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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

What owners actually said

303 reports
26,500 miles · Oct 16, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A LITTLE ST. IN FOSTORIA,OHIO ON OCT 16 AT APPROX. 4 PM. HER SPEED WAS AROUND 35 MPH AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD. SHE HAD A LARGE VEHICLE ON HER DRIVER SIDE AS THIS IS A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. A BLAZER/BRONCO CROSSED FROM THE ONCOMING LANE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON A SIDE STREET (SOUTH UNION STREET, CUTTING…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A LITTLE ST. IN FOSTORIA,OHIO ON OCT 16 AT APPROX. 4 PM. HER SPEED WAS AROUND 35 MPH AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD. SHE HAD A LARGE VEHICLE ON HER DRIVER SIDE AS THIS IS A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. A BLAZER/BRONCO CROSSED FROM THE ONCOMING LANE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON A SIDE STREET (SOUTH UNION STREET, CUTTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE IMPACT STOPPED HER VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND DROVE HER CAR INTO A TRUCK WAITING TO TURN ONTO LITTLE STREET FROM THE SAME SIDE STREET. ALTHOUGH THE ACCIDENT CAUSED A FRONT END IMPACT TO OUR HYUNDAI, THE AIRBAG IN OUR HYUNDAI DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT COLLARBONE AND SHOULDER, AND ALSO TO HER RIGHT KNEE, REQUIRING A TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND XRAYS. SHE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO WORK FOR A SHORT TIME DUE TO HER INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245750

73,010 miles · Oct 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING FREEWAY SPEEDS AT 5:30 AM GOING TO WORK WHEN MY TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I LOST ALL POWER COASTED ABOUT 300 FEET, PULLED OFF ON LEFT AND ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. COME TO FIND OUT, TIMING BELT WENT BAD, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I'VE GOT LESS…

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WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING FREEWAY SPEEDS AT 5:30 AM GOING TO WORK WHEN MY TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I LOST ALL POWER COASTED ABOUT 300 FEET, PULLED OFF ON LEFT AND ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. COME TO FIND OUT, TIMING BELT WENT BAD, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR. I'VE GOT LESS THAN 75000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED ON THE WARRANTY AND THAT THE PARTS THEY USE TO PUT THESE TRUCKS TOGETHER ARE SO CHEAP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244545

61,000 miles · Oct 5, 2008
Air Bags

WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO GARY ROME HOLYOKE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND COMPLAINT OF A AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A UNIT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT THAT WAS BAD. THEY GOT THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND WE WERE TOLD TO SELL OR TRADE THE CAR BEFORE THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WE WERE TOLD WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY,BY LESS THAN 1000 M…

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WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO GARY ROME HOLYOKE FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND COMPLAINT OF A AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A UNIT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT THAT WAS BAD. THEY GOT THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND WE WERE TOLD TO SELL OR TRADE THE CAR BEFORE THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WE WERE TOLD WE WERE OUT OF WARRANTY,BY LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND TO REPLACE THIS PART WOULD BE IN THE $2000-$3000 RANGE. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS THE SIDE AIRBAGS AND THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS PART ON OTHER MODELS AS WELL. MY WIFE WAS TOLD THE SAME BY THE MANUFACTURER WHEN SHE CALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244444

5,000 miles · Jun 12, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ACCELERATES FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD RAPIDLY. HE MUST IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE SPEED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ACCELERATES FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD RAPIDLY. HE MUST IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,963 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230826

109,000 miles · Jun 6, 2008
Air BagsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10230142

40,600 miles · Apr 30, 2008
StructureSuspension

ONE MONTH AGO,WITH 40,600 MILES ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED MY TIRE WHICH THE HYUNDAI DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THREE WEEKS LATER THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THAT TIRE ALSO. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. IN THE PAST FIFTY …

