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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

39 reports
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141,560 miles · May 20, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed ControlWheels

VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITHOUT TITLE OR DISCLOSURE DEALERSHIP TOOK MONEY REFUSE TO HEAR COMPLAINTS. CONTACT ME AS I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE NO TITTLE TRYING TO RETURN VEHICLE IT VEERED TOWARD DITCH AS THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND DANGEROUS PER DMV

NHTSA ODI #11208686

118,000 miles · Feb 10, 2019
Service BrakesSuspensionVehicle Speed Control

ABS TCS TRACKING SYSTEM TURNS OUT WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11176011

216,721 miles · May 12, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.7 LITER ENGINE, HIGH IDLES AT 3,000 RPM ON START UP AND NEVER GOES DOWN EVEN WHEN ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT EVEN ACTING RIGHT SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED, THIS IS A HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR SHOWS NO ENGINE CODES, OR TRANSMISSION CODES, IT HAS…

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2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.7 LITER ENGINE, HIGH IDLES AT 3,000 RPM ON START UP AND NEVER GOES DOWN EVEN WHEN ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT EVEN ACTING RIGHT SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED, THIS IS A HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR SHOWS NO ENGINE CODES, OR TRANSMISSION CODES, IT HAS HAD LOWER INTAKE, UPPER INTAKE GASKETS CHANGED, IAC MOTOR CHANGED, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CHANGED, TEMPERATURE SENSOR CHANGED, CLEANED THROTTLE BODY BORE WHERE THROTTLE PLATE CLOSES, CHANGED VACUUM HOSES, MADE SURE THROTTLE CABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WERE BINDING OR HOLDING THROTTLE OPEN, AND NONE OFF THESE THINGS HAVE HELPED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM, MANY ACCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE READ A FORUM THAT SAID HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE A FAIL SAFE MODE BUILT INTO THERE COMPUTERS LIKE MOST CARS DO SO THIS KIND OF SITUATION DOES NOT OCCUR. VEHICLE STILL NOT FIXED, AND HYUNDAI NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE ARE ANY FATALITIES FROM NEGLECT OF A KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11093495

125,000 miles · Mar 7, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

RECENTLY THE ENGINE THROTTLE STARTED TO REV UP AND WANTING TO ACCELERATEWHEN I AM GOIN VERY VERY SLOW STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR JUST DEIVING UNDER 30 MPH. I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND THAT WOULDN'T WORK SO I WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAIT FOR THE THROTTLE TO CALM DOWN. I WENT TO MY MECHANICS AND THEY PUT…

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RECENTLY THE ENGINE THROTTLE STARTED TO REV UP AND WANTING TO ACCELERATEWHEN I AM GOIN VERY VERY SLOW STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR JUST DEIVING UNDER 30 MPH. I WOULD HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES VERY HARD AND THAT WOULDN'T WORK SO I WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAIT FOR THE THROTTLE TO CALM DOWN. I WENT TO MY MECHANICS AND THEY PUT THE COMPUTER MONITOR ON MY SANTA FE BUT NO CODES CAME UP SHOWING ANY PROBLEMS. THEY CHECKED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND IT WAS FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10840201

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*JS

NHTSA ODI #10816532

150,000 miles · Nov 28, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR IT WILL NOT START AFTERWARD. FIRST IT STARTED ONLY WHEN MY CAR WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN I LEFT MY CAR RUNNING IT WAS OK. NOW IT TURNS OFF WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING ALSO. THE MECHANIC SAID, IT MAY BE A BAD FUEL PUMP, COST $350 TO REPLACE, BUT CAN'T GUARANTEE THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE W…

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WHEN I PUT GAS IN MY CAR IT WILL NOT START AFTERWARD. FIRST IT STARTED ONLY WHEN MY CAR WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN I LEFT MY CAR RUNNING IT WAS OK. NOW IT TURNS OFF WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING ALSO. THE MECHANIC SAID, IT MAY BE A BAD FUEL PUMP, COST $350 TO REPLACE, BUT CAN'T GUARANTEE THIS WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?? I GOOGLE IT AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM. ALSO WITH THE CAR ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY. I SEE NOW THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. EVERYONE SAID I IMAGINED IT. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10807296

