IllustrationIN CRUISE CONTROL MODE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN THE REDUCE SPEED/COAST BUTTON WAS PUSHED. THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT THE FIRST SUCH INCIDENT; AT LEAST 10 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRED PREVIOUS TO THAT INCIDENT, AND 4 INCIDENTS SINCE. *TR
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
410–25K
1825–50K
2450–75K
3875–100K
38100–150K
16150K+
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 reportsAFTER A STOP, ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THIS IS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT; THERE HAVE BEEN APPROX 15 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OVER PAST 12-18 MONTHS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE SINCE THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED AND FAILURE.
THE CAR IS REGISTERED TO ME AND MY DAUGHTER USES IT. SHE WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS SITUATION WITH CORROSION IN THE FRONT COIL SPRING AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT COULD CAUSE A TIRE TO BLOW OUT. A WEEK LATER I RECEIVED AN "INTERIM NOTICE" OF AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL FROM HYUNDAI…
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THE CAR IS REGISTERED TO ME AND MY DAUGHTER USES IT. SHE WENT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS SITUATION WITH CORROSION IN THE FRONT COIL SPRING AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS IT COULD CAUSE A TIRE TO BLOW OUT. A WEEK LATER I RECEIVED AN "INTERIM NOTICE" OF AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL FROM HYUNDAI. APPARENTLY THERE IS NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME. I CALLED TWO DEALERS AND THEY HAVE NO PARTS OR INSTRUCTIONS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION AT THIS TIME. WHEN WILL THERE BE A REMEDY? HOPEFULLY IT HAPPENS BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A FAILURE WITHIN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A FAILURE WITHIN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTING IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTING IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THAT APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 11/06/14*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MOVED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO PUSH THE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT MOVED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO PUSH THE SEAT BACK INTO POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE TRUNK LATCH EITHER HAS A SHORT OR IT COMES LOOSE. THE TRUNK WILL BE SHUT AND THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF LIKE IT IS OPEN ALL THE TIME. EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF YOU HAVE TO GO AND OPEN AND CLOSE THE TRUNK TO MAKE SURE IT IS SHUT. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS, THE ALARM WILL START GOING OFF CONSTANTLY UNTIL YOU DO THIS…
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THE TRUNK LATCH EITHER HAS A SHORT OR IT COMES LOOSE. THE TRUNK WILL BE SHUT AND THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF LIKE IT IS OPEN ALL THE TIME. EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF YOU HAVE TO GO AND OPEN AND CLOSE THE TRUNK TO MAKE SURE IT IS SHUT. IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS, THE ALARM WILL START GOING OFF CONSTANTLY UNTIL YOU DO THIS. IT THINKS SOMEONE HAS OPENED IT WHILE THE ALARM IS ENGAGED. YOU WOULD THINK TO JUST NOT ENGAGE THE ALARM AND THAT WOULD TAKE CARE IF IT BUT IT IS NOT SO. THE ALARM OF THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES ON ITS OWN WHEN YOU WALK AWAY. *TR
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED MARCH 2014. THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELT FROM THE BEGINNING IS FINICKY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD CLICK AND LOCK AND SOMETIMES IT NEVER ENGAGES. BECAUSE OF THIS WE DECIDED TO JUST NOT USE THAT SEAT. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT JUST NEEDED REPLACED. NOW, YESTERDAY, THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE WHILE MY CHILD WAS…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED MARCH 2014. THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELT FROM THE BEGINNING IS FINICKY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD CLICK AND LOCK AND SOMETIMES IT NEVER ENGAGES. BECAUSE OF THIS WE DECIDED TO JUST NOT USE THAT SEAT. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT JUST NEEDED REPLACED. NOW, YESTERDAY, THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE WHILE MY CHILD WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT. I WAS GOING FROM A STOP AND TURNING INTO THE GROCERY STORE. MY SON'S SEAT FELL ON IT'S SIDE. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT HAD ACTUALLY BEEN UNDONE AT THAT POINT. I TRIED STRAPPING IT BACK AND IT WILL NOT ENGAGE. NOW I HAVE 2 SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK THAT DO NOT WORK. I UNDERSTAND MAYBE ONE GOING BAD BUT TWO SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE WITH THE SEAT BELTS IN GENERAL. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND NOW I CAN'T USE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I CAN ONLY USE SEAT BELT FOR 1 OF THEM (THE OLDEST SITS IN THE FRONT (SHE IS A TEENAGER). *TR
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.