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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

44 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2025
Vehicle Speed Control

While merging onto the freeway, the accelerator pedal got stuck to the floor with the throttle wide open. The brakes and emergency brake were ineffective. Measures had to be taken to drive off of the road into ice plant, we we were able to turn off the engine. Further inspection revealed a missing grommet at the wall where th…

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While merging onto the freeway, the accelerator pedal got stuck to the floor with the throttle wide open. The brakes and emergency brake were ineffective. Measures had to be taken to drive off of the road into ice plant, we we were able to turn off the engine. Further inspection revealed a missing grommet at the wall where the throttle cable passes through to connect to the gas pedal. Furthermore, the plastic around the throttle cable was cracked, which allows for the throttle cable and pedal to push through and get snagged. This could have ended horrifically. We are lucky to be alive.

NHTSA ODI #11655016

102,000 miles · Jan 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THROTTLE STUCK NEARLY CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. FAULTY TPS SEEN MANY WITH SAME COMPLAINTS..

NHTSA ODI #11292467

106,797 miles · Jun 11, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

ME AND MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH OUR 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE HELP. I WENT TO HYUNDAI DEALER AND SAID THAT NO INDICATOR OR ENGINE LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI #11219374

139,000 miles · Jan 31, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE HAD BEEN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE MOMENTS WHEN IT LURCHED ITSELF FORWARD QUITE VIOLENTLY, MORE SO AFTER TRANSMISSION HAD TIME TO WARM UP. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED MOMENTS OF DECELERATION WITHOUT CAUSE. ITS AS IF THE VEHICLE CANNOT PROPERLY SHIFT GEARS. CHECK ENGINE LIGH…

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VEHICLE HAD BEEN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE MOMENTS WHEN IT LURCHED ITSELF FORWARD QUITE VIOLENTLY, MORE SO AFTER TRANSMISSION HAD TIME TO WARM UP. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED MOMENTS OF DECELERATION WITHOUT CAUSE. ITS AS IF THE VEHICLE CANNOT PROPERLY SHIFT GEARS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE OF WEEKS. HAD VEHICLE LOOKED OVER BY MECHANIC BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. VEHICLE IS PARKED UNTIL ANOTHER MECHANIC CAN LOOK AT IT. IT IS BY NO MEANS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL PROBLEM IS FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11066166

130,000 miles · Jan 13, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE SOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. APPLYING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT SLOW ACCELERATION. I THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. WITHIN 2 SECONDS THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO DECREASE AND RETURNED TO NORMAL. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPE…

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WHILE SOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. APPLYING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT SLOW ACCELERATION. I THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. WITHIN 2 SECONDS THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO DECREASE AND RETURNED TO NORMAL. VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED ON 15 JAN 2018. A SIMILIAR PROBLEM OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2014 WHILE I WAS BACKING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. AT THAT TIME, I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. AN INSPECTION BY DEALER REVEALED SEVERAL CRACKED VACUUM HOSES AND A FAULTY PCV VALVE.

NHTSA ODI #11062585

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 …

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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

19,900 miles · May 17, 2016
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON MAY 16, 2016 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 HYUNDAI ON A CITY STREET AND IT STARTED TO SURGE AND I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW IT DOWN BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN THE DRIVEWAY BUT THE UNFORTUNATE PART IS IT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HIT MY HOUSE. IT WAS A VERY TERRIFYING EXPERIENC…

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ON MAY 16, 2016 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 HYUNDAI ON A CITY STREET AND IT STARTED TO SURGE AND I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW IT DOWN BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP. LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT IN THE DRIVEWAY BUT THE UNFORTUNATE PART IS IT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT HIT MY HOUSE. IT WAS A VERY TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10865374

75,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS CONSTANTLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED UNTIL IT IS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T TURN ON AT ALL AND THE FUSE IS GOOD.

NHTSA ODI #10849825

62,000 miles · Jan 27, 2015
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN, MY CAR WAS STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. . MY CAR LEARCHED FORWARD. I COULD FEEL THE ENGINE ACCELERATE. BY THE TIME I GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL, I HIT THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME. THE TRUNK WAS DAMAGED, NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE EXPERIENC…

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WHILE WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN, MY CAR WAS STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. . MY CAR LEARCHED FORWARD. I COULD FEEL THE ENGINE ACCELERATE. BY THE TIME I GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL, I HIT THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME. THE TRUNK WAS DAMAGED, NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ACCELERATION BEFORE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALER, THE DISCUSSING ENDS UP WITH THE DEALER SUGGESTING THAT I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND NOT THE BRAKE. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT WHEN THIS OCCURS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOTHING. THE SHIFT MUST BE MOVED TO NEUTRAL THE FOOT TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE. EVERY TIME I DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER HE SAYS SHOW HIM WHAT HAPPENS, THE PROBLEM I CAN NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM AND CANNOT BE CREATED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT AS I READ THE COMPLAINTS I AM NOT ALONE. HYUNDAI HAS GOT TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679289

85,000 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

AFTER A RAIN WHEN I START THE VEHICLE AND START DRIVING IT IS FINE UNTIL I REACH 20MPH. THEN IT ACTS LIKE IT IS NOT RECEIVING ANY POWER. IT WILL NOT SPEED UP NO MATTER HOW I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. I NOTICE THAT IF I PUT IT IN MANUAL AND GO FROM 1ST TO 2ND IT WILL STRAIGHTEN OUT AND DRIVE FINE. BUT, IF I PUT IT BACK INTO AUTOM…

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AFTER A RAIN WHEN I START THE VEHICLE AND START DRIVING IT IS FINE UNTIL I REACH 20MPH. THEN IT ACTS LIKE IT IS NOT RECEIVING ANY POWER. IT WILL NOT SPEED UP NO MATTER HOW I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. I NOTICE THAT IF I PUT IT IN MANUAL AND GO FROM 1ST TO 2ND IT WILL STRAIGHTEN OUT AND DRIVE FINE. BUT, IF I PUT IT BACK INTO AUTOMATIC DRIVE AT A STOP SIGN IT WILL DO THE SAME THING STALLING OUT AT 20 MPH. IF I DRIVE IT FAR ENOUGH WITH OUT STOPPING IT WILL EVENTUALLY STRAIGHTEN ITSELF OUT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THIS. WE HAVE DONE A TUNE UP ON IT AND IT DID NOT HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627506

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.