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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
32,000 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Electrical System

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO MY 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. APPROXIMATELY IN THE MONTH OF MAY 2010, I BEGAN NOTICING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT WERE NUMEROUS IN DISTINCTION. TO SUMMARIZE A LIST OF THE PROBLEMS, I WILL BEGIN WITH THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT IN MAY 2010, I ATTEMPTE…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO MY 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. APPROXIMATELY IN THE MONTH OF MAY 2010, I BEGAN NOTICING PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT WERE NUMEROUS IN DISTINCTION. TO SUMMARIZE A LIST OF THE PROBLEMS, I WILL BEGIN WITH THE DOOR LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE. DURING THE INCIDENT IN MAY 2010, I ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK MY VEHICLE WITH THE PORTABLE LOCK/UNLOCK/ALARM KEYPAD AND FOR SOME ODD REASON THE PAD WOULD ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND STARTED THE CAR WHILE I RAN INSIDE TO GET SOME THINGS TO BRING HOME WITH ME. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT, ALL THE DOORS WERE LOCKED ON THE CAR SO I HAD TO HAVE MY BROTHER-IN-LAW TAKE ME BACK TO MY HOUSE TO GET MY SPARE KEY TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I BEGAN NOTICING A MEDLEY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE COMPASS THAT USE TO READ OUT ON MY OVERHEAD DOME LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE BLOWER FAN FOR THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM BEGAN TO WORK ERRATICALLY. WITH THE FAN SET TO OFF, IT WOULD STILL COME ON DESPITE THAT FACT. FOR EXAMPLE, IF IT IS SET TO OFF AND I PUT MY VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE FAN MORE OFTEN THAN NOT SWITCHES ON UNTIL I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE. I ALSO BEGAN HAVING AND ISSUE WITH MY ABS BRAKES. NOW THIS COULD BE THAT I NEED TO HAVE THE SENSORS CLEANED, BUT I FIGURED I'D MENTION IT NONETHELESS. MY ABS SYSTEM FREQUENTLY KICKS IN EVEN ON A DRY, SUNNY DAY. IT'S SPORADIC WHEN IT DOES THIS, SO IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO GAUGE WHEN THE NEXT INCIDENT MAY HAPPEN. NONETHELESS, THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS OF THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I HAVE ALMOST REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO MY BRAKES NOT BEING ENGAGED PROPERLY. I'VE CALLED HYUNDAI TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS REGARDING MY VEHICLE IN THIS MATTER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505532

27,000 miles · Oct 18, 2012
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AS WELL AS THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME DIFFICULTY OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AS WELL AS THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10480996

42,416 miles · Oct 15, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING A WINDING SOUND WHEN TURNING IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE BOTH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK AND PINION WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK THREE TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR DUE TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING A WINDING SOUND WHEN TURNING IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE BOTH THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK AND PINION WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK THREE TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR DUE TO THE RECURRENCE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING OIL PUMP AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. IN ADDITION, THE RESERVOIR FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED AND THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,416 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,697.

NHTSA ODI #10480157

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

70,000 miles · Sep 28, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND RESUMED DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND RESUMED DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ABS RING, WHICH WAS A COMMON DEFECT ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10477418

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

11,137 miles · Jul 15, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

AFTER ENGINE IS WARM, ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER, THERE IS A GURGLING IN THE FUEL TANK WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON (BEFORE AND AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED). I THINK IT IS FUEL BEING RETURNED FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWO DIFFERENT HYUNDAI SERVICE SHOPS, WITH THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWICE, AND A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR REPLACE…

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AFTER ENGINE IS WARM, ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER, THERE IS A GURGLING IN THE FUEL TANK WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON (BEFORE AND AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED). I THINK IT IS FUEL BEING RETURNED FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD IT IN TWO DIFFERENT HYUNDAI SERVICE SHOPS, WITH THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED TWICE, AND A FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR REPLACED. HAVING GIVEN UP, BOTH SHOPS CONTACTED THE DISTRICT HYUNDAI OFFICE AND A FIELD SERVICE ADVISER TOLD THE LOCAL SHOPS TO SHOW THE EVENT AS "NORMAL". IT IS NOT NORMAL AND I THINK THE HYUNDAI DISTRICT OFFICE IS HIDING THE PROBLEM. COULD BE A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM AND COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IF FUEL STARTS LEAKING. BOTH LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS NOW SHOW THE PROBLEM AS "NORMAL" AND NOTHING MORE WILL BE DONE ON THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IS APPROPRIATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465708

64,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WHICH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CLUTCH IN THE COMPRESSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10465068

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

38,000 miles · Jan 3, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10442265

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.