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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

What owners actually said

106 reports
60,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF(EVERY DAY , SEVERAL TIMES ON A 30-45 MINS DRIVE ) ON DASHBOARD AS I AM DRIVING ON REGULAR BASIS .. SEEMS LIKE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY WHILE LIGHT IS ON , AND IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND LIGHT IS ON I THINK THE DRIVER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY . HYUNDAI DEALERS ALREADY KNOW THE ISSUE AND APPARENT…

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AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF(EVERY DAY , SEVERAL TIMES ON A 30-45 MINS DRIVE ) ON DASHBOARD AS I AM DRIVING ON REGULAR BASIS .. SEEMS LIKE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY WHILE LIGHT IS ON , AND IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND LIGHT IS ON I THINK THE DRIVER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY . HYUNDAI DEALERS ALREADY KNOW THE ISSUE AND APPARENTLY IS A BAD ELECTRIC CONNECTION ON THE SEAT BELT CLICK THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE ... THEY ARE WILLING TO "DIAGNOSE IT" FOR $125 .. BUT MANY PEOPLE SAYS THE COST OF REPAIR IS $490 . THEY WONT ACKNOWLEDGE IS A DEFECT ON THE WIRING AND WANT PEOPLE TO PAY FOR IT .IS VERY SCARY DRIVING KNOWING THAT MY AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ODI #11000116

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2017
Air Bags

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THIS LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CURRENTLY, MY THE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR A SECOND WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THEN, IT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10984271

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

LETTER FROM SENATOR SCHUMER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TIMING BELT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10882220

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2016
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF, THEN IT STAYS ON, HAD IT CHECKED AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN MOTION IN TEMPLE TX, ON THE STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10875655

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2016
Fuel System, GasolineSuspension

2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION RECALL NOTICE AND FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10870976

220,000 miles · Apr 16, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS WITHIN A 30 DAY PERIOD AT HIGHER SPEEDS (>65 MPH ON A FREEWAY) OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, REMEDIATED BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKING HARD WITHOUT PUMPING. THESE ACTIONS DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATION WITHOUT HAVING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRE…

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FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS WITHIN A 30 DAY PERIOD AT HIGHER SPEEDS (>65 MPH ON A FREEWAY) OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, REMEDIATED BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKING HARD WITHOUT PUMPING. THESE ACTIONS DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATION WITHOUT HAVING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED AGAIN, IN THE LATEST INCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH ON A CITY STREET, HOWEVER CAR WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP EVEN WITH FULL WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE, AND WHILE SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL SOLVED THE IMMEDIATE ACCELERATION PROBLEM, THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A FULL STOP. DRIVER ALMOST WRECKED SEVERAL CARS WHILE TRYING TO DODGE TRAFFIC AS CAR ACCELERATED VERY RAPIDLY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN HAD A TRAGIC ENDING BUT FORTUNATELY ONLY RESULTED IN A MECHANICS' VISIT.

NHTSA ODI #10859891

113,000 miles · Feb 18, 2016
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V122000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10836992

59,000 miles · Nov 2, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER PERFORMED TWO ECM UPDATES. UPDATED 01/25/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10787733

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I BROUGHT CAR FOR A INSPECTION STICKER AND IT FAILED BECAUSE A SMALL VAPOR LEAK. THIS WAS DONE IN MAY OF 2015. THE REPAIR MADE WAS TO REPLACE THE CELLULOID IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE SO COMPUTER COULD RESET ITSELF. WEEKS PASSED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. IT DID NOT WORK. BROUGHT BACK TO …

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I BROUGHT CAR FOR A INSPECTION STICKER AND IT FAILED BECAUSE A SMALL VAPOR LEAK. THIS WAS DONE IN MAY OF 2015. THE REPAIR MADE WAS TO REPLACE THE CELLULOID IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE VEHICLE SO COMPUTER COULD RESET ITSELF. WEEKS PASSED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. IT DID NOT WORK. BROUGHT BACK TO SHOP ONLY THIS TIME I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE AND UNDER CAR. WHEN MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT HE NOTICED 3 SMALL PIN HOLES IN THE TANK AND THAT'S WHERE WE GETTING THE VAPOR. I RESEARCHED IT FOR RECALL NOTHING FOUND CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING ABOUT MY PROBLEM. DURING MY RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS MANY ARTICLES OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. BUT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM WITH GAS TANKS.

NHTSA ODI #10750416

117,000 miles · Jul 28, 2015
Service Brakes

ON OR ABOUT JULY 1ST 2015 I WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE TIRE I NOTICE THAT THE BRAKE BACKING PLATE WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS HANGING BY A SLIVER OF RUSTY METAL. THIS AUTO USES A MINIATURE DRUM BRAKE AFFAIR ON THE REAR WHEELS TO ACTUATE THE PARKING BRAKE. IN MY OPINION, IF TH…

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ON OR ABOUT JULY 1ST 2015 I WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE TIRE I NOTICE THAT THE BRAKE BACKING PLATE WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS HANGING BY A SLIVER OF RUSTY METAL. THIS AUTO USES A MINIATURE DRUM BRAKE AFFAIR ON THE REAR WHEELS TO ACTUATE THE PARKING BRAKE. IN MY OPINION, IF THE CENTER OF THE BACKING PLATE RUSTS AWAY AND CAUSES THE BRAKE SHOE RETAINING PINS TO COME OUT THE BRAKE SHOE COULD CONTACT THE METAL DRUM AREA WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AUTO TO HAVE IT'S PARKING BRAKE ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING, LOCKING UP THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS AUTO WAS INTO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JUNE OF 2015 AND AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED CHANGING BUT NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE RUSTED OUT BACKING PLATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT A BACKING PLATE SHOULD NOT RUST THROUGH IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS. I BASE THIS ON THE FACT THAT I WORKED FOR A SERVICE GARAGE FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND HAVE DONE THE WORK ON MY OWN VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND IN MY EXPERIENCE BACKING PLATES SHOULD NOT RUST TO THE POINT OF PERFORATION IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #10744200

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.