Model year record

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls & problems

The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has 3 safety recalls and 216 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (76 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints216filed by owners

Crashes · fires18 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths14 · 2reported in complaints

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SuspensionJul 18, 2014

Front › Springs › Coil springs

Recall 14V435000271,773 vehicles

Problem: 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 Âsalt 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsNov 17, 2005

Frontal

Recall 05V527000134 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsOct 4, 2005

Air bags

Recall 05V45000012,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	20.3%

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Santa Fe 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Santa Fe 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Santa Fe 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Santa Fe 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Santa Fe 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Santa Fe 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal	76	8	13	93,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	44	8	2	21,950 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Coil springs	22	0	0	77,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	18	0	1	94,000 mi
Service brakes	18	2	1	86,250 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	14	0	2	102,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	13	0	0	35,172 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)	11	1	0	107,591 mi
Engine	11	1	1	107,591 mi
Electrical systemStarter assembly	10	0	1	80,565 mi
Unknown or other	8	1	0	135,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Fuel injection system	8	0	0	55,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
While merging onto the freeway, the accelerator pedal got stuck to the floor with the throttle wide open. The brakes and emergency brake were ineffective. Measures had to be taken to drive off of the road into ice plant, we we were able to turn off the engine. Further inspection revealed a missing grommet at the wall where the throttle cable passes through to connect to the gas pedal. Furthermore, the plastic around the throttle cable was cracked, which allows for the throttle cable and pedal to push through and get snagged. This could have ended horrifically. We are lucky to be alive.
Apr 12, 2025
Latches/locks/linkages › Tailgate › Lock
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to open while using the tailgate handle. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Sep 24, 2024 · 99,000 miles
Engine
Car all of a sudden stopped running like normal. Can't go above 20 mph without sounding like backfiring or dying
Apr 16, 2023
Air bags
The airbag light stays on constantly - mechanic says it's the switch in the passenger seat belt and they encounter this problem with this vehicle all the time. Prevents the airbag from deploying if not repaired.
Mar 13, 2022 · 145,670 miles
Air bags
The Air Bag light stays on and from my research the air bag will not work in an accident.
Dec 22, 2022
Air bags
The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Nov 14, 2022
Air bags
Airbag light is constantly on from the time I start the car, until I turn it off, mechanic stated it was the passenger seatbelt buckle switch. I've seen many posts online about the same exact thing happening to them. It poses a safety threat, as the airbags are not going to go off.
Jun 24, 2022
Electrical system
Emergency brake light does not turn off even when not used, since I finalized the vehicle when I fill the gas tank up the car doesnât want to start unless you rev the engine giving it some power, recently the vehicle has been not turning off after keys out of ignition unless pressing on the gas to kick start the engine turn off.
Mar 1, 2022

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.