2006 Hyundai Santa FE: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 106 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (23% of complaints).
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 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 264,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2023
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph when the vehicle began to accelerate without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact was able to pull over and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2021
“The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Gas tank rusted and started leak in June of 2000. Minor at first then worse. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, LUCKILY NEW CAUