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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

What owners actually said

216 reports
71,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

MY MOMS SANTA FE HAS SPED OUT OF CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE LAST INCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL CARS. SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON THE ROAD WHERE CAR SPED UP AND SHE TUR…

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MY MOMS SANTA FE HAS SPED OUT OF CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE LAST INCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL CARS. SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON THE ROAD WHERE CAR SPED UP AND SHE TURNED IT OFF. THE THIRD WAS BACKING OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE HITTING A CAR AND THEN TRIED TO PUT IN NEUTRAL BUT WENT INTO DRIVE INSTEAD. SHE HIT A POST AND THE FRONT END WRAPPED AROUND THE POST BUT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY. STATE FARM AND MANY ATTORNEYS WON'T TOUCH THIS CASE BECAUSE OF THE COSTS INVOLVED TO SUE SUCH A LARGE CORPORATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500947

46,000 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Suspension

FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED DAMAGING FRONT STRUT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF PREMATURE UNEXPECTED BREAKAGE THAT HAS RESULTED IN SUDDEN TIRE PUNCTURE WHEN THE SPRING HITS THE TIRE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING FLAW. HYUNDAI HAS NOT INITIATED A RECALL BUT SHOULD. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THI…

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FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED DAMAGING FRONT STRUT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF PREMATURE UNEXPECTED BREAKAGE THAT HAS RESULTED IN SUDDEN TIRE PUNCTURE WHEN THE SPRING HITS THE TIRE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING FLAW. HYUNDAI HAS NOT INITIATED A RECALL BUT SHOULD. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT A LOW SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499592

48,000 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT WAS UNRELATED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM HOWEVER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOLLOWING THE CRASH, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT WAS UNRELATED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM HOWEVER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOLLOWING THE CRASH, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED BECAUSE AFTER BLEEDING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS OT AWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIR NEEDED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. ## VIN FAILED ##

NHTSA ODI #10498255

42,192 miles · Jan 8, 2013
Suspension

STARTED VEHICLE, PLACED IN REVERSE, SUSPENSION COIL ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BROKE, PUNCTURED NEW TIRE, AND BROKE STRUT. HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE 2005 SANTA FE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT BEING REPORTED TO THE RIGHT PLACE. THIS COULD BE A DEADLY SITUATION IF HAPPENS WHILE DRIVIN…

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STARTED VEHICLE, PLACED IN REVERSE, SUSPENSION COIL ON FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BROKE, PUNCTURED NEW TIRE, AND BROKE STRUT. HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE 2005 SANTA FE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT BEING REPORTED TO THE RIGHT PLACE. THIS COULD BE A DEADLY SITUATION IF HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10492501

85,000 miles · Dec 27, 2012
Service Brakes

BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WITHIN LAST 6 OR 7 MONTHS; HOWEVER, FRONT BRAKES PULSATE (LIKE ABS IS ENGAGING) WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS EVEN BEFORE AND AFTER BRAKE REPAIRS. ON DEC 21, 2012, I DROPPED OFF MY GRANDSON AT SCHOOL AND WENT TO PARK ON A STREET NEXT TO THE SCHOOL. THE FRONT…

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BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WITHIN LAST 6 OR 7 MONTHS; HOWEVER, FRONT BRAKES PULSATE (LIKE ABS IS ENGAGING) WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS EVEN BEFORE AND AFTER BRAKE REPAIRS. ON DEC 21, 2012, I DROPPED OFF MY GRANDSON AT SCHOOL AND WENT TO PARK ON A STREET NEXT TO THE SCHOOL. THE FRONT BRAKES PULSATED WHEN BRAKING TO PARK (ABOUT 4 MILES PER HOUR) AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST ALL BRAKING POWER -- COASTED TO A STOP (ABOUT 10 FEET). I SUSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE IS BAD FOR SOME OF THE 2005 MODELS. THE 2003 AND 2004 YEAR MODEL ABS CONTROL MODULES HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT APPARENTLY NOT FOR THE 2005 MODEL YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490271

30,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10482310

24,000 miles · Sep 4, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 10/31/12 *CN UPDATED 11/08/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10473699

