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2006 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe are lower than the model-year median of 212.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

85 reports with mileage · 21 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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

28 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2013
Air Bags

FOR THE PAST YEAR MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF IN MY SANTA FE. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A MASSIVE RECALL ON THE AIR BAG LIGHT. I CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND IF I NEEDED TO HAVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CHECKED OUT, THAT I WOULD HAVE T…

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FOR THE PAST YEAR MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF IN MY SANTA FE. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A MASSIVE RECALL ON THE AIR BAG LIGHT. I CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND IF I NEEDED TO HAVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CHECKED OUT, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515164

69,300 miles · Oct 13, 2012
Air BagsSeat Belts

I OWN 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, AND THE AIR BAGS LIGHTS WARNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND CAME BACK WITH EROR CODES B1706, ALTHOUGH THE MEANING WAS NOT EXPLAINED, DUE TO REASAERCH I PERFORMED I NOW KNOW THAT IT IS FOR PASSENGER BUCKLE PRETENSIONER RESISTANCE B…

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I OWN 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA, AND THE AIR BAGS LIGHTS WARNING LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND CAME BACK WITH EROR CODES B1706, ALTHOUGH THE MEANING WAS NOT EXPLAINED, DUE TO REASAERCH I PERFORMED I NOW KNOW THAT IT IS FOR PASSENGER BUCKLE PRETENSIONER RESISTANCE BEING TOO HIGH. I FOUND THIS PARTICULARLY ODD AS I USE THIS AS MY CAR TO COMMUTE TO WORK THUS THE PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED. THE DEALER WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE BELT BUCKLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER $600. I DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDS TO ADRESS THE ISSUE FOR THAT AMOUNT AT THAT TIME, HOWEVER CAME HOME AND PERFORMED EXTENSIVE REASEARCH ON-LINE AND THROUGH THE NHTSA SITE REGARDING THE ISSUE NOTING THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE IMPARTICULAR, ALTHOUGH MY DEALER HAD ASSURED ME IT WAS NOT. WHAT I DID NOT SEE WAS ANY RESPONSE FROM HYUNDAI REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND IN MOST CIRCOMSTANCES THE EFFECTED PERSON WAS RESPONDED TO, OR WAS RESONDED TO IN A NEGATIVE MANNER. THIS IS A POTENTIONALY MAJOR LIFE THRETENING SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN AIR BAGS DOES NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCEDENT. IT IS ALSO AN INCONVIENT PROBLEM NOTING THAT DUE TO THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINING ON, THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION REGULATIONS, AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE SOME PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE THIS PIECE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE AND A FAILURE ON THE MANUFACTURES PART TO OFFER A SAFE PRODUCT. I URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS AND THE IMPACT TO THE PASSENGERS' SAFETY AND URGE HYUNDI TO ISSUE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #10480017

80,000 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN A HEAVY PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FOUR TO FIVE TIMES AND AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN A HEAVY PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST FOUR TO FIVE TIMES AND AFTER RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10468803

81,811 miles · May 21, 2012
Air Bags

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT AN AUCTION. WHEN I RECEIVED IT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, BUT THE INSPECTOR PASSED IT. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO ON, BUT THE AGREEMENT COVERED THIS AND THE AUCTION DEALER REPAIRED THIS. I CALLED HUNDYAI ABOUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WOULD BE COVER…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AT AN AUCTION. WHEN I RECEIVED IT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON, BUT THE INSPECTOR PASSED IT. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALSO ON, BUT THE AGREEMENT COVERED THIS AND THE AUCTION DEALER REPAIRED THIS. I CALLED HUNDYAI ABOUT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED TO REPAIR THIS. I PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE WHAT ELSE COULD I DO. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10459156

1 miles · Nov 25, 2008
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DOES NOT ACTIVATE (ARM ITSELF) WHEN MY DAUGHTER SITS IN THE SEAT. MY DAUGHTER IS AN ADULT, WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 110 LBS AND IS PROPERLY SEATED AND WITH SEAT BELTS ON. THIS SITUATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE SALISBURY HYUNDAI DEALER WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR, AND RECENTLY TO THE OURSID…

