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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.

About this comparison →

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
94,000 miles · Apr 26, 2017
Air BagsSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND A CODE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND A CODE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10980915

120,000 miles · Mar 17, 2017
Air BagsSeat Belts

HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2005. AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP A FEW MONTHS LATER TO DIAGNOSE. SAID IT WAS SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND WILL COST $559 TO REPAIR. CAR HAS 120,000 MILES. THERE APPEAR TO BE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10966487

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2017
Service Brakes

THE ABS BREAKS KICK IN WHILE I'M DRIVING. MY CONCERN ISN'T AS MUCH IN THE DRYER WEATHER BUT WHEN IT IS SLICK OUTSIDE (SNOW ICE RAIN) THESE GEARS ARE GRINDING DOWN AND LOSING INTEGRITY EVERY TIME IT KICKS IN. (ALMOST EVERYTIME I BRAKE).

NHTSA ODI #10966380

90,171 miles · Feb 11, 2017
Service Brakes

WHILE TRYING TO STOP FROM LESS THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR FOR A LIGHT TURNING RED THE ABS CAME ON AND RELEASED THE BRAKES MAKING ME ROLL THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT, NO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS BUT DANG, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED BACK APPLYING VERY MUCH LESS BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT ON MODERATE BRAKING, I STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTIO…

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WHILE TRYING TO STOP FROM LESS THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR FOR A LIGHT TURNING RED THE ABS CAME ON AND RELEASED THE BRAKES MAKING ME ROLL THROUGH THE STOP LIGHT, NO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS BUT DANG, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED BACK APPLYING VERY MUCH LESS BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT ON MODERATE BRAKING, I STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. VERY VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY FATAL.

NHTSA ODI #10954008

120,000 miles · Jan 18, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS) AND 05V527000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10946150

115,589 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,589.

NHTSA ODI #10939735

190,000 miles · Oct 24, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

PURCHASED A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND FOUND AFTERWARD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FROM INSIDE THE PLASTIC SHELL SURROUNDING IT. DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN STATES THAT HAVE CORROSION (ROAD SALT) AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SPOT BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC SHELL. FOUND THAT HYUNDAI HAD NOT DONE A RECALL BU…

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PURCHASED A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND FOUND AFTERWARD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FROM INSIDE THE PLASTIC SHELL SURROUNDING IT. DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN STATES THAT HAVE CORROSION (ROAD SALT) AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SPOT BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC SHELL. FOUND THAT HYUNDAI HAD NOT DONE A RECALL BUT EXTENDED THE WARRANTY, BUT ONLY AN ADDITIONAL 5 YEARS OR 50, 000 MILES ON THE FUEL TANK. CONTACTED HYUNDAI BECAUSE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THEY (THE COMPANY) HAVE REPAIRED THESE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED 150,000 MILES AT COMPANY COST BUT I WENT THROUGH THE STEPS WITH THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION AND WAS TURNED DOWN. VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE OF LEAKING FUEL RIGHT NEXT TO HOT EXHAUST PIPE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10918517

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

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2016
Steering

ON 4/12/2010 WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING PUMP (THIS IS WHAT THEY TOLD US AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN RENO NV). AT THAT TIME THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER GUARANTY SO THEY SERVICED IT AND CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HOSE AND FLUID. AFTER APPROX. 27K MILES, WE STARTED NOTICING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET…

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ON 4/12/2010 WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING PUMP (THIS IS WHAT THEY TOLD US AT THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN RENO NV). AT THAT TIME THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER GUARANTY SO THEY SERVICED IT AND CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HOSE AND FLUID. AFTER APPROX. 27K MILES, WE STARTED NOTICING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET HARD AND A SOUND WILL START. PARTICULARLY WHEN TURNING IT LEFT AND RIGHT. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER ON 4/12/2013. THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN, THAT THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. UNFORTUNATELY THIS TIME WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GUARANTY ANYMORE SO WE HAD TO PAY $482.22 TO GET IT REPLACED AGAIN. THEY CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP ONLY. AFTER 10 DAYS WE HAD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY TOLD US THAT THIS TIME THE ISSUE WAS THE RM GEAR AND LINKAGE ASSY, POWER STEERING FLUID, RESERVOIR ASSY AND SOME OTHER THINGS, FOR A TOTAL CHARGE OF $1,386.78. NOW, 3 YEARS LATER, 8/15/2016, WE STARTED HEARING THE SAME SOUNDS AGAIN, AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD AGAIN. SAME SITUATION AS THE PREVIOUS 2 THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER ON 8/18/2016 BECAUSE AT SOME POINT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T LET US TURN AND IT TURNED OFF. WE WAITED A LITTLE AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THIS TIME, WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER (IN NC) THEY TOLD US THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AGAIN. WE LEFT OUR CAR TO BE FIXED AND THEY CALLED US SAYING THAT THIS TIME IT WASN'T THE PUMP BUT THE POWER STEERING SUCTION HOSE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT AND ALSO REPLACE THE FLUIDS. WE'VE PAID $421.52. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED UPON BECAUSE I DON'T FIND ACCEPTABLE THAT EVERY 2 OR 3 YEARS WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS SITUATION AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10902953

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.