2005 Hyundai Santa FE

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 216 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
79,500 milesMedian miles at failure

175 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags67
406
Vehicle Speed Control32
702
Suspension13
000
Service Brakes13
201
Fuel/Propulsion System11
002
Engine9
000
Seat Belts7
000
Unknown or Other5
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
000
Electrical System5
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs14V435000
Filed Jul 18, 2014271,773 vehiclesHyundai Motor Company

Defect. 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, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.

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.

Remedy. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.

Air Bags › Frontal05V527000
Filed Nov 17, 2005134 vehiclesHyundai Caribbean-Puerto Rico

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AS AN ADULT.

Risk. THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CRASH OR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A SIDE COLLISION CRASH; SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE'S OCS WILL PROPERLY CLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN WHEN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AND WILL DISABLE THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAGS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN FOR RECOGNITION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

Air Bags05V450000
Filed Oct 4, 200512,000 vehiclesHyundai Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AS AN ADULT.

Risk. THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CRASH OR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A SIDE COLLISION CRASH; SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE'S OCS WILL PROPERLY CLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN WHEN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AND WILL DISABLE THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAGS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN FOR RECOGNITION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 16, 2025CA

While merging onto the freeway, the accelerator pedal got stuck to the floor with the throttle wide open. The brakes and emergency brake were ineffective. Measures had to be taken to drive off of the road into ice plant, we we were able to turn off the engine. Further inspection revealed a missing grommet at the wall where the throttle cable passes through to connect to the gas pedal. Furthermore, the plastic around the throttle cable was cracked, which allows for the throttle cable and pedal to push through and get snagged. This could have ended horrifically. We are lucky to be alive.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Lock
Filed Sep 25, 202499,000 milesWI

The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to open while using the tailgate handle. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2023WI

Car all of a sudden stopped running like normal. Can't go above 20 mph without sounding like backfiring or dying

Air Bags
Filed Mar 13, 2023145,670 milesCA

The airbag light stays on constantly - mechanic says it's the switch in the passenger seat belt and they encounter this problem with this vehicle all the time. Prevents the airbag from deploying if not repaired.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 5, 2023UT

The Air Bag light stays on and from my research the air bag will not work in an accident.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 14, 2022IL

The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 29, 2022NY

Airbag light is constantly on from the time I start the car, until I turn it off, mechanic stated it was the passenger seatbelt buckle switch. I've seen many posts online about the same exact thing happening to them. It poses a safety threat, as the airbags are not going to go off.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 13, 2022WA

Emergency brake light does not turn off even when not used, since I finalized the vehicle when I fill the gas tank up the car doesn’t want to start unless you rev the engine giving it some power, recently the vehicle has been not turning off after keys out of ignition unless pressing on the gas to kick start the engine turn off.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Sep 19, 2021NY

A car in front of me lost control and I braked to avoid an accident but the car turned and had no stability, forcing me to maneuver it to avoid crashing by leaning on my neck.

Service Brakes1 injured
Filed Nov 12, 2020NV

I HAVE BEEN GETTING ELECTRICAL SHOCKS FROM MY CAR AROUND THE WELL OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE 7 SERVICE BULLITANS ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO GO TO URGENT CARE AND THE EMERGENCY ROOM OVER THIS AND THE DOCTOR WAS WORRIED THAT I MAY HAVE NERVE DAMAGE TO MY FOOT OVER THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HELP WITH THIS AND HYUNDAI WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS. I HAVE WOUND UP IN THE HOSPITAL OVER THIS AND FEEL THAT THIS IS HIGHLY UNFAIR. THIS IS DANGEROUS.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 13, 2020114,234 milesID

DRIVERS CHEST SEAT BELT IS LOOSE AND THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT YOU SNAP AND LOCK IT IN PLACE MAKES THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT FOR THE DRIVER ONLY COME ON. I'VE HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND CHECKED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THE SEAT BELT IS DEFECTED, AND CURRENTLY, AS LONG AS THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT REMAINS ON, EVEN IF THEY TURNED IT OFF, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF IMPACTED HARD ENOUGH IN VEHICLE COLLISION. THE AIR BAG IS OKAY AND IN WORKING CONDITION, ITS THE SENSORS IN THE SEAT BELTS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT ARE OUT OF DATE. THE "RED LIGHT" REMAINS ON FROM THE TIME I START THE VEHICLE AND ITS IN PARK, IDLING, MOVING, UP UNTIL WE ARE BACK IDLING, AND THE ENGINE IS OFF. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 1, 2020102,000 milesFL

WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THROTTLE STUCK NEARLY CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. FAULTY TPS SEEN MANY WITH SAME COMPLAINTS..

Air Bags
Filed Oct 22, 2019225,000 milesTN

THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STAYS ON ALL THE TIME WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED ON. THIS INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM AND NEEDS FURTHER EVALUATION. BECAUSE THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON, POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR OCCUPANT SAFETY DURING A CRASH EVENT.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 2019VA

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON FOR A WHILE, THEN IT GOES OUT CHANGES SOMETIMES IN MOTION OR PARKED, NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 20, 2019FL

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON

Air Bags
Filed Jun 19, 2019187,880 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEEHY HYUNDAI OF WALDORF (LOCATED AT 2910 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20601, (301) 812-3318) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,880. *TR CONSUMER STATED ISSUE WAS REPORTED IN 2010/11. IT IS ALSO RELATED TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY AGREED THAT THEY HAVE THE NAME OF THE CONSUMER BUT THEIR SYSTEM CAN'T RETRIEVE SERVICE DETAILS. THE LIGHT IS STILL ON FOR AIR BAG. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 11, 2019106,797 milesNJ

ME AND MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH OUR 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE HELP. I WENT TO HYUNDAI DEALER AND SAID THAT NO INDICATOR OR ENGINE LIGHT ON.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 15, 2019159,000 milesIN

GAS TANK HAS CORROSION AND MECHANIC CONFIRMS THE TANK IS LEAKING GASOLINE DUE TO THE CORROSION!!!!

Air Bags
Filed Apr 13, 201945 milesNY

THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AN OFF, THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL INSECURE IN THIS VEHICLE, I DON'T THINK THE AIR BAGS WOULD WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NEED ATTENTION IN THE MATTER

Air Bags
Filed Jan 1, 201958,000 milesNJ

THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW WEEKS. I WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THERE ARE ALSO DIFFERENT REASONS FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE?

20 of 216 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2017
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202636400Routine
2025131500Routine
2024146710Routine
2023207130Above average
2022199510Routine
2021166720Routine
2020209290Above average
20191982120Routine
2018108240Routine
20179626230High concern
2016236320Above average
20152542130Above average
20144933300High concern
20136053410High concern
20123531170Above average
2011181381Fatalities reported
2010258361Fatalities reported
2009358353Fatalities reported
2008541670Above average
2007683982Fatalities reported
2006106130Routine
2005 — this page216302Fatalities reported
2004303370Above average
2003308450Above average
2002165420Routine
2001209440Above average

Compare every Santa FE year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 18, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.