IllustrationAIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A SHORT IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY SAID NEED TO REPLACE RIGHT SIDE FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY $1545.95. *TR
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Santa Fe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
410–25K
1825–50K
2450–75K
3875–100K
38100–150K
16150K+
175 reports with mileage · 41 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
74 reportsAIR BAG FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS ON. CERTAIN MODELS WERE ONLY RECALLED, BUT MY LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. SINCE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT LISTED FOR THAT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CORRECT WITHOUT OVER $450 SERVICE CHARGE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500.
AIR BAG/OCS LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAYS ON CONTROL PANEL.VIN NUMBER FOR THIS MODEL DOES NOT APPEAR UNDER 2005 NHTSA AIRBAG RECALL NUMBER 05V450000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A FAILURE WITHIN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A FAILURE WITHIN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
RECENTLY I GOT B1513 CODE WITH MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I FOUND THAT MANY SANTA FE OWNER'S HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BAD SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR(S) WHICH SEEM CAUSING AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY HYUNDAI USED A BAD BUCKLE SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I RECENTLY LEARNED …
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RECENTLY I GOT B1513 CODE WITH MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I FOUND THAT MANY SANTA FE OWNER'S HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BAD SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR(S) WHICH SEEM CAUSING AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY HYUNDAI USED A BAD BUCKLE SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS (SEAT BELT BUCKLE) IN 394000 SONATA MODELS. *TR
SEAT BELT LIGHT REMAINS ON, AND ADVISED BY MECHANIC THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. SEVERAL REPORTED ISSUES WITH THIS, SO WHY HASN'T HYUNDAI RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE? MY DAUGHTER OF 21 IS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS A SECOND VEHICLE. I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT HER SAFETY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHED 120 POUNDS SAT IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHED 170 POUNDS OCCUPIED THE SEAT. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHED 120 POUNDS SAT IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHED 170 POUNDS OCCUPIED THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OC SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN
A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SIMPLY SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE ALREADY MANY SAME VEHICLES HAD A SAME PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS DUE TO THE BAD WIRE CONNECTIONS UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DUE TO T…
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A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SIMPLY SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE ALREADY MANY SAME VEHICLES HAD A SAME PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS DUE TO THE BAD WIRE CONNECTIONS UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DUE TO THE FAULT DESIGN OF THE WIRE CONNECTION AND WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN A CERTAIN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THIS AIR BAG ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Official recalls
314V435000 · 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.
05V527000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 17, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AS AN ADULT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CRASH OR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A SIDE COLLISION CRASH; SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE'S OCS WILL PROPERLY CLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN WHEN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AND WILL DISABLE THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAGS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN FOR RECOGNITION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.
05V450000 · Air Bags
Oct 4, 2005
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AS AN ADULT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CRASH OR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A SIDE COLLISION CRASH; SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE'S OCS WILL PROPERLY CLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN WHEN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AND WILL DISABLE THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAGS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN FOR RECOGNITION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.