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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

Suspension complaints

69 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2016
Suspension

I RESPONDED TO HYUNDAI'S RECALL EMAIL AND WHEN I TRIED TO SIGN UP TO HAVE MY VEHICLE'S ISSUES RESOLVED AND SCHEDULE ELECTRONICALLY I COULD NOT DO SO UNLESS I AGREED TO ALSO SCHEDULE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE SUCH AS AN OIL CHANGE. THE SITE I WAS SENT TO IS HTTPS://AUTOSERVICE.HYUNDAIUSA.COM/CAMPAIGN124/MICROSITETEMPLATE/MICROSITE…

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I RESPONDED TO HYUNDAI'S RECALL EMAIL AND WHEN I TRIED TO SIGN UP TO HAVE MY VEHICLE'S ISSUES RESOLVED AND SCHEDULE ELECTRONICALLY I COULD NOT DO SO UNLESS I AGREED TO ALSO SCHEDULE A RECOMMENDED SERVICE SUCH AS AN OIL CHANGE. THE SITE I WAS SENT TO IS HTTPS://AUTOSERVICE.HYUNDAIUSA.COM/CAMPAIGN124/MICROSITETEMPLATE/MICROSITETEMPLATEVINVALIDATE/1424

NHTSA ODI #10872884

176,000 miles · Apr 8, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IN OCTOBER OF 2014, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND A PROTECTOR PLATE WAS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT COIL SPRING. IN APRIL OF 2016, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IN OCTOBER OF 2014, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND A PROTECTOR PLATE WAS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT COIL SPRING. IN APRIL OF 2016, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

NHTSA ODI #10854431

162,248 miles · Feb 2, 2016
StructureSuspensionWheels

PLEASE I NEED SOMEONES HELP ME CALL ME [XXX] I HAVE DC IN MY BAKE INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10823702

90,000 miles · Jun 12, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOWERED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND PART OF THE SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOWERED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND PART OF THE SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE COIL SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10724959

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2015
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REMAINING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10704695

99,980 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Suspension

GOT INTO CAR MORNING OF THE TENTH. CAR WAS MAKING NOISE. PARKED CAR. HUSBAND TOOK LOOK AT IT NOTICE HEAT SHIELD LOSE. THAT DID NOT TURN OUT TO BE NOISE.ON CLOSER INSPECTION NOTICE BROKEN COIL SPRING FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. FUNNY THEY ARE RECALLING THIS MODEL CAR FOR THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, BUT MY 2004 SANTA FE ACTUALLY HAD THIS F…

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GOT INTO CAR MORNING OF THE TENTH. CAR WAS MAKING NOISE. PARKED CAR. HUSBAND TOOK LOOK AT IT NOTICE HEAT SHIELD LOSE. THAT DID NOT TURN OUT TO BE NOISE.ON CLOSER INSPECTION NOTICE BROKEN COIL SPRING FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. FUNNY THEY ARE RECALLING THIS MODEL CAR FOR THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, BUT MY 2004 SANTA FE ACTUALLY HAD THIS FAILURE AND IT IS NOT COVERED ! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703046

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2015
Suspension

HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 124/THE DEALER ORDERED THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON 12/16/2014 AND HAS NEVER RECEIVED IT. HYUNDAI CAN NOT TELL THEM WHERE THE PART IS AND HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL IN LOCATING ANOTHER PART. A TIRE BURST DUE TO THE RECALLED PART SO THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING UNDRIVEABLE AT THE MAGUIRE DEALERSHIP IN ITHACA NY FOR OV…

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HYUNDAI RECALL CAMPAIGN 124/THE DEALER ORDERED THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON 12/16/2014 AND HAS NEVER RECEIVED IT. HYUNDAI CAN NOT TELL THEM WHERE THE PART IS AND HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL IN LOCATING ANOTHER PART. A TIRE BURST DUE TO THE RECALLED PART SO THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING UNDRIVEABLE AT THE MAGUIRE DEALERSHIP IN ITHACA NY FOR OVER A MONTH. AS A CONSUMER WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY ANSWERS FROM HYUNDAI. THIS IS A RECALLED PART AND THEY ARE NOT MAKING ANY EFFORT TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672872

92,000 miles · Dec 26, 2014
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END AS THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END AS THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V350000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10668296

79,349 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Suspension

TOOK MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE SPRING ISSUE. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND LOOKING AT THE WORK ORDER THAT LISTED THEIR ACTIVITY AS INSTALLING A ?FRONT SPRING PROTECTOR INSTALLATION,? I CALLED THEIR NATIONAL CONSUMER HELP NUMBER AND ASKED ABOUT THE PARAMETERS USED IN EVALUATING THE REPAIR DECISION. HER ANSWER WA…

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TOOK MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE SPRING ISSUE. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND LOOKING AT THE WORK ORDER THAT LISTED THEIR ACTIVITY AS INSTALLING A ?FRONT SPRING PROTECTOR INSTALLATION,? I CALLED THEIR NATIONAL CONSUMER HELP NUMBER AND ASKED ABOUT THE PARAMETERS USED IN EVALUATING THE REPAIR DECISION. HER ANSWER WAS: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND DO EITHER A SPRING REPLACEMENT IF SEVER DAMAGE IS FOUND OR INSTALL A FRONT SPRING PROTECTION KIT AND SPRAY APPLICATION (OF SOMETHING) IF MODERATE DAMAGE IS FOUND. I QUESTIONED THE PARAMETERS FOR LEADING TO A DECISION, THE FIRST PERSON I TALKED TO SAID IT WAS THE DEALERS RESPONSIBILITY. I RESPONDED BY ASKING FOR A SUPERVISOR, AFTER TRANSFER SHE REPEATED THE PREVIOUS ANSWER. I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY STRUCTURAL EVALUATIONS OF RUSTY STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS. ONE CANNOT JUST EYEBALL A SITUATION LIKE THIS, THERE ARE PARAMETERS FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. I FOUND THE SUPERVISORS ANSWER, THAT SHE COULD NOT DIRECT ME TO A CORPORATE ENGINEERING OFFICE FOR SPECIFIC DESIGN PARAMETERS AND THAT THE DEALERS WOULD BE MAKING THE DECISIONS WAS QUESTIONABLE AT BEST IN TERMS OF THEIR ANSWER, WITH NO DEFINED EVALUATIVE CRITERIA AND THEIR RELIABILITY ON THE DEALERS TO MAKE A SAFETY CHOICE OVER A ECONOMIC ONE. THE RECALL WAS FROM HYUNDAI NOT THE DEALER I PURCHASED FROM. THERE WERE TWO OTHER INSTANCES RELATING TO RUST ON THIS CAR, THE CAR NEEDED TO HAVE ITS FUEL TANK REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT WAS RUSTING AND LEAKING GASOLINE, I HAVE THE EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. LITTLE DID THAT HELP, THEY CLAIMED IT WAS NOT COVERED (WHAT DOES BUMPER TO BUMPER MEAN) AND DENIED COVERAGE. A SEPARATE ISSUE OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR DIED ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM MY SERVICE GARAGE, PUSHED IT IN, THEY FOUND A CORRODED WIRE (WHAT EVER) AND REPLACED IT. WHEN I CALLED FOR REIMBURSEMENT, THEY DENIED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654599

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.