79,695 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Air Bags

THERE IS A RED LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG. I CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY ADVISED IT IS PROBABLY A SENSOR. I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY BUT THEY "DO NOT THINK" THAT WILL HAPPEN. IT MAY BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX DEPENDING IF THIS IS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT OR STEERING WHEEL. THEY ADVISED THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL SO I WOULD H…

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THERE IS A RED LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG. I CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY ADVISED IT IS PROBABLY A SENSOR. I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY BUT THEY "DO NOT THINK" THAT WILL HAPPEN. IT MAY BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX DEPENDING IF THIS IS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT OR STEERING WHEEL. THEY ADVISED THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED. I BELIEVE THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL VEHICLE HAD SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471962

70,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Air BagsSeat Belts

WE OWN A 2005 SANTA FE BY HYUNDAI. WE HAVE BEEN READING BLOGS ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT SENSOR GOING BAD ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOT DEPLOYING IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. OURS IS NOW DEMONSTRATING THIS. THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND THE ISSUE AFTER BEING RUN THROU…

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WE OWN A 2005 SANTA FE BY HYUNDAI. WE HAVE BEEN READING BLOGS ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT SENSOR GOING BAD ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOT DEPLOYING IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. OURS IS NOW DEMONSTRATING THIS. THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND THE ISSUE AFTER BEING RUN THROUGH A DIAGNOSTIC AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS AS EXPECTED TIED TO A SEAT BELT SENSOR ISSUE. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MORE OF THESE ISSUES AND SOME HAVE ACTUALLY WON CASES DEALING ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL WITH HYUNDAI OF AMERICA WHICH IS WHAT WE INTEND TO DO, BUT IF THIS IS SUCH A RAMPANT ISSUE, THERE SHOULD BE A FURTHER INVESTIGATION DONE AND A VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THEIR PART TO ASSURE THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYABLE AT ALL TIMES AND NOT JUST WHILE THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469434

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2012
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

MY MOTHER DIED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. HER SANTA FE WENT THROUGH A "T" INTERSECTION WITHOUT STOPPING CROSSING HIGHWAY, WENT AIRBORNE OVER HILLSIDE AND STRUCK A TREE. SEVERED SPINE, CHEST TRAUMA AND SHATTERED ANKLE. THERE ARE NO SKIDS MARKS AT THE SCENE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOY BUT WHEN? STEERING COL…

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MY MOTHER DIED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. HER SANTA FE WENT THROUGH A "T" INTERSECTION WITHOUT STOPPING CROSSING HIGHWAY, WENT AIRBORNE OVER HILLSIDE AND STRUCK A TREE. SEVERED SPINE, CHEST TRAUMA AND SHATTERED ANKLE. THERE ARE NO SKIDS MARKS AT THE SCENE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOY BUT WHEN? STEERING COLUMN IS CRUSHED IN AND STEERING WHEEL WAS BENT INWARD. THE ROAD SHE WAS ON IS A RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET. THERE IS A 100 FEET DOWNGRADE BUT STRAIGHT AS YOU APPROACH THE STOP SIGN. THE "T" INTERSECTION IS A TWO LANE NOT WELL TRAVELED ROAD. SHE DROVE THIS ROAD MANY TIMES BEFORE. WHAT MAKES A VEHICLE TRAVEL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN A 100 FEET STRAIGHT AWAY, GO THROUGH A STOP SIGN GET AIRBORNE AFTER CROSSING HIGHWAY? ACCELERATION STICKING? WHY IS THERE SO MUCH DAMAGE TO STEERING COLUMN IF AIRBAG WENT OFF? COULD THE ACCELERATOR GET STUCK AND MY MOTHER PANIC AND TRIED TO STOP CAR BY STEPPING ON BRAKES MAKING A PANIC DECISION, NOT KNOWING TO TAKE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR OR TURNING VEHICLE OFF? WAS THERE ENOUGH TIME. I LOST MY MOTHER AND AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS, I THINK THESE AND ALL HYUNDAI VEHICLES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468754

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.