← New search

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 →

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

Service Brakes complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringInjury

I HAVE BEEN GETTING ELECTRICAL SHOCKS FROM MY CAR AROUND THE WELL OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE 7 SERVICE BULLITANS ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO GO TO URGENT CARE AND THE EMERGENCY ROOM OVER THIS AND THE DOCTOR WAS WORRIED THAT I MAY HAVE NERVE DAMAGE TO MY FOOT OVER THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO…

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN GETTING ELECTRICAL SHOCKS FROM MY CAR AROUND THE WELL OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE 7 SERVICE BULLITANS ON THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO GO TO URGENT CARE AND THE EMERGENCY ROOM OVER THIS AND THE DOCTOR WAS WORRIED THAT I MAY HAVE NERVE DAMAGE TO MY FOOT OVER THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS RELATED TO THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL/ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HELP WITH THIS AND HYUNDAI WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS. I HAVE WOUND UP IN THE HOSPITAL OVER THIS AND FEEL THAT THIS IS HIGHLY UNFAIR. THIS IS DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11374286

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,…

Read full complaint

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

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2017
Service Brakes

THE ABS BREAKS KICK IN WHILE I'M DRIVING. MY CONCERN ISN'T AS MUCH IN THE DRYER WEATHER BUT WHEN IT IS SLICK OUTSIDE (SNOW ICE RAIN) THESE GEARS ARE GRINDING DOWN AND LOSING INTEGRITY EVERY TIME IT KICKS IN. (ALMOST EVERYTIME I BRAKE).

NHTSA ODI #10966380

90,171 miles · Feb 11, 2017
Service Brakes

WHILE TRYING TO STOP FROM LESS THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR FOR A LIGHT TURNING RED THE ABS CAME ON AND RELEASED THE BRAKES MAKING ME ROLL THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT, NO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS BUT DANG, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED BACK APPLYING VERY MUCH LESS BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT ON MODERATE BRAKING, I STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTIO…

Read full complaint

WHILE TRYING TO STOP FROM LESS THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR FOR A LIGHT TURNING RED THE ABS CAME ON AND RELEASED THE BRAKES MAKING ME ROLL THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT, NO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS BUT DANG, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED BACK APPLYING VERY MUCH LESS BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT ON MODERATE BRAKING, I STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. VERY VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY FATAL.

NHTSA ODI #10954008

58,600 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FROM A STOP AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO TWO TREES. THE AIR BAGS DID …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING FROM A STOP AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO TWO TREES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,600.

NHTSA ODI #10909871

48,450 miles · May 18, 2016
Service Brakes

THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS, IT FEELS LIKE THE ABS SYSTEM IS ENGAGING BUT THE BRAKING IS WEAK. I HAVE TO DISENGAGE AND THEN REENGAGE THE BRAKES, SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THEM TO WORK. RESEARCH ON THE WEB INDICATES THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 MODEL YEAR IS UNDER …

Read full complaint

THIS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. WHILE ENGAGING THE BRAKES AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS, IT FEELS LIKE THE ABS SYSTEM IS ENGAGING BUT THE BRAKING IS WEAK. I HAVE TO DISENGAGE AND THEN REENGAGE THE BRAKES, SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THEM TO WORK. RESEARCH ON THE WEB INDICATES THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE 2004 MODEL YEAR IS UNDER A RECALL. IT NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 2005 MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10865640

153,000 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Service Brakes

WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AT LOW SPEED, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CLICKS IN, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE. MY SON DROVE THE CAR AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS HE COULDN'T STOP. HE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM # 065 ON 2003-2004 MODEL YEARS BUT CLEARLY THE PROBLEM EXTENDS TO…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED AT LOW SPEED, THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM CLICKS IN, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE. MY SON DROVE THE CAR AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS HE COULDN'T STOP. HE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM # 065 ON 2003-2004 MODEL YEARS BUT CLEARLY THE PROBLEM EXTENDS TO 2005 MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10861238

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2015
Service Brakes

WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEBODY GOT IN FRONT OF ME I PUSH THE BREAK PEDAL AND MY BREAKS WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER THAT I RELIES THE BREAKS I DID IT AGAIN HAD TO PUMP THE BREAKS A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER MARKS AN ERROR ON THE ABS SYSTEM, AF…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND SOMEBODY GOT IN FRONT OF ME I PUSH THE BREAK PEDAL AND MY BREAKS WILL NOT ENGAGE AFTER THAT I RELIES THE BREAKS I DID IT AGAIN HAD TO PUMP THE BREAKS A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER MARKS AN ERROR ON THE ABS SYSTEM, AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I LEARN THAT THE SAME MODEL GOT RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING JUST JUMP MY MANUFACTURE YEAR 2005 AND WENT TO THE NEXT YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10736088

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2015
Service Brakes

WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE IT VIBRATES AND ACTS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BRAKE WITH CRUNCHING NOISE SOUND AND I LITERALLY HAVE TO TAKE MY FEET OFF THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATOR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT HAS THE SAME NOISE WHEN PRESSING ON IT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO …

Read full complaint

WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE IT VIBRATES AND ACTS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BRAKE WITH CRUNCHING NOISE SOUND AND I LITERALLY HAVE TO TAKE MY FEET OFF THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATOR IS DOING THE SAME THING IT HAS THE SAME NOISE WHEN PRESSING ON IT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO DIFFERENT PLACES THAT FIX CARS AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY WHEN DRIVING BUT IT MANAGES TO DO SO EVERYDAY. THIS IS PUZZLING TO ME AND I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. PROBLEM BEING CHECKED INTO CAN SAVE A LIFE. BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR ARE TWO VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEMS WHEN YOU DRIVING ON A STREET OR HIGHWAY. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION, BECAUSE IT IS NOT FUN AND GAMES DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, IN FACT IT IS SCARY AND I AM TIRED OF BEING SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND TIRED OF COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE. AS THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE BY HYUNDAI YOU SHOULD HAVE COMPASSION ENOUGH TO FIND OUT WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM. PEOPLE ARE NOT JUST MAKING THIS UP. THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 02/28/2015. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713313

174,354 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Air BagsService BrakesSuspension

UNABLE TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN TWELVE MONTHS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. LAST MAY 2014 I WAS IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN GOING ABOUT 45 AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED I KEPT MOVING OVER TO A CLEAR LANE ON MY LEFT TRYING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND HAD TO TURN INTO THE MEDIAN AND DO A U- TURN, THE CAR ROLLED TO A S…

Read full complaint

UNABLE TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN TWELVE MONTHS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. LAST MAY 2014 I WAS IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN GOING ABOUT 45 AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED I KEPT MOVING OVER TO A CLEAR LANE ON MY LEFT TRYING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND HAD TO TURN INTO THE MEDIAN AND DO A U- TURN, THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE PEDAL AND THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT WAS FULL. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND TESTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO WORK. I CALLED MY HYUNDAI DEALER AND HAD THEM LOOK THE CAR OVER AND THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION. YESTERDAY I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPROACHING A LINE OF TRAFFIC AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, I DID NOT THINK TO USE THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE BUT THE GOOD NEWS NO DAMAGE. ..UPDATED 03-16-15 *BF ALSO, THE FRONT SPRING WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS SINCE ILLUMINATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693939

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.