NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
303 reports150,000 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
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10806709
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
92,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE FAILED AND THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE FAILED AND THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786932
92,000 miles · Oct 28, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD SUDDENLY STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PURGE VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786610
148,750 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
I SMELLED GAS RECENTLY WHEN OPENING AND GETTING INTO MY 2004 SANTA FE. I TOOK IT TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP. THEY INSPECTED IT AND FOUND RUST HOLES IN THE GAS TANK WHICH GAS WAS LEAKING OUT OF! I CAN'T IMAGINE THE HOW TERRIBLE AN EVENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THE LEAKING GAS HAD EXPLODED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR OR BEEN CLOSE TO AN O…
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I SMELLED GAS RECENTLY WHEN OPENING AND GETTING INTO MY 2004 SANTA FE. I TOOK IT TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP. THEY INSPECTED IT AND FOUND RUST HOLES IN THE GAS TANK WHICH GAS WAS LEAKING OUT OF! I CAN'T IMAGINE THE HOW TERRIBLE AN EVENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF THE LEAKING GAS HAD EXPLODED WHEN I STARTED THE CAR OR BEEN CLOSE TO AN OPEN FLAME WITH THE CAR WHEN IT WAS LEAKING. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A FUEL TANK RUST OUT. I THINK THE NHTSA NEEDS TO TAKE A VERY CLOSE LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND POSSIBLY ISSUE A RECALL ON THE GAS TANKS OF SANTA FES AND OTHER VEHICLES THEY MANUFACTURE THAT USE THE SAME GAS TANK.
NHTSA ODI #10779206
150,000 miles · Aug 29, 2015
Air Bags
ON DAY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST $450!. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 ON REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFO…
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ON DAY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST $450!. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 ON REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY IT TO. FROM THE NUMBER OF AIR BAG COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED.
NHTSA ODI #10760135
154,470 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Unknown Or Other
THE AIR CONDITIONER CUTS OFF ON LEVEL 4 WHILE DRIVING IF I CUT IT DOWN TO LEVEL 3 IT COMES BACK ON BUT WILL EVENTUALLY CUTS OFF COMPLETELY.. IS THERE A RECALL ON AC PARTS, BLOWER, CODES ETC?? THIS HAPPENS TOOO MUCH..ITS REALLY FRUSTRATING
NHTSA ODI #10745033
5,389 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED TO CALL THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE SPO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED TO CALL THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE SPO NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,389.
NHTSA ODI #10743649
28,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering
CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR BRAKING DOWN A WINDY CANYON ROAD. PROBLEM INCLUDES INTERMITTENT JERKING, JUMPING, HICCUPPING - WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FIRST MONTH, AFTER BRAND-NEW NY DEALERSHIP PURCHASE, I REPLACED MY THROTTLE POSITI…
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CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR BRAKING DOWN A WINDY CANYON ROAD. PROBLEM INCLUDES INTERMITTENT JERKING, JUMPING, HICCUPPING - WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FIRST MONTH, AFTER BRAND-NEW NY DEALERSHIP PURCHASE, I REPLACED MY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 3 TIMES. TROUBLE WITH MY CURRENT PROBLEM BEGAN AT 4 YEARS, WELL UNDER 30,000 MILES. FOR A YEAR I HAD TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I DROVE, NEVER KNOWING IF THIS TRIP WOULD KILL ME OR OTHER MOTORISTS. WHY DID I HAVE TO DRIVE IT? BECAUSE THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS IN LOS ANGELES COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM IF THEY COULDN'T CAUSE IT TO HAPPEN AND THERE IS NO ERROR CODE WHEN TESTED. A YEAR OF FEAR. JUST THE HESITATION JERKING IS SCARY ENOUGH WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN IT ACTUALLY SHUTS DOWN? WHEN YOUR RPM INDICATOR DROPS FROM 2,000 TO 0 AND YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE TURNING THE STUCK STEERING WHEEL AND PULLING UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HOPING YOU DON'T CAREEN OFF A WINDING CLIFF OR COAST HEAD ON INTO UNSUSPECTING TRAFFIC OR CLICKING YOUR HAZARDS ON AND PRAYING NO ONE HITS YOU ON AN OILY RAIN SLICK PAVEMENT AT NIGHT ON THE 101 FREEWAY - THAT IS WHEN IT REALLY MAKES YOUR HEART JUMP OUT OF YOUR CHEST. AFTER 11 MONTHS OF SHUTTING OFF, IT GOT SO BAD IT WOULDN'T TURN ON AGAIN AND FINALLY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING, THEY MADE A LEAK IN MY POWER STEERING HOSE AND DAMAGED MY PUMP. BECAUSE IT WAS DAYS AFTER MY WARRANTY, THE VAN NUYS DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME FOR THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND OTHER DAMAGE! 33,000 MILES ON MY CAR. WELL, THAT WAS NOVEMBER 2009. IT'S NOW 2015 (70,540 MILES) AND ONCE AGAIN, I'M OKAYED TO DRIVE MY UNSAFE CAR. THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE VEHICLES PUT DRIVERS AT AN UNREASONABLE RISK OF ACCIDENT AND SINCE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE, HYUNDAI WILL DO NOTHING.
NHTSA ODI #10731794
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 ↗