NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
106 reports40,000 miles · Dec 5, 2011
EquipmentFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS ACTIVATED AND ONCE IT BECAME HOT, IT EJECTED FROM THE HOLDER INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RETRIEVE THE LIGHTER FROM THE FLOOR TO PREVENT STARTING A FIRE AND WAS BURNED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWAR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS ACTIVATED AND ONCE IT BECAME HOT, IT EJECTED FROM THE HOLDER INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RETRIEVE THE LIGHTER FROM THE FLOOR TO PREVENT STARTING A FIRE AND WAS BURNED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10438598
102,625 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,725 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,625.
NHTSA ODI #10428340
47,153 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT WITHIN THE BRAKE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL SHORT WITHIN THE BRAKE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,153.
NHTSA ODI #10422894
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2011
Tires
TOOK VEHICLE TO KAUFFMAN TIRES FOR WHEEL BALANCING. THEY RECOMMENDED NEW TIRES. THEY PUT ON COOPER DISCOVERER H/T 106T TIRES. DROVE THE CAR HOME, 2HOUR DRIVE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED BAD VIBRATION AND THE TIRES FELT LIKE THEY WERE MADE OF STONE! WENT TO DEALER, HAD ALIGNMENT AND WHEEL BALANCE DONE. THEY FOUND THE FRONTS TO BE ONE…
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TOOK VEHICLE TO KAUFFMAN TIRES FOR WHEEL BALANCING. THEY RECOMMENDED NEW TIRES. THEY PUT ON COOPER DISCOVERER H/T 106T TIRES. DROVE THE CAR HOME, 2HOUR DRIVE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED BAD VIBRATION AND THE TIRES FELT LIKE THEY WERE MADE OF STONE! WENT TO DEALER, HAD ALIGNMENT AND WHEEL BALANCE DONE. THEY FOUND THE FRONTS TO BE ONE OUNCE OUT ON EACH SIDE, AND POSSIBLY VIBRATION REMAINING WAS FROM A DEFECTIVE TIRE. WENT BACK TO TIRE DEALER WITH FINDING. WAS TOLD THAT DEALER WAS PROBABLY WRONG. I QUESTIONED THE CHANGE FROM P225'S TO THEIR RECOMMENDED P235'S, WAS TOLD BY TIRE DEALER THAT IT WAS OK PEOPLE USE DIFFERENT SIZES ALL THE TIME. I INSISTED ON TIRES OF THE CAR MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATION. HAD TO COME BACK A FEW DAYS LATER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE P225'S IN STOCK. WHEN I RETURNED I NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BULGE AS BIG AS A BASKETBALL ON THE SIDE FROM THE RIM, ACROSS THE SIDEWALL AND ALMOST TO THE TREAD. TIRE PLACE PUT ON GOOD YEAR LONG TRAILS P225'S AND THEY SEEM TO BE OK. RECOMMEND CITIZENS NEVER TRUST A TIRE DEALER! ALWAYS USE THE TIRE PLACARD FOR GUIDANCE! *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416838
52,312 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering
I WAS TRAVELING ON I-295 AND APPROXIMATELY HALF MILE FROM THE EXIT I NEEDED, MY BATTERY LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I NEARED THE OFF RAMP AND SLOWED DOWN TO 60 MPH, I STARTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND I HAD LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ADEQUATELY, AND WITH BOTH HANDS CONTINUALLY …
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I WAS TRAVELING ON I-295 AND APPROXIMATELY HALF MILE FROM THE EXIT I NEEDED, MY BATTERY LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I NEARED THE OFF RAMP AND SLOWED DOWN TO 60 MPH, I STARTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND I HAD LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ADEQUATELY, AND WITH BOTH HANDS CONTINUALLY FIGHTING WITH THE STEERING, I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO AN AREA SAFELY WHERE I COULD CONTACT MY MECHANIC AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THEIR PREMISES. UPON HIS INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING DAY, HE CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF IN FRONT OF THE BLOCK, AND THE HOLES ARE DAMAGED. I DID CONTACT HYUNDAI, AND THEY SEEMED VERY UNCONCERNED BY THE INCIDENT. I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT THAT BOLTS BREAKING AT ONLY 52,000 MILES WITHOUT REASON WOULD BE AN ISSUE THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE. EVEN THOUGH I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR USED, AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE CARFAX REPORT TO INDICATE THAT THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS, AND OF COURSE, THE CAR WARRANTY UNDER HYUNDAI EXPIRED IN APRIL. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A ONE OFF INCIDENT, OR A POSSIBLE PATTERN. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10417312
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS FOR ENGINE DAMAGE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GOODYEAR AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN SLUDGE AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEA…
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2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS FOR ENGINE DAMAGE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GOODYEAR AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THE ENGINE WAS COVERED IN SLUDGE AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE ENGINE BEING NEGLECTED DUE TO NOT HAVING PROPER OIL CHANGES. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD PROOF OF ALL THE OIL CHANGES. HYUNDAI REFUSED TO HONOR THE CONSUMERS WARRANTY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10391934
75,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH IN REVERSE IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN LOUD BANG FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED DUE A FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH IN REVERSE IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN LOUD BANG FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED DUE A FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10389701
71,200 miles · Mar 9, 2011
Fuel System, Other
GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND THEN ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. TAKEN TO HYDRAIN MECHANIC TWO TIMES. THE SECOND TIME THE MECHANIC EXPERIENCE THE GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK. JUST EXPERIENCE AGAIN ON MARCH 7-8, 2011 THIS HAS GONE ON FOR TWO YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389673
53,900 miles · Feb 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACT HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO APPLY AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LEAPING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACT HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO APPLY AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM LEAPING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
NHTSA ODI #10379981
62,282 miles · Jan 4, 2011
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPRING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BROKEN SPRING HAD CRACKS AND RUST. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPRING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BROKEN SPRING HAD CRACKS AND RUST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,282.
NHTSA ODI #10374602
Official recalls
1Jul 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 ↗