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THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON MY 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE DOES NOT ACTIVATE (ARM ITSELF) WHEN MY DAUGHTER SITS IN THE SEAT. MY DAUGHTER IS AN ADULT, WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 110 LBS AND IS PROPERLY SEATED AND WITH SEAT BELTS ON. THIS SITUATION WAS PRESENTED TO THE SALISBURY HYUNDAI DEALER WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR, AND RECENTLY TO THE OURSIDMAN HYUNDAI DEALER IN LAUREL, MD WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. BOTH DEALERS CLAIM THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE EVENT, USING ANOTHER PURSON AS THE TEST SUBJECT. THEY HAVE NOT PERFORMED ANY TEST TO CONFIRM THAT THE INSTALLATION OF THE SAFETY FEATURE IS PROPER, MEETS YOUR STANDARDS, OR EVEN AT WHAT WEIGHT THE LIGHTLY FINALLY TURNS OFF. THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS TO MY DAUGHTER AND OTHER CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN RIDING IN THE FRONT SEAT. MY DAUGHTER IS A PRACTICING LAWYER IN MARYLAND AND REFUSES TO WASTE HER TIME VISITING THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THEY COMPLETE A VALID PERFORMANCE TEST. I AGREE, AND BELIEVE THE ONLY BENEFIT OF BRINGING HER TO THE DEALERSHIP WOULD BE TO PROVE I'M NOT LYING. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-633-5151 EXT 54327 ON OCTOBER 28TH AND HE ASSIGNED CASE NO. 3427197 TO IT AND REFERRED IT TO OTHERS. I NEXT HEARD FROM "ANNIE" AT EXT 54313, WHO GOT THE CASE AND SHE TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE SEAT IS SET AT 140 LBS, AND OTHER NONSENSE INFORMATION. THIS KIND OF CORRECTION OF A SAFETY ISSUE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I EXPECT HYUNDAI TO WITHER FIX THE SEAT OF REPLACE IT. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 30K MILES AND IS UNDER FULL WARRANTY. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUESTED IN MAKING HYUNDAI COMPLY WITH OUR SAFETY STANDARDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249782

11,000 miles · Apr 25, 2007
Air BagsCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE INTO TRAFFIC, STRUCK ANOTHER POLE AND A TRAFFIC SIGN. THE SIGN WAS KNOCKED DOWN, AND THE POLE WAS THE SNAPPED AT THE BASE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE INTO TRAFFIC, STRUCK ANOTHER POLE AND A TRAFFIC SIGN. THE SIGN WAS KNOCKED DOWN, AND THE POLE WAS THE SNAPPED AT THE BASE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 11000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188853

12,500 miles · Jan 22, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HIT THE BACK OF A STOPPED FARM TRUCK CARRYING A HAY BALE AT ABOUT 65 MPH, WHILE I AM ALIVE AND IN DECENT SHAPE CONSIDERING, I SURELY WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED AT LEAST ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, BUT NO, BRAND NEW CAR, TOTALED, I HAVE PICS, AND ALL THE AIR BAG…

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I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HIT THE BACK OF A STOPPED FARM TRUCK CARRYING A HAY BALE AT ABOUT 65 MPH, WHILE I AM ALIVE AND IN DECENT SHAPE CONSIDERING, I SURELY WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED AT LEAST ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, BUT NO, BRAND NEW CAR, TOTALED, I HAVE PICS, AND ALL THE AIR BAGS STILL TUCKED AWAY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS. I WOULD APPRECIATE A GOOD EXPLANATION FOR THIS AS I CURRENTLY OWN 2 HYUNDAI VEHICLES AND PLAN TO NOT PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND ON EVER AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10179423

3,000 miles · Feb 27, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT WHILE GOING 25-30 MPH. THERE WAS PRIOR BRAKING. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOW…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT WHILE GOING 25-30 MPH. THERE WAS PRIOR BRAKING. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI #10151342

Official recalls

1

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.

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.