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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
66,000 miles · Sep 30, 2009
Structure

PURCHASED 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV AUGUST 2009. HAVE FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND IT IS EASY TO GET THE WRONG PEDAL WHEN DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285797

8,600 miles · Jul 27, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,600.

NHTSA ODI #10278420

53,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKING SOMETIMES CAUSES THE MOTOR TO RACE AND HARD BRAKING MAKES IT WORST. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND I FELT LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING AT ABOUT 10-20 MILES PER HOUR. DEALER ALWAYS "CANNOT DUPLICATE SAME RESULT" I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE SO IT IS NOT MY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266542

47,000 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE NOT WORKING WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WILL NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,700.

NHTSA ODI #10263278

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

ON A FREQUENT BASIS I CAN SMELL GASOLINE FUMES IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE FUMES THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS NORMAL, AND DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. IF THE FIRE WALL AROUND THE VEHICLE IS INTACT HOW CAN FUMES GET INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR? THEY DID SUGGEST IT MAY BE CAUSED BY AN A…

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ON A FREQUENT BASIS I CAN SMELL GASOLINE FUMES IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE FUMES THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS NORMAL, AND DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. IF THE FIRE WALL AROUND THE VEHICLE IS INTACT HOW CAN FUMES GET INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR? THEY DID SUGGEST IT MAY BE CAUSED BY AN AIR LOCK IN THE SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247482

18,000 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. HIS WIFE WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 125 LBS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 IS FOR THIS SAME FAILURE, BUT NOT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE CUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. HIS WIFE WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 125 LBS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 IS FOR THIS SAME FAILURE, BUT NOT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 11/10/08 *BF THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/13/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10244202

20,000 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN DEPRESSING BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY, BUT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SLOWING DOWN AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN DEPRESSING BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY, BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY. WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE JOLTED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED LOUDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 12/11/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE, HIS FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE MOVED SLOWLY. ONCE HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, THE ENGINE SURGED. UPDATED 12/11/08.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10243200

35,345 miles · Jul 4, 2008
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

DURING WINTER DRIVING IN SNOWSTORM WIPER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL OFF - MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SNOW BUILDUP ON WINDSHIELD. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT NUT HOLDING THAT ARM GOT LOOSE AND WAS LOST. SECOND ISSUE WAS THE WINDSHIELD THAT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM WITH NO OBVIOUS REASONS…

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DURING WINTER DRIVING IN SNOWSTORM WIPER CONTROL ARM ON DRIVER'S SIDE JUST FELL OFF - MAKING THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SNOW BUILDUP ON WINDSHIELD. IT WAS LATER DISCOVERED THAT NUT HOLDING THAT ARM GOT LOOSE AND WAS LOST. SECOND ISSUE WAS THE WINDSHIELD THAT DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM WITH NO OBVIOUS REASONS - NOTHING WAS HIT/ VEHICLE IS ALWAYS DRIVEN WITH CARE. DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER A WARRANTY THOUGH IT WAS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND CRACK WAS GETTING BIGGER. 3-RD ISSUE - DURING WET WEATHER/WARM-UP THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ALTERNATOR LIGHT ARE ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER 4 TIMES - THEY COULD NOT FIND THE REASON - CHARGING IS OK/ BRAKES ARE FINE - THE LAST TIME THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED WITH NEW ONE, BUT THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. 4-TH ISSUE - BRAKE CALIPER ON REAR PASS. SIDE IS STICKING THAT CAUSES A CONSTANT NOISE AND EARLY WEAR OF BRAKE PADS/ROTOR ON THAT SIDE - IT WAS REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND VEHICLE ONLY HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233195

1 miles · Apr 13, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THIS VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD WITH EXTREME UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. ON WET OR SLIPPERY PAVEMENT THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I HAVE READ NHTSA WEB SITE AND CAN SEE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE, YET NO RECALLS ISSUED BY NHTSA. NOT SURE WHY WE ARE WASTING MY …

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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THIS VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD WITH EXTREME UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. ON WET OR SLIPPERY PAVEMENT THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE. I HAVE READ NHTSA WEB SITE AND CAN SEE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE, YET NO RECALLS ISSUED BY NHTSA. NOT SURE WHY WE ARE WASTING MY TIME, BUT AT LEAST WHEN I AM KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE MY WIFE WILL BE ABLE TO NOW INCLUDE NHSTA IN THE LAWSUIT AS YOU, THE GOVERNING BODY, HAVE NOW BEEN OFFICIALLY INFORMED OF A SAFETY DEFECT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224355

24,500 miles · Apr 3, 2008
Power TrainCrash

MY 2005 SANTA FE (HYUNDAI) WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON GOT OUT OF MY SIGHT FOR 2 SECONDS GOT INTO THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND COASTED OUT OF MY DRIVE AND ACROSS THE STREET HITTING MY NEIGHBORS FORD EXPEDITION. NO KEYS AND HE IS TOO SMALL TO REACH ANY PEDALS. THIS WAS ALMOST A DEVASTATING ACCIDENT, THERE WH…

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MY 2005 SANTA FE (HYUNDAI) WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY 3 YEAR OLD SON GOT OUT OF MY SIGHT FOR 2 SECONDS GOT INTO THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND COASTED OUT OF MY DRIVE AND ACROSS THE STREET HITTING MY NEIGHBORS FORD EXPEDITION. NO KEYS AND HE IS TOO SMALL TO REACH ANY PEDALS. THIS WAS ALMOST A DEVASTATING ACCIDENT, THERE WHERE CHILDREN RIDING BIKES ON MY STREET AND A CAR DRIVING DOWN THE STREET .IT IS ALMOST A WEEK NOW AND I AM GETTING NOWHERE WITH HYUNDAI, AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL HYUNDAI INSPECTS THE CAR. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I CAN STILL PUT THE CAR IN ANY GEAR WITHOUT KEYS OR TOUCHING PEDALS. AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED SO YOU CANNOT STEER EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223228

Official recalls

3

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.