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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

13 reports
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74,500 miles · Apr 19, 2013
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, ON A MAJOR LOCAL INTERSTATE, MY CHECK BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, BUT FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE SOFT AND I ENDED UP HAVING TO PUSH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD TO GET ANY RESISTANCE. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO THE HYUNDAI D…

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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, ON A MAJOR LOCAL INTERSTATE, MY CHECK BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, BUT FOUND OUT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE SOFT AND I ENDED UP HAVING TO PUSH THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD TO GET ANY RESISTANCE. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP A MILE AWAY WHERE THEY REALIZED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS EMPTY DUE TO A RUPTURED SEAL IN THE BRAKE CALIBER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL HAD LITERALLY SNAPPED IN HALF AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL WAS DISLOCATED AND BROKEN. MY CAR HAD JUST BEEN IN THE SAME DEALERSHIP ONE WEEK PRIOR HAVING A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED IN IT (UNDER WARRANTY). AS NO LOUD BANG OR NOISE OCCURRED AS WITH THE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THE COILS BROKE OR SHIFTED DURING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT WHEN THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT, AND NOT ON THE SUSPENSION. THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE THAT NEITHER OF THESE COILS WERE FOUND BROKEN AT THAT TIME HAS ME INCENSED. THE FACT THAT A SOLID STEEL COIL THAT TAKES 4,000LBS TO COMPRESS CAN BREAK IN HALF LIKE THAT IS DISTURBING. I ASSUME THAT WITHOUT THE SUSPENSION, DUE TO THE BROKEN COILS, THE BRAKES SUFFERED DAMAGE AND THE ABOVE INCIDENT OCCURRED. I WAS VERY LUCKY INDEED THAT NOTHING WORSE HAPPENED, BUT AS THIS IS A RECURRENT ISSUE WITH THE HYUNDAI COIL SUSPENSION AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED THROUGH A RECALL. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF THE DAMAGE, AS ARE THE SUSPENSION COILS (WE SAVED EVERYTHING). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508781

45,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A GROCERY WHEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF A CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE WHICH IN TURN WAS PUSHED INTO THE SIDE OF A SECOND AUTO PARKED IN THE THIRD SPACE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE PAS…

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VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A GROCERY WHEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF A CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE WHICH IN TURN WAS PUSHED INTO THE SIDE OF A SECOND AUTO PARKED IN THE THIRD SPACE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE PAST BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY 2007. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 2 DEALERSHIPS AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ANY VEHICLE. THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE AUTO COULD NOT BE STOPPED USING THE BRAKES AND THE AUTO COULD NOT BE STEERED. THE OTHER TIMES WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND WERE NOT AWARE OF A STEERING PROBLEM. DO KNOW THAT THE BRAKES JUST BARELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AFTER STANDING ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET. I NOW FEAR SERIOUS INJURY TO ME, MY WIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE. THIS VEHICLE COULD VERY WELL TAKE US OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426412

35,000 miles · Jun 25, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE WHEN STOPPING AND ALMOST EVER TIME WHEN THE MAKE THE NOISE THERE IS A PULSATING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHECKED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND HE IS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408907

97,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE G- SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE G- SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10347218

40,120 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionTires

THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTE FE BROKE WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BLOW OUT AND THE BRAKE LINE TO BE DAMAGED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THE SPRING, ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AS WELL. BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, LEFT TIRE AND BRAKE LINE WERE REPLA…

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THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING ON MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTE FE BROKE WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BLOW OUT AND THE BRAKE LINE TO BE DAMAGED. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER THE SPRING, ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AS WELL. BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, LEFT TIRE AND BRAKE LINE WERE REPLACED. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE DEALER IF HE'S SEEN THIS BEFORE AND HE SAID HE HAD ONE OTHER TIME. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO WITH THE SANTE FE'S AS THESE PARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE ON A VEHICLE WITH 40,000 MILES ON IT, AS WELL AS IF I WERE AT HIGHWAY SPEED I'M QUITE SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BAD ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339327

53,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKING SOMETIMES CAUSES THE MOTOR TO RACE AND HARD BRAKING MAKES IT WORST. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND I FELT LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING AT ABOUT 10-20 MILES PER HOUR. DEALER ALWAYS "CANNOT DUPLICATE SAME RESULT" I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE SO IT IS NOT MY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266542

35,345 miles · Jul 4, 2008
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

DURING WINTER DRIVING IN SNOWSTORM WIPER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL OFF - MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SNOW BUILDUP ON WINDSHIELD. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT NUT HOLDING THAT ARM GOT LOOSE AND WAS LOST. SECOND ISSUE WAS THE WINDSHIELD THAT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM WITH NO OBVIOUS REASONS…

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DURING WINTER DRIVING IN SNOWSTORM WIPER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL OFF - MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SNOW BUILDUP ON WINDSHIELD. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT NUT HOLDING THAT ARM GOT LOOSE AND WAS LOST. SECOND ISSUE WAS THE WINDSHIELD THAT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM WITH NO OBVIOUS REASONS - NOTHING WAS HIT/ VEHICLE IS ALWAYS DRIVEN WITH CARE. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER A WARRANTY THOUGH IT WAS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND CRACK WAS GETTING BIGGER. 3-RD ISSUE - DURING WET WEATHER/WARM-UP THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ALTERNATOR LIGHT ARE ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER 4 TIMES - THEY COULD NOT FIND THE REASON - CHARGING IS OK/ BRAKES ARE FINE - THE LAST TIME THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED WITH NEW ONE, BUT THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. 4-TH ISSUE - BRAKE CALIPER ON REAR PASS. SIDE IS STICKING THAT CAUSES A CONSTANT NOISE AND EARLY WEAR OF BRAKE PADS/ROTOR ON THAT SIDE - IT WAS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND VEHICLE ONLY HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233195

2,000 miles · Nov 16, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE WARPED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS; HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS ONCE AGAIN; HOWEVER, A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE WARPED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS; HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE ROTORS ONCE AGAIN; HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKES PADS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #10209171

3,962 miles · Jul 31, 2006
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE RESURFACED ROTORS, VIBRATING STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. *KB THE LEFT FRONT SPEAKER MADE A NOISE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164780

3,962 miles · Jul 25, 2006
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BRAKE PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. ROTORS HAD ALREADY BEEN RESURFACED. *KB THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THE LEFT SPEAKER WAS MAKING AN NOISE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10164740

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.