Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
550–25K
2825–50K
4550–75K
3875–100K
50100–150K
34150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2005
Power Train
WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 4/04 AND EVER SINCE WE DROVE IT OFF THE LOT, BRAND NEW, IT HAS HAD THE PROBLEM OF HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR "SERVICE DEPARTMENT" NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT AS NO CODE REGISTERS ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. AFTER READING ABOUT AL…
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WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 4/04 AND EVER SINCE WE DROVE IT OFF THE LOT, BRAND NEW, IT HAS HAD THE PROBLEM OF HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR "SERVICE DEPARTMENT" NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT AS NO CODE REGISTERS ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. AFTER READING ABOUT ALL OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I AM AMAZED THAT NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING TO FORCE HYUNDAI INTO RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. IF NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS LACK OF POWER UPON ACCELERATION THEN IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE ANYTHING WORSE THAN AN INJURY. THIS VEHICLE NOW HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM EVERY DAY. IT WOULD ALSO APPEAR THAT IT IS COMMON PRACTICE FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE "SERVICE DEPT." TO DENY ANY PROBLEM THAT CAN'T BE SEEN EASILY. THIS IS MY SECOND SANTA FE AND WILL DEFINITELY BE THE LAST. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10130732
14,695 miles · Jul 27, 2005
TiresInjury
TIRE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT PART REPLACED
NHTSA ODI #10130307
29,000 miles · Jul 22, 2005
Wheels
DT: CALLER STATED ALL FIVE OF THE LUGS: NUTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BROKE AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF. SOME DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FENDER. VEHICLE WAS FIXED BY A BODY SHOP PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. DEALER WAS TOO FAR AWAY TO TAKE VEHICLE THERE. MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT'S HOU…
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DT: CALLER STATED ALL FIVE OF THE LUGS: NUTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BROKE AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF. SOME DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FENDER. VEHICLE WAS FIXED BY A BODY SHOP PER THE INSURANCE COMPANY. DEALER WAS TOO FAR AWAY TO TAKE VEHICLE THERE. MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT'S HOUSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10129741
51,000 miles · Jun 28, 2005
Air Bags
DT: WITHOUT WARNING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR RUN INTO A HOLE. CONSUMER HAD NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID NO SIGN OF PHYSICAL IMPACT, APPEARS TO BE MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG APPEARS TO HAVE DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. DEALE…
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DT: WITHOUT WARNING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR RUN INTO A HOLE. CONSUMER HAD NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAID NO SIGN OF PHYSICAL IMPACT, APPEARS TO BE MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG APPEARS TO HAVE DEPLOYED PREMATURELY. DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY COULD NOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS TURNED OVER TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM MANUFACTURER. *TT *NM
NHTSA ODI #10122305
5,362 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
USUALLY WHEN THERE ARE RAINY CONDITONS WHEN I AM ATTEMPTING TO INITITATE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING, THE BRAKES WILL SOUND VERY LOUDLY AND EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. IN A FEW INSTANCES I ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS AND THE CURB BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP.
NHTSA ODI #10126682
100 miles · May 20, 2005
Electrical System
DT: THE END OF JANUARY 2004 OR BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2004 WHILE IN THE CAR IT SHOUT OFF AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE CAR JUST STARTED UP BY ITSELF. THEN, IN APRIL 2004 THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. GOT A RECALL 03V030000 NOTICE ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH STATED IT WOULD STALL …
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DT: THE END OF JANUARY 2004 OR BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2004 WHILE IN THE CAR IT SHOUT OFF AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE CAR JUST STARTED UP BY ITSELF. THEN, IN APRIL 2004 THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. GOT A RECALL 03V030000 NOTICE ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH STATED IT WOULD STALL IN COLD DAMP WEATHER, TOOK VEHICLE TTO HE DEALER THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. . THEN IN JUNE 2004 WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON A SUNSHINE DAY THE CAR DID SAME THING. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER, AND THEY ASSURED CONSUMER THAT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. EARLY AUGUST THE CAR STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AGAIN, SAID THEY FIXED IT AGAIN. LATE AUGUST, TWO DAYS AFTER THE I GOT THE CAR BACK,K THE CAR STALLED AGAIN.ALSO, SEPT 12, 2004 THE CAR DID THIS AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10121686
4,400 miles · May 18, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
THREE MONTHS AGO, WHILE I WAS FULLY STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, MY 2004 SANTA FE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND SURGED FORWARD, COLLIDING WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE (WITHOUT A COLLISION) AND THE DEALER STATED "NO PROBLEM FOUND." IT HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE MONTHS, AND THE …
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THREE MONTHS AGO, WHILE I WAS FULLY STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, MY 2004 SANTA FE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND SURGED FORWARD, COLLIDING WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE (WITHOUT A COLLISION) AND THE DEALER STATED "NO PROBLEM FOUND." IT HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE MONTHS, AND THE DEALER STILL STATES "NO PROBLEM FOUND." I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO WROTE ME BACK STATING THEY HAD CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT WHICH CAUSED THIS PROBLEM (THEY NEVER INSPECTED IT, HOWEVER). THE CAR IS BEING TRADED IN; THE DEALER IS BEING GENEROUS ON THE TRADE ALLOWANCE. HOWEVER, HYUNDAI STILL MAINTAINS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND I AM TOLD THE CAR WILL GO TO AUCTION. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HAS TAKEN NO ACTION TO INVESTIGATE THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10121282
100 miles · May 3, 2005
Electrical System
CONTACT STATES: WHILE DRIVING RADIO WAS GOING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND REPLACED RADIO BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH LOCKS. WHILE ON INTERSTATE OR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME THE LOCKS BEGIN FLIPPING ON AND OFF. HAD TO REPLACE TWO INTERIOR LIGHT BULBS AS WELL. DEALER DOES NOT LISTEN TO COMP…
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CONTACT STATES: WHILE DRIVING RADIO WAS GOING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND REPLACED RADIO BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH LOCKS. WHILE ON INTERSTATE OR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME THE LOCKS BEGIN FLIPPING ON AND OFF. HAD TO REPLACE TWO INTERIOR LIGHT BULBS AS WELL. DEALER DOES NOT LISTEN TO COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA ODI #10119539
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2005
VisibilityInjury
A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK THE DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE EVEN THOUGH THE OBJECT DID NOT COME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMPACT LITERALLY BROKE THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD APART AND CAUSED SHARDS OF GLA…
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A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK THE DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE EVEN THOUGH THE OBJECT DID NOT COME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE IMPACT LITERALLY BROKE THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD APART AND CAUSED SHARDS OF GLASS AS WELL AS PULVERIZED (POWDER CONSISTENCY) GLASS TO STRIKE THE CONSUMERS WIFE IN THE FACE AS WELL AS SPRAYING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115587
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES INSIDE OF THE PARKING GARAGE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE DRIVEWAY WAS ON AN UPH…
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WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES INSIDE OF THE PARKING GARAGE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THE DRIVEWAY WAS ON AN UPHILL INCLINE AND WAS COVERED IN SNOW. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INSTEAD OF STOPPING. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE ABS. *JB
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.
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.
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.
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year