140,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE TRIES TO SLOW DOWN OR ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS

NHTSA ODI #10789245

69,500 miles · Nov 25, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN JUST TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE BRAKE MUST IMMEDIATELY BE ENGAGED TO SLOW THE CAR. ONCE THE CAR IS MOVING THE ACCELERATOR WORKS. WHILE CRUISING THE ENGINE RPM SURGES FORCING THE BRAKES TO BE ENGAGED.THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE VEHICLE…

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THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN JUST TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE BRAKE MUST IMMEDIATELY BE ENGAGED TO SLOW THE CAR. ONCE THE CAR IS MOVING THE ACCELERATOR WORKS. WHILE CRUISING THE ENGINE RPM SURGES FORCING THE BRAKES TO BE ENGAGED.THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS AND SHE JUST LIVED WITH IT. IT IS UNSETTLING TO HAVE A VEHICLE SURGE WHENEVER IT WANTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660868

116,000 miles · May 22, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

AFTER PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I REACHED MY DESIRED SPEED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE, AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV FOR 1 OR 2 SECONDS. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT ON THIS OCCASION, BUT IT WAS TERRIFYING, AND I HAD MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593533

72,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

DEAR NHTSA - MY SANTA FE HAD A MALFUNCTION AT 65 MPH THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN AND RUN IN ONLY THIRD GEAR. THIS IS A HUGE DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CODES ARE P0121 AND P0733 WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH A THROTTLE/ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND A THIRD GEAR RATIO MISMATCH. I B…

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DEAR NHTSA - MY SANTA FE HAD A MALFUNCTION AT 65 MPH THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY SLOW DOWN AND RUN IN ONLY THIRD GEAR. THIS IS A HUGE DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE CODES ARE P0121 AND P0733 WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH A THROTTLE/ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR AND A THIRD GEAR RATIO MISMATCH. I BELIEVE THE WAY THIS WORKS IS THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR SENDS A SIGNAL TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM MODULE WHICH ACTIVATES AN ETS MOTOR ON THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH OPENS/CLOSES THE THROTTLE BUTTERFLY DAMPER BASED ON A COMPUTED ERROR SIGNAL. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ON HYUNDAI FORUMS IT WAS VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MALFUNCTION IS VERY COMMON AND VERY DANGEROUS. I SEARCHED THE CURRENT RECALLS AND THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE TWO RECALLS I COULD FIND FOR THIS VEHICLE. BUT IN 50% OF THE CASES I READ ABOUT IT APPEARED THAT EITHER THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR OR THROTTLE SENSOR IS A COMMON FAILURE. I REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THERE ARE ALSO SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THESE SENSORS TO SEE THIS MISMATCH AND GIVE THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION THE FAULT CODE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO EITHER GO INTO "LIMP" MODE OR SINGLE GEAR MODE. ALTHOUGH BOTH ARE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS IT BASICALLY LIMITS THE CAR TO A MAXIMUM RPM AND CAUSES IT TO EITHER RUN IN ONE GEAR OR NOT SHIFT ABOVE A GEAR, FOR EXAMPLE 3RD GEAR INTO OVERDRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAULT THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN RUNNING AT OR NEAR HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED NATURE OF THE EVENT AND THE SPEED CHANGE AND NOISE IT CAN CAUSE THUS SURPRISING THE DRIVER WHICH MAY CAUSE THEM TO STOP OR PULL OVER UNEXPECTEDLY. OTHER MALFUNCTIONS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS ARE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, FUEL INJECTOR O-RING FAULTY AND LEAKY INTAKE MANIFOLDS AMONG OTHERS. THIS SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND REDESIGNED OR REPAIRED ON THESE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576819

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.