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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

5 reports
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87,500 miles · Aug 6, 2018
Exterior LightingService Brakes

WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE, IT FEELS LIKE THE ABS ON STEROIDS KICKS IN, ON DRY PAVEMENT, (THIS WAS AFTER I HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED) I ENDED UP HAVING TWO NEW SETS OF BRAKES INSTALLED. HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE AFTER THEY PUT THE 'FACTORY BRAKES' INSTALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY LOOKED AT ME LIKE I AM CRAZY,…

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WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE, IT FEELS LIKE THE ABS ON STEROIDS KICKS IN, ON DRY PAVEMENT, (THIS WAS AFTER I HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED) I ENDED UP HAVING TWO NEW SETS OF BRAKES INSTALLED. HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE AFTER THEY PUT THE 'FACTORY BRAKES' INSTALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY LOOKED AT ME LIKE I AM CRAZY, SO THEY GREASED WHAT THEY COULD AND SAID IF IT KEPT DOING IT TO BRING IT BACK. THIS WAS OCT 2017. IT WAS GOOD FOR A WHILE AND THEN STARTED UP IN NOVEMBER AND AGAIN IN DECEMBER ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. I BOUGHT A NEW 2018 ELANTRA AND GAVE THE SANTA FE TO MY GRANDSONS. THEY CAME OVER AND SAID 'GRANDMA, WHAT'S UP WITH THE BRAKES' THEY FINALLY KNEW WHAT I MEANT. WHEN DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT, IN THE CITY, PUTTING ON BRAKES COMING TO A LIGHT THEN THE ABS KICKS IN. I PUT IN A COMPLAINT TO THE CONSUMERS AFFAIRS AT HYUNDAI. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND HAVE THEM CHECK IT. MY GRANDSONS TOOK IT OVER TO THE SAME PLACE AND AN OLDER MAN DROVE IT (KEEP IN MIND IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME) AND HE SAID HE COULD FEEL SOMETHING AND SAID IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT WOULD COST $800 TO BLEED THE LINES AND PUT A NEW MASTER CYLINDER IN. WELL, THE BRAKES DON'T GIVE OUT AND THEY DO NOT GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ' THEY ACT LIKE ABS ON STEROIDS. SO IF I HAVE THEM REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR $800, PLUS WHATEVER, AND IT STILL DOES IT, THEN WHAT? I SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE ' WHAT IS UP HYUNDAI? SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHERS TOO. :/ THIS STARTED ABOUT JUNE 2017 AND SPORADICALLY UNTIL NOW. FEW TIMES A MONTH AND NOW MORE . FOR THE LIGHTING - THE FRONT HEADLIGHT GOES OUT ONCE A YEAR LIKE CLOCKWORK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT IS ONLY HALF ON.

NHTSA ODI #11118085

70,000 miles · Aug 13, 2016
Exterior Lighting

BOUGHT VEHICLE USED IN OCTOBER 2014. IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HALOGEN BULB 4 TIMES. HAVE USED THE LEAST EXPENSIVE BULB TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE BULB AND ALL BURN OUT WITH IN A FEW MONTHS OF INSTALLATION. THE FIRST INSTALLATION WAS DONE BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE REST I INSTALLED…

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BOUGHT VEHICLE USED IN OCTOBER 2014. IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HALOGEN BULB 4 TIMES. HAVE USED THE LEAST EXPENSIVE BULB TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE BULB AND ALL BURN OUT WITH IN A FEW MONTHS OF INSTALLATION. THE FIRST INSTALLATION WAS DONE BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE REST I INSTALLED. ALSO, THE RUNNING LIGHTS IN THE SAME LOCATION (BOTH WHITE AND AMBER) SOMETIMES COME ON AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO HIT THE OUTSIDE TO THE LENSES TO GET THEM TO TURN ON. DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS RELATE TO THE LOW BEAM ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10895589

81,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015
Exterior LightingService Brakes

THIS HAS BEEN A REPEATED PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. EARLY ON I WOULD HAVE A BRAKE LAMP LIGHT THAT I WOULD BE TOLD WAS OUT. WE WOULD TAKE THE LIGHT BULB OUT AND REINSERT AND IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ASSUMED IT JIGGLED LOOSE. THEN, AT A LATER TIME, I WOULD BE TOLD THAT THE OTHER BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT, AND WE WOULD REPEAT THE PROCE…

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THIS HAS BEEN A REPEATED PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME. EARLY ON I WOULD HAVE A BRAKE LAMP LIGHT THAT I WOULD BE TOLD WAS OUT. WE WOULD TAKE THE LIGHT BULB OUT AND REINSERT AND IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ASSUMED IT JIGGLED LOOSE. THEN, AT A LATER TIME, I WOULD BE TOLD THAT THE OTHER BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT, AND WE WOULD REPEAT THE PROCESS AND TAKE IT APART AND IT WOULD AMAZINGLY START WORKING AGAIN. BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER 2014, TAKING THE LIGHT APART NO LONGER FIXED IT, SO WE CHECKED AND REPLACED FUSES AND LIGHTBULBS, BUT IT DIDN'T FIX IT. UP UNTIL THIS TIME, THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND THEN IT WOULD BE THE LEFT ONE INTERMITTENTLY. THEN, AS OF DECEMBER 2014, NEITHER BRAKE LIGHT WORKS AND THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW HAS FIVE SMALL BULBS THAT STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES, BUT CURRENTLY THE THIRD LIGHT IN THE REAR WINDOW IS THE ONLY LIGHT THAT COMES ON WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE.SINCE IT IS APPARENTLY NOT THE LAMP OR THE FUSE, I'M WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE HYUNDAI RECALL NO. 092, A STOP LAMP SWITCH RECALL, OR ANY OTHER RECALL PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE, SINCE I AM READING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE? I AM AFRAID THAT I AM GOING TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT AND NOW, APPARENTLY, FULL-TIME PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE BECAUSE AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS, THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING ON. THANK YOU!

NHTSA ODI #10678178

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. STOP LIGHT SWITCH FAIL, $25 PART. RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR LATER MODEL YEARS 2007-2011 SANTA FE'S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564235

47,000 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,700.

NHTSA ODI #10263278

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.