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2004 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

250 reports with mileage · 53 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports7 fire reports27 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

43 reports
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141,000 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Air Bags

TODAY, 11/2816, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG "DEPLOYED" FOR NO REASON. DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH. NO IMPACT OR COLLISION. SEAT RIPPED OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928429

113,000 miles · Sep 15, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED OF 70MPH WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DUI DRIVER. THIS MADE MY CAR GO INTO A SPIN AND ROLLOVER 4 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. I RECEIVED DISLOCATION OF MY COLLARBONE THAT NEEDED EMERGENCY SURGERY, CONCUSSION, FRACTURED NOSE, LACERATIONS TO HEAD AND FACE, KN…

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WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED OF 70MPH WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DUI DRIVER. THIS MADE MY CAR GO INTO A SPIN AND ROLLOVER 4 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. I RECEIVED DISLOCATION OF MY COLLARBONE THAT NEEDED EMERGENCY SURGERY, CONCUSSION, FRACTURED NOSE, LACERATIONS TO HEAD AND FACE, KNEE AND HIP INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #10906781

133,294 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Air BagsInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SEAT WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, ARM, HIP, RIB, AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SEAT WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, ARM, HIP, RIB, AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,294.

NHTSA ODI #10894054

90,412 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. JUST PRIOR TO A HYUNDAI RECALL IN 5/3/16 FOR A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK, MY "AIR BAG" LIGHT WENT OFF. LET ME BACK TRACK . IN 5/16, MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING GAS UNDERNEATH. SO BADLY, THAT ONE DAY WHILE PASSING THE FIRE/POLICE STATION IN NORFOLK, MA THE FIRE CHIEF AND HIS CREW BEGAN PURSUING ME. STOPPING ME IN MY DRIVEWAY…

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TAKATA RECALL. JUST PRIOR TO A HYUNDAI RECALL IN 5/3/16 FOR A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK, MY "AIR BAG" LIGHT WENT OFF. LET ME BACK TRACK . IN 5/16, MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING GAS UNDERNEATH. SO BADLY, THAT ONE DAY WHILE PASSING THE FIRE/POLICE STATION IN NORFOLK, MA THE FIRE CHIEF AND HIS CREW BEGAN PURSUING ME. STOPPING ME IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE LEAK AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO SURRENDER MY CAR, IT WAS A "SAFETY HAZARD TO (ALL)." I PRESENTED A AAA MEMBERSHIP CARD. THE CHIEF HIMSELF CALLED AND ARRANGED A TOW TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER 2 DAYS, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI CORPORATION STATING THAT MY "GAS TANK WAS FAULTY" AND WAS SUBJECT TO A "RECALL". IMAGINE THE TIMING ON THAT? THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF HYUNDAI SOUNDED JUST GREAT ON THE PHONE. BUT WHEN MY MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD NOT TOUCH THE CAR FOR FEAR OF COMPLICATING THE WARRANTY, NO ONE INCLUDING HYUNDAI WOULD SEND ANYONE TO TOW THE CAR. AT MY PERSONAL PERIL, I DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. AS I APPROACHED THE RECEPTION AREA, ALL REMAINING GAS GUSHED OUT OF MY CAR. I WAS GIVEN A BEAUTIFUL CURRENT HYUNDAI TO DRIVE AS A LOANER CAR; I NEEDED THAT CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS "READY", THEIR ADVISOR ISSUED 2 PAGES OF PROBLEMS ALLEGEDLY EXISTING AND TRIED TO SELL ME A NEW CAR. I HAVE SINCE HAD SOMEONE ELSE LOOK AT MY CAR; NONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS EXIST. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALER, I ALSO ASKED THEIR ADVISOR "WHY HYUNDAI HADN'T FIXED THE AIR BAG LIGHT?" OVER THE 2 MTHS THEY HAD MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT "HYUNDAI DIDN'T USE TAKATA AIR BAGS." HOWEVER, NUMEROUS FRIENDS OF MINE DRIVING OTHER MODELS OF HYUNDAI HAVE RECEIVED RECALLS CITING THE "TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL." MY PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER TOLD ME "THE BAG ALONE WOULD COST $800. BUY A NEW CAR!" WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

NHTSA ODI #10888721

150,000 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Air Bags

ON DAY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST $450!. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 ON REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFO…

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ON DAY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST $450!. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 ON REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY IT TO. FROM THE NUMBER OF AIR BAG COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #10760135

137,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP REMAINED ILLUMINATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP REMAINED ILLUMINATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS WAITING FOR THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723605

99,000 miles · Jun 1, 2015
Air BagsSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10722648

159,052 miles · Nov 30, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeatsInjury

WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE, THE AIR BAG IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, INJURING MY BACK AND MY LEFT KNEE. MY CHIROPRACTOR GOT MY BACK SOMEWHAT REPAIRED, BUT MY KNEE ENDED UP HAVING A MENISCUS TEAR THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO REPLACE WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY P…

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WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE, THE AIR BAG IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, INJURING MY BACK AND MY LEFT KNEE. MY CHIROPRACTOR GOT MY BACK SOMEWHAT REPAIRED, BUT MY KNEE ENDED UP HAVING A MENISCUS TEAR THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO REPLACE WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT FOR MEDICAL CARE AND TO FIX MY CAR. I WILL BE HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE THANKS TO THIS AIR BAG INCIDENT. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD PAY FOR ALL FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT BUT .... THEY INVESTIGATED AND ARE SAYING THAT THE "COMPUTER SHOWS AN IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT" SO THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND REIMBURSE ONLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY SAY FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE THIS WAY. THEIR PRODUCT CAUSED IT, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661314

150,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Air Bags

MY SANTA FE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DURING WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS GOING TO BE $450. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO SPEND OVER $4000 FOR OTHER REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD …

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MY SANTA FE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DURING WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS GOING TO BE $450. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO SPEND OVER $4000 FOR OTHER REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF AIR BAG MODULE FAILURES ON MANY DIFFERENT MODELS OF HYUNDAI'S. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE FAULTY AIR BAG MODULES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639484

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2013
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PICK UP MY SON. I DID NOT CRASH MY CAR AT ALL. ALL OF SUDDEN. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT SHUT OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC HE PUT IT UP TO THE COMPUTER IT READ RESISTANCE AIR BAG. ITS GOING TO COST ME A…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PICK UP MY SON. I DID NOT CRASH MY CAR AT ALL. ALL OF SUDDEN. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT SHUT OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC HE PUT IT UP TO THE COMPUTER IT READ RESISTANCE AIR BAG. ITS GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. MY WARRANTY WAS UP A WHILE AGO. ITS A SAFETY ISSUSE. I JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY CAUSE I JUST GOT THE CAR 8 MONTHS AGO. ALREADY I PUT IN 1,000 INTO IT. I JUST GOT THE FOOT MODULE THE BRAKES AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WEIGH THE SUSPENSION.

NHTSA ODI #10544785

Official recalls

3

14V435000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jul 18, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

04V131000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Mar 16, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

03V520000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 18, 2003

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.