NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
21 reportsClear category filter107,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
StructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD FAIL AN INSPECTION DUE TO THE FRAME NEEDING TO BE RE-WELDED. THE DEALER (TARBOX HYUNDAI, 3665 QUAKER LN, NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852, (401) 826-1500) WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD FAIL AN INSPECTION DUE TO THE FRAME NEEDING TO BE RE-WELDED. THE DEALER (TARBOX HYUNDAI, 3665 QUAKER LN, NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852, (401) 826-1500) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #11083384
125,000 miles · Oct 2, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSuspension
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM USED DEALER IN MARCH 4,2016 DESPITE NOT WANTING TO BUT HAD LITTLE CHOICE AFTER DEALER SOLD THE CAR I PUT MONEY DOWN ON THAT DAY FOR CASH WHILE I WAD RETRIEVING THE LAST DOCUMENT SHE SENT NE HOME FOR WHEN,I RETURBEDVMY CAR WAS GONE AND THE CAR IN STUCK IN NOW IS THIS HYUNDAI WITH A VERY SHAKY FRONT E…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM USED DEALER IN MARCH 4,2016 DESPITE NOT WANTING TO BUT HAD LITTLE CHOICE AFTER DEALER SOLD THE CAR I PUT MONEY DOWN ON THAT DAY FOR CASH WHILE I WAD RETRIEVING THE LAST DOCUMENT SHE SENT NE HOME FOR WHEN,I RETURBEDVMY CAR WAS GONE AND THE CAR IN STUCK IN NOW IS THIS HYUNDAI WITH A VERY SHAKY FRONT END THAT RATTLES AND LITERALLY SKIPS OFF THE ROAD INTO THE SHOULDER IF IN NOT VERY CAREFUL ,MY MECHANIC DAYS ITS THE STRUT ON DRIVER SIDE ,ADDITIONALLY THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ONBAT ALL TIMES AND I JUST FAILED A SAFETY INSPECTION FOE THIS VEHICLE AND CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE FIR LYFT OR NUMBER UNTIL ITS REPAIRED I ALREADY HAD TO FIX BRAKE LIGHTS TIRES BATTERY AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES ON THIS CAR IN ADDITION TO 1400 IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ESTIMATES TO,LEARN IT WAS MERELY A ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE COMPRESSOR AS IT APPEARS TO BE THE CASE FIR DOZENS OF OTHERS WITH NO COLD AIR ON THIS CAR MODEL SEE AXIL ADADDICREPAIR COMMENTS ON 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AC BLOWING HOT AIR. SO IM VERY UPSET HYUNDAI WILL NOT EVEN LOOK TO SEE WHY MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON DESPITE A KNOWN,ISSUE WITH AIR BAGS AND IT BEING RECALLED . MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL OPEN HOWEVER I FEEL AS LONG AS I AM DRIVING IT AND THE ISSUES REMAINS UNRESOLVED. I AM AT SERIOUS RISK IF THE AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE OR THE FACT IT REMAINS ON ALL THE TINE AND WHEN THERE'S A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT THE PASSENGER BAG OFF LIGHT APPEARS.
NHTSA ODI #10911078
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2016
Suspension
THIS RECALL NOTICE APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, [XXX] DEAR HYUNDAI SANTA FE OWNER, WE PREVIOUSLY SENT YOU A LETTER ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON YOUR 2001-2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. TO DATE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED ON YOUR VEHICLE. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE IN…
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THIS RECALL NOTICE APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, [XXX] DEAR HYUNDAI SANTA FE OWNER, WE PREVIOUSLY SENT YOU A LETTER ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON YOUR 2001-2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. TO DATE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED ON YOUR VEHICLE. PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SAFETY RECALL, TO VALIDATE THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS AFFECTED AND TO SCHEDULE AN ON-LINE APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER. WE URGE YOU TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE HYUNDAI RECALL HOTLINE AT 855-671-3059. YOU CAN ALSO FIND INFORMATION ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AT WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV. I WENT ON LINE AND SCHEDULED THIS RECALL MAINT. WHEN I CALLED TWO DAYS LATER TO THE SHOP TO VERIFY APPT. THEY INFORMED ME THEY DON'T DO THIS TYPE OF MAINTENANCE ON SATURDAY. I ASKED HIM WHO WAS GOING TO CALL ME AND LET ME KNOW THAT, BEFORE I DROVE 100MILES ROUND TRIP TO THE SHOP FROM MY TOWN. HE SAID HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY WAY TO CALL ME & NOT ENOUGH LABOR TO DO THIS TYPE OF JOB ON SATURDAY. I SAID WELL I CAN'T TAKE OFF WORK, SO HOW WILL I GET IT FIXED. HE SAID I DON'T KNOW MAM, "IT IS WHAT IT IS" . THIS MAN OVER YOUR SERVICE DEPT ON COVINGTON PIKE IS VERY RUDE AND COULD CARE LESS IF I GOT MY HYUNDAI FIXED OR NOT... WITH THAT KIND OF SERVICE AND LACK OF CONCERN FOR THE CUSTOMER, I DOUBT I WOULD BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI!!!!!!!! SO I HAVE ONE OF YOUR CARS THAT HAS A RECALL DUE TO YOUR NEGLIGENCE THAT I CAN'T GET FIXED BECAUSE YOUR PEOPLE WILL NOT DO IT ON SATURDAY AND I HAVE TO WORK ON WEEKDAYS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10865703
150,094 miles · Jul 18, 2015
Suspension
TOOK MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN TO THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE/TUNE UP AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AREA BELOW THE FRONT DOOR. THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD AND I DO LIVE IN A SALT BELT STATE, BUT I SEE T…
