a Hyundai Tiburon, true? We really like the Sante Fe but would not like to have those sort of problems.

Any help you could give on this issue or others you have heard of would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Barry & Donna

A. There was a TSB, Number, 02-36-021, August 1, 2002 with an updated alternator for the 2002 3.7 Santa Fe.

There was another TSB, Number 02-36-027, issued October 1, 2002 entitled; Lighting - Brief and or Slight Head lamp Dimming Explanation where it says the dimming is normal.

Then here was another TSB, Number 02-36-015-1, issued November 4, 2002 concerning a similar problem such as you describe, but that pertained to the 2001 and 2002 Santa Fe 2.7.

So, now you know a little more and hopefully it'll help you make the right decision.