TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Santa Fe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
216 reportsWHILE 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.
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DUE TO FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLE; MECHANIC RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 40 AND LESS AND AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEN GOING OFF THEN IT STOPPED FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND HAS STARTED COMING IN AGAIN AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY
LEAKY GAS TANK WAS REPLACED THIS SUMMER AND NOW I HAVE GAS FUMES AGAIN
MY VEHICLE STARTED HANDLING FUNNY. SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING AND SLIDING AND DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. THIS WAS VERY CONCERNING SEEING I WAS DRIVING 55 MILES AN HOUR AT 5:00 AM ON A COUNTRY ROAD. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE IN PLACE IS TOTALLY RUSTED AWAY AND WAS FAL…
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MY VEHICLE STARTED HANDLING FUNNY. SEEMED TO BE SLIPPING AND SLIDING AND DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. THIS WAS VERY CONCERNING SEEING I WAS DRIVING 55 MILES AN HOUR AT 5:00 AM ON A COUNTRY ROAD. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE IN PLACE IS TOTALLY RUSTED AWAY AND WAS FALLING APART. THERE WAS A RECALL ON DIFFERENT HYUNDAI VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT, MY SANTA FE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT OWNERS OF THE SONOTA WERE HAVING AND THEY HAD A RECALL. MY VEHICLE IS PARKED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES FROM STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT'S CHILD, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, SUSTAINED BRUISING. MEDIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES FROM STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT'S CHILD, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, SUSTAINED BRUISING. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
I WAS DRIVING COMING UP TO A TURN, TOOK THE LEFT TURN, AND ACCELERATED LIKE A NORMALLY DO, THE CAR'S RPMS WENT UP TO ABOUT 5 THOUSAND RPMS. I HEARD A POP LIKE NOISE AND THE RPMS JUST STARTED DROPPING AND THERE WAS NO RESTRICTION ON THE GAS PEDAL (FELT LIKE I WAS PUSHING AIR). THE VEHICLE THEN JUST ROLLED ONCE IT WAS AT ABOUT 10 …
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I WAS DRIVING COMING UP TO A TURN, TOOK THE LEFT TURN, AND ACCELERATED LIKE A NORMALLY DO, THE CAR'S RPMS WENT UP TO ABOUT 5 THOUSAND RPMS. I HEARD A POP LIKE NOISE AND THE RPMS JUST STARTED DROPPING AND THERE WAS NO RESTRICTION ON THE GAS PEDAL (FELT LIKE I WAS PUSHING AIR). THE VEHICLE THEN JUST ROLLED ONCE IT WAS AT ABOUT 10 MPH RPMS WENT UNDER 1 THOUSAND AND THE VEHICLE DIED. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT IT WAS JUST CRANK AND CRANK, DOESN'T EVEN SOUND LIKE IT WANTS TO TURN OVER. PLEASE HELP.
I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN AND MY REAR SUB FRAME SNAPPED, I CONTACTED THE DEALER WITH WHOM I STILL MAKING PAYMENTS WITH ONLY TO BE TOLD THE MECHANIC CAN LOOK AT IT ON WED 7/19 , THE HAVE MADE NO OFFER TO FIX THIS AT NO COST WHICH I BELIEVE IS WRONG DUE TO THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT CAUSED BY ANYTHING I HAVE DONE. I W…
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I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN AND MY REAR SUB FRAME SNAPPED, I CONTACTED THE DEALER WITH WHOM I STILL MAKING PAYMENTS WITH ONLY TO BE TOLD THE MECHANIC CAN LOOK AT IT ON WED 7/19 , THE HAVE MADE NO OFFER TO FIX THIS AT NO COST WHICH I BELIEVE IS WRONG DUE TO THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT CAUSED BY ANYTHING I HAVE DONE. I WILL UPLOAD A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE AS SOON AS I GET IT. I BELIEVE THE DEALER I AM DEALING WITH IS ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY AND DOES NOT CAR ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VECHICLES SOLD.I DO KNOW AS I TALKED TO MY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A BIG SAFETY RISK AND THAT HYUNDIA SHOULD RECALL VECHICLES IN THE "SALT BELT STATES".
TIRE BLEW OUT TREAD CAME RIGHT OFF OF TIRE AND DAMAGED CAR. HOWEVER THE TIRE NEVER WENT FLAT. CAR WAS DAMAGED A LOT. MY DAUGHTER WAS VERY SCARED WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO HER THE OTHER DAY. SHE WAS TRAVELING ON THE NJTP SOUTH BOUND.
Official recalls
314V435000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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