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TOOK MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN TO THE SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE/TUNE UP AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE DRIVER SIDE AREA BELOW THE FRONT DOOR. THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD AND I DO LIVE IN A SALT BELT STATE, BUT I SEE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THE 2003 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FOR SIMILAR FRAME RUST ISSUES, SO I NOW RECOMMEND THAT THE RECALL INVESTIGATION BE EXTENDED TO THE 2005 MODELS AS WELL. I WONDER IF I AM ONLY NARROWLY AVOIDING LOSS OF LIFE FOR MYSELF AND MY 4YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BECAUSE OF THIS RUST ISSUE? I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED, HAD WAITED JUST ONE MORE MONTH BEFORE HAVING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR REVIEWED BY A PROFESSIONAL? I SHUDDER TO THINK OF IT!! AT ANY RATE, THIS WILL BE MY LAST HYUNDAI PURCHASE SINCE THEY CLEARLY HAVE NOT MET MY OWN PERSONAL STANDARDS FOR SAFETY. I HOPE YOU WILL AGREE WITH MY OWN OPINION ON THE LACK OF SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE (IN SALT BELT STATES) BY BEGINNING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE LATER MODEL SANTA FE FRAME RUST ISSUES, AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
NHTSA ODI #10734958
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…
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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
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2014
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE SINCE THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED AND FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10644859
Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2014
Suspension
THE CAR IS REGISTERED TO ME AND MY DAUGHTER USES IT. SHE WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS SITUATION WITH CORROSION IN THE FRONT COIL SPRING AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT COULD CAUSE A TIRE TO BLOW OUT. A WEEK LATER I RECEIVED AN "INTERIM NOTICE" OF AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL FROM HYUNDAI…
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THE CAR IS REGISTERED TO ME AND MY DAUGHTER USES IT. SHE WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS SITUATION WITH CORROSION IN THE FRONT COIL SPRING AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT COULD CAUSE A TIRE TO BLOW OUT. A WEEK LATER I RECEIVED AN "INTERIM NOTICE" OF AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL FROM HYUNDAI. APPARENTLY THERE IS NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME. I CALLED TWO DEALERS AND THEY HAVE NO PARTS OR INSTRUCTIONS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AT THIS TIME. WHEN WILL THERE BE A REMEDY? HOPEFULLY IT HAPPENS BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639787
76,412 miles · Jan 6, 2014
Suspension
STARTED TO BACK MY VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. STOPPED, GOT OUT AND INSPECTED TO FIND THAT THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME THING HAPPEN…
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STARTED TO BACK MY VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. STOPPED, GOT OUT AND INSPECTED TO FIND THAT THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED MY TIRE. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME THING HAPPENING ON OTHER 2005 HYUNDAIS. HYUNDAI REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM/DEFECT. THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AS I'M SURE SERIOUS INJURY/DAMAGE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558679
200,000 miles · Dec 28, 2013
Suspension
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT 4AM TO GO TO WORK. I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. MY DRIVEWAY IS NOT LONG AND I AM ON THE ROAD IN ABOUT 5 FT. AS I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WENT DOWN. I ASSUMED I RAN OVER SOMETHING OR THAT MY BRAND NEW TIRES HAD FAILED. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR B…
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I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT 4AM TO GO TO WORK. I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. MY DRIVEWAY IS NOT LONG AND I AM ON THE ROAD IN ABOUT 5 FT. AS I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WENT DOWN. I ASSUMED I RAN OVER SOMETHING OR THAT MY BRAND NEW TIRES HAD FAILED. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. LATER THAT DAY AS MY HUSBAND WAS CHANGING THE TIRE HE DISCOVERED THE RIGHT FRONT COIL HAD BROKE AND IT PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THANK GOODNESS THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. BY READING ALL THE OTHER BROKEN COIL ISSUES THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG PROBLEM FOR 2005 HYUNDAI'S AND IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND INVESTIGATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557517
124,452 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Suspension
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 9 PM LOUD POP AND PULLED OVER THOUGHT HAD BLOWOUT ON MY 6 WEEK OLD NEW FRONT TIRES! DISCOVERED MY FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE. POPPED THRU MY TIRE. OUT IN FREEZING COLD HAD TO BE TOWED AND NOW HAVE NO CAR TIL FIXED, SEEING OTHERS ON HERE WITH SAME CAR SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556581
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
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.
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 ↗