2005 Hyundai Santa FE: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 216 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (30% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2025
“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.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Sep 2024
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2022
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2022
“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 doesn't 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2022
“A car in front of me lost control and I braked to avoid an accident but the car turned and had no stability, forcing me to maneuver it to avoid crashing by leaning on my neck.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2020
“I have been getting electrical shocks from my car around the well of the drivers side. I have been told that there are 7 service bullitans on the car. I have had to go to urgent care and the emergency room over this and the doctor was worried that I may have nerve damage to my foot over this. I was told that this was related to the accelerator control/engine control module. I have been trying to get help with this and hyundai will not return my calls. I have wound up in the hospital over this and feel that this is highly unfair. This is dangerous.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
“Drivers chest seat belt is loose and the sensor in the seat belt you snap and lock it in place makes the "air bag" light for the driver only come on. I've had it diagnosed and checked by a licensed mechanic, and was told the seat belt is defected, and currently, as long as the "air bag" light remains on, even if they turned it off, the drivers air bag would not deploy if impacted hard enough in vehicle collision. The air bag is okay and in working condition, its the sensors in the seat belts in the driver's seat that are out of date. The "red light" remains on from the time I start the vehicle and its in park, idling, moving, up until we are back idling, and the engine is off. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
“The air bag indicator light in the instrument cluster stays on all the time when the ignition key is turned on. This indicates there is a problem with air bag system and needs further evaluation. Because the indicator light is on, poses a significant risk for occupant safety during a crash event.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Santa FE by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
NHTSA has 216 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE. The most complained-about area is air bags (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Hyundai Santa FE problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 84,050 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.