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ONE MONTH AGO,WITH 40,600 MILES ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED MY TIRE WHICH THE HYUNDAI DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THREE WEEKS LATER THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THAT TIRE ALSO. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. IN THE PAST FIFTY YEARS I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS AND NEVER HAD A FRONT SPRING BREAK DOWN MUCH LESS TWO IN THREE WEEKS. EVEN THOUGH THE HYUNDAI DEALER,PATRICK OF SCHAUMBURG, REPLACED THESE SPRINGS UNDER WARRANTY, I STILL INCURRED A $200.00 CAR RENTAL BILL. HYUNDAI DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS OF THESE SPRING FAILURES AT ONLY 40,600 MILES. ANY HELP AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226314

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT COME UP WITH A REASON WHY THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. CONSUMER BARELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SLIDING TO A STOP. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ABS, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE REC…

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2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HYUNDAI HAS NOT COME UP WITH A REASON WHY THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED. CONSUMER BARELY MISSED AN ACCIDENT BY APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SLIDING TO A STOP. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE ABS, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED ALL TYPES OF SCENARIO'S FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE ABS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE NORMALLY WHEN THEY SUDDENLY DISENGAGED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS MANUALLY DISENGAGED BY PRESSING THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES FAILED TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #10218305

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages

MAINLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR AND ONCE IN AWHILE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND THE REST OF THE OTHER DOORS REMAIN UNLOCKED. I CAN NOT GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED UNLESS I USE THE ELECTRONIC KEY. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO FIRST LOCK ALL THE DOORS AND UNLOCK THEM FOR THIS TO UNLOCK. THE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK EVERY…

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MAINLY THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR AND ONCE IN AWHILE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND THE REST OF THE OTHER DOORS REMAIN UNLOCKED. I CAN NOT GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED UNLESS I USE THE ELECTRONIC KEY. HOWEVER, I HAVE TO FIRST LOCK ALL THE DOORS AND UNLOCK THEM FOR THIS TO UNLOCK. THE DOOR DOES NOT LOCK EVERYTIME, BUT IT HAPPENS ENOUGH THAT I AM VERY WORRIED. LUCKILY, THERE HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW "EMERGENCY" SITUATIONS THAT I HAD TO QUICKLY GET TO MY SON AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET THERE BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKED. HE THREW UP ONE TIME AND STARTED CHOKING, I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND HOP THE SEAT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS FAST ENOUGH AND HE WAS OK. IF I GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY SON TO SAFETY BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPENED. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AT TIMES IN THE CAR AND A HANDY CAPPED FATHER WHO HAS TO SIT ON THAT SIDE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ON THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD AND FAMILY MEMBERS. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER SHIP I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM SINCE DAY ONE, ON UNCOUNTABLE AMOUNT OF TIMES AND I KEPT GETTING TOLD, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THIS. I HAD KNOW IDEA WHAT TO DO AS NOBODY WAS HELPFUL. I WANTED TO BUY A NEW CAR, BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD IT. MY SON GOT THE "CARS" MOVIE FOR CHRISTMAS AND WITHIN IT WAS THIS "BROCHURE" AND I FOUND THIS SITE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215968

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS SANTA FE IN 04 THERE HAVE BEEN SIX TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD AND DIED. I HAVE BEEN SCARED FOR MY AND MY SON'S LIFE AS THIS JUST HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE AND IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN HOW TO REACT BUT I BARELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. HY…

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SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS SANTA FE IN 04 THERE HAVE BEEN SIX TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD AND DIED. I HAVE BEEN SCARED FOR MY AND MY SON'S LIFE AS THIS JUST HAPPENED ON AN INTERSTATE AND IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE I WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN HOW TO REACT BUT I BARELY PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. HYUNDAI SAID THE PROBLEM WAS UNBALANCED TIRE PRESSURE...OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T RESPECT WOMEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214034

26,603 miles · Dec 19, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE BACKING UP AT 3 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK END DAMAGE. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE BACKING UP AT 3 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SUSTAINED BACK END DAMAGE. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HYUNDAI STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELEVANT RECALL FOR THAT FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V131000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 26,603.

NHTSA ODI #10212329

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.