NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
216 reports59,250 miles · May 18, 2012
Suspension
NOISE AND RUBBING OCCURRED WHILE BACKING CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY. DISCOVERED LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN AND RUBBING ON TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRE, DEALER REPLACED COIL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ADVISED US TO REPLACE TIRE . THIS CAR DID NOT ARRIVE HOME THE NITE BEFORE THIS WAY AS IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG . T…
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NOISE AND RUBBING OCCURRED WHILE BACKING CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY. DISCOVERED LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN AND RUBBING ON TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRE, DEALER REPLACED COIL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND ADVISED US TO REPLACE TIRE . THIS CAR DID NOT ARRIVE HOME THE NITE BEFORE THIS WAY AS IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG . THE DEALER WROTE IT OFF AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND SAID OTHER SIDE WAS FINE . AFTER READING OTHER HISTORIES THEY WILL BE HEARING BACK FROM ME ! IN MY OPINION IF THIS HAPPENED AT ROAD SPEED IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN OUT THE TIRE, NO IF'S AND'S OR BUT'S ABOUT IT . IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PRETTY AS THE BROKEN END WAS DUG INTO THE TIRE. CAN WE SAY CLASS ACTION ? WHERE DO WE START ? BTW THIS CAR IS SERVICED BY THE DEALER ONLY AND PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF ! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458976
94,300 miles · May 10, 2012
Suspension
THE LEFT FRONT STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE IN TWO,WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, I AM A 30 YEAR ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN, AND THIS FAILURE IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR OCCURRENCE, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE HAPPENING ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY ISSUE , THAT THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION SHOULD BE ADD…
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THE LEFT FRONT STRUT COIL SPRING BROKE IN TWO,WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, I AM A 30 YEAR ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN, AND THIS FAILURE IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR OCCURRENCE, I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE HAPPENING ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY ISSUE , THAT THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458062
99,000 miles · May 7, 2012
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457711
100,802 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Suspension
RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AS HAS BEEN NOTED NUMEROUS TIMES BY OTHER HYNDAI SANTA FE OWNERS...SHOULD BE RECALL! *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453575
90,000 miles · Mar 29, 2012
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR, THE BASE OF THE SEAT BELT AND THE SENSOR COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR, THE BASE OF THE SEAT BELT AND THE SENSOR COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #10453432
90,000 miles · Mar 9, 2012
Air Bags
CANNOT GET PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT NOT SURE IF WORKING SACRED FOR SAFETY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10450838
57,000 miles · Feb 28, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LOOSE POWER WHILE SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LOOSE POWER WHILE SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE DEFECT NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,010.
NHTSA ODI #10449626
55,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE CAR "LURCHES" FORWARD AND THE ENGINE "REVES" UP. I'VE HAD IT TO THE MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT SEEM TO FIND A REASON FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING. IT IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE BECOME FEARFUL WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. THIS HA…
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SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE CAR "LURCHES" FORWARD AND THE ENGINE "REVES" UP. I'VE HAD IT TO THE MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN NOT SEEM TO FIND A REASON FOR THIS TO BE HAPPENING. IT IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE BECOME FEARFUL WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AS REGULAR STREET ROADS. I'VE SEEN MANY FORUMS ON LINE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS. I REALLY HOPE THAT SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THESE COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447908
82,580 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
I HAD MY SUV WORKED ON PRIOR TO DRIVING IT HOME WHEN I NOTICED A REALLY LOUD NOISE THAT GOT MY ATTENTION. I PULLED MY CAR OVER TO A GAS STATION FILLED UP AND TRIED TO TURN MY ENGINE OVER AND MY ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP. I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY WHICH WAS DIFFICULT SINCE IT WAS THANKSGIVING MORNING AND WAIT AN HR TO GET IT TO TH…
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I HAD MY SUV WORKED ON PRIOR TO DRIVING IT HOME WHEN I NOTICED A REALLY LOUD NOISE THAT GOT MY ATTENTION. I PULLED MY CAR OVER TO A GAS STATION FILLED UP AND TRIED TO TURN MY ENGINE OVER AND MY ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP. I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY WHICH WAS DIFFICULT SINCE IT WAS THANKSGIVING MORNING AND WAIT AN HR TO GET IT TO THE SHOP. I FOUND OUT MY AC COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP MY MOTOR AND I HAD PAID OVER 3000 IN REPAIRS. I HAD THE POWER STEERING BELT PUT ON AND I WAS NOT INFORMED THE AC COMPRESSOR COULD HAVE BURNT UP MY NEW BELT. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY STEERING WHEEL FEELING LOOSE. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP DIDN'T INFORM ME THEY HAD REMOVED MY FUSES # 10 AND # 30. I HAD FOUND THEM LYING ON MY AC COMPRESSOR COVER. THIS CAR WAS RUNNING HOT AND MY MOTOR LOCKED UP DUE TO THE AC COMPRESSOR, SOLENOID ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10446125
1,000 miles · Jan 20, 2012
Air Bags
PASSANGER AIR BAG SYSTEM NEVER WORKED PROPERLY IT WAS RETURNED TO DEALER MANY TIMES AND WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS. TO THIS DATE THE SYSTEM ONLY WORKS PART TIME,WE WERE TOLD THE PASSANGER MUST WEIGH AT LEAST 125 POUNDS WELL MY WIFE WEIGHS 135 POUNDS.MANY TIMESI HAVE TO REMIND MY WIFE TO GET UP A…
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PASSANGER AIR BAG SYSTEM NEVER WORKED PROPERLY IT WAS RETURNED TO DEALER MANY TIMES AND WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS. TO THIS DATE THE SYSTEM ONLY WORKS PART TIME,WE WERE TOLD THE PASSANGER MUST WEIGH AT LEAST 125 POUNDS WELL MY WIFE WEIGHS 135 POUNDS.MANY TIMESI HAVE TO REMIND MY WIFE TO GET UP AND SIT DOWN HARDER,ONE DAY WE WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10444619
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
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.
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 ↗
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