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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.

About this comparison →

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
30,000 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT CLIP FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10731331

3,300 miles · Jun 30, 2015
Power TrainInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE KNOCKED THE CONTACT DOWN AND ROLLED OVER HER KNEES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE KNOCKED THE CONTACT DOWN AND ROLLED OVER HER KNEES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300. ..UPDATED 09/03/15 *BF UPDATED 11/02/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10731314

90,000 miles · Jun 12, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOWERED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND PART OF THE SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOWERED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND PART OF THE SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE COIL SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10724959

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10724538

137,000 miles · Jun 5, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP REMAINED ILLUMINATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP REMAINED ILLUMINATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS WAITING FOR THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723605

99,000 miles · Jun 1, 2015
Air BagsSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10722648

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2015
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REMAINING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10704695

99,980 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Suspension

GOT INTO CAR MORNING OF THE TENTH. CAR WAS MAKING NOISE. PARKED CAR. HUSBAND TOOK LOOK AT IT NOTICE HEAT SHIELD LOSE. THAT DID NOT TURN OUT TO BE NOISE.ON CLOSER INSPECTION NOTICE BROKEN COIL SPRING FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. FUNNY THEY ARE RECALLING THIS MODEL CAR FOR THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, BUT MY 2004 SANTA FE ACTUALLY HAD THIS F…

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GOT INTO CAR MORNING OF THE TENTH. CAR WAS MAKING NOISE. PARKED CAR. HUSBAND TOOK LOOK AT IT NOTICE HEAT SHIELD LOSE. THAT DID NOT TURN OUT TO BE NOISE.ON CLOSER INSPECTION NOTICE BROKEN COIL SPRING FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. FUNNY THEY ARE RECALLING THIS MODEL CAR FOR THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, BUT MY 2004 SANTA FE ACTUALLY HAD THIS FAILURE AND IT IS NOT COVERED ! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703046

155,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015
EnginePower Train

AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW, IT DIDN'T SHIFT ALL THE WAY INTO FIRST GEAR. WHILE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, IT REMAINED AT A HIGH RPM WHILE THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, MY CAR "KICKED" DOWN INTO FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY BACK IN TO SECOND. A FEW DAYS LATER WHILE AT…

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AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW, IT DIDN'T SHIFT ALL THE WAY INTO FIRST GEAR. WHILE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, IT REMAINED AT A HIGH RPM WHILE THE BRAKE WAS PRESSED. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, MY CAR "KICKED" DOWN INTO FIRST AND IMMEDIATELY BACK IN TO SECOND. A FEW DAYS LATER WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR DIED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT STARTED BACK UP. AFTER BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER (IT HAD DIED ON MY THREE TIMES AT THIS POINT) TO HAVE IT SERVICED, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY WERE ABLE TO "FEEL" THE SHIFTING ISSUES WHEN STOPPING BUT THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. SINCE I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SHOP, IT HAS BEEN HAVING HIGH IDLE SURGES WHERE THE RESTING IDLE RPM IS AT 2000, IN ADDITION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL IT ACTS AS IF SOMETHING IS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE GOING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 800 AND 2000 RPM. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, IT ALSO FEELS LIKE MY VEHICLE WANTS TO GET UP AND GO (AGAIN LIKE SOMETHING IS PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL). I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AND BOTH PLACES CAN'T PINPOINT WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. IT'S STARTING TO BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN. WHAT IF WHATEVER IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE OVERRIDES THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND I END UP HURTING SOMEONE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692230

100,000 miles · Jan 27, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteeringFire

THIS VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROX. 1/2 MILE FROM HOME WHEN POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IMMEDIATELY FLAMES SHOT UP THE WINDSHIELD. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS WELL 3/4 OF THE EXTERIOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679231

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.