NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
303 reports67,700 miles · Jun 19, 2012
Unknown Or Other
STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK, THE SUV LURCHES FORWARD AND JERKS. I PLACED IT IN PARK WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. I WAS CONCERNED THAT I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DROVE 2 HOURS AND NOTICED CONTINUED MISFIRING AND JERKING WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS OK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COOL, BUT FELT UNSTEA…
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STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK, THE SUV LURCHES FORWARD AND JERKS. I PLACED IT IN PARK WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. I WAS CONCERNED THAT I WOULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DROVE 2 HOURS AND NOTICED CONTINUED MISFIRING AND JERKING WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS OK WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COOL, BUT FELT UNSTEADY WHEN UP TO TEMP. AFTER BEING PARKED IN GROCERY PARKING LOT, WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR STALLED, I RESTARTED AND DROVE HOME. TOOK IT TO MECHANICS NEXT DAY. AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER NOW. THEY COULD NOT GET ANY CODES AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT NEVER SHOWED. THE MECHANIC, SAID THAT HE WAS 90% SURE THAT REPLACING THE TIMING BELT/CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR/BALANCER SHAFT BELT/PICK UP PLATE WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM...THIS DIDN'T WORK AND THE DEALER ASKED TO KEEP IT A 5TH NIGHT. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM AS OF YET. I'M CONCERNED THAT MY CAR WILL NOT BE REPAIRED AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10462336
104,000 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10461206
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2012
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingSuspension
MY AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID" THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. AND SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON THE ENGINE REVELS UP AND SOUNDS AS IF THE ACCELERATION IS STUCK. SCARES ME TO DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456747
81,779 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Air Bags
WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AS THE SECOND OWNER IN MARCH 2010, I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS FIXED. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2010 AND BEFORE I TOOK OWNERSHIP I HAD TO LEAVE IT WITH THE DEALER AS THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS WERE ON.…
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WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR AS THE SECOND OWNER IN MARCH 2010, I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS FIXED. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2010 AND BEFORE I TOOK OWNERSHIP I HAD TO LEAVE IT WITH THE DEALER AS THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS WERE ON. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TO FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS, HOWEVER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENT CODES EACH TIME. WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IN ORDER CORRECT THE AIRBAG LIGHT, HOWEVER, AS OF 4/3/12 WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP (HERB CONNOLLY HYUNDAI) THAT IN NEED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG. ALSO THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND IT USUALLY HAS TO BE REPLACED AT 60K MILES. WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IT HAD 81K MILES, GIVEN THIS FACT, THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE AIRBAG PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING IT. THE CODE THAT IS SHOWING NOW IS B1346 (AIRBAG HAS HIGH RESISTANCE). DEALER REFUSE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT NO COST AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453971
30,000 miles · Mar 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE SEPARATE TIMES. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10450501
127,000 miles · Feb 26, 2012
Suspension
I BEGAN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A CRUNCHING TYPE SOUND, AND THEN IT STOPPED BRIEFLY. I CONTINUED TO BACK UP AND THE SOUND HAPPENED AGAIN FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE AND AIR GUSHING OUT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. ONCE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED WE DISCOVERED THE COIL SPRING HAD BROK…
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I BEGAN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A CRUNCHING TYPE SOUND, AND THEN IT STOPPED BRIEFLY. I CONTINUED TO BACK UP AND THE SOUND HAPPENED AGAIN FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE AND AIR GUSHING OUT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. ONCE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED WE DISCOVERED THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND SLICED THE TIRE ALL THE WAY AROUND. IT APPEARS FROM MY RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449378
126,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsVisibility
SO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG BACK SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK, WASHER PUMP DON'T WORK TRIED TO ORDER PART FROM DEALER DO NOT HAVE ANY IN US THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR PIGTAIL DISINTEGRATED FROM BEING TO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND NO ONE SELLS THE PART HAVE TO BUY THE COMPLETE ENGINE WIRING KIT FOR ONE LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL…
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SO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG BACK SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK, WASHER PUMP DON'T WORK TRIED TO ORDER PART FROM DEALER DO NOT HAVE ANY IN US THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR PIGTAIL DISINTEGRATED FROM BEING TO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND NO ONE SELLS THE PART HAVE TO BUY THE COMPLETE ENGINE WIRING KIT FOR ONE LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS I READ ONLINE THAT EVERYONE WITH THIS CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10446991
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
WAS HAVING WINTER TIRES PUT ON MY CAR WHEN MEHANIC SAID HAD A GAS TANK LEAK...HE SAID IT WAS THE 5TH CAR OF HYUNDAI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HE SAW...SAID HE NEVER SAW A CAR THIS YOUNG (7YRS) WITH THIS PROBLEM...AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THIS CAR..I HAVE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS..I SMELL GASOLINE WHEN I WALK AROUND THIS CAR AND WHE…
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WAS HAVING WINTER TIRES PUT ON MY CAR WHEN MEHANIC SAID HAD A GAS TANK LEAK...HE SAID IT WAS THE 5TH CAR OF HYUNDAI WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HE SAW...SAID HE NEVER SAW A CAR THIS YOUNG (7YRS) WITH THIS PROBLEM...AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH THIS CAR..I HAVE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS..I SMELL GASOLINE WHEN I WALK AROUND THIS CAR AND WHEN I ENTER MY CAR...PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS HELP...I DO NOT HAVE MONEY AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE..PLEASE HELP ME. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10444705
101,000 miles · Jan 13, 2012
Suspension
CAR WAS IS GARAGE. WENT TO BACK OUT AND HAD BARELY MOVED AN INCH IN REVERSE WHEN I HEARD A POP AND A WHOOSHING NOISE OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE DEFLATING. CAR WAS THEN SLANTED/LOPSIDED TO THE LEFT BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS SO DEFLATED. TRIED TO REMOVE TIRE AND COULDN'T GET IT OFF. DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED OF…
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CAR WAS IS GARAGE. WENT TO BACK OUT AND HAD BARELY MOVED AN INCH IN REVERSE WHEN I HEARD A POP AND A WHOOSHING NOISE OF THE FRONT LEFT TIRE DEFLATING. CAR WAS THEN SLANTED/LOPSIDED TO THE LEFT BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS SO DEFLATED. TRIED TO REMOVE TIRE AND COULDN'T GET IT OFF. DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED OFF AND IT WAS LODGED IN THE TIRE. THE SHARP JAGGED END OF THE SPRING IS WHAT POPPED THE TIRE. LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443724
63,000 miles · Nov 26, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TWO PEOPLE MENTIONED THAT THEY SMELLED GASOLINE UPON WALKING BEHIND MY CAR..NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT UNTIL I NOTICED TWO DAYS LATER THAT I SEEMED TO BE GOING THROUGH ALOT OF GAS..I DRIVE 6 MILES FROM MY HOME TO WORK EVERY DAY...I NOW SMELL GAS IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR EVERY DAY..WAS TOLD TO CHECK IF THERE WAS…
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I ARRIVED AT WORK AND TWO PEOPLE MENTIONED THAT THEY SMELLED GASOLINE UPON WALKING BEHIND MY CAR..NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT UNTIL I NOTICED TWO DAYS LATER THAT I SEEMED TO BE GOING THROUGH ALOT OF GAS..I DRIVE 6 MILES FROM MY HOME TO WORK EVERY DAY...I NOW SMELL GAS IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR EVERY DAY..WAS TOLD TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TANK OR FUEL LINE...DO NOT KNOW WHO TO CHECK WITH INREGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM..AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO BOYS SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED..ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10437338
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
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.
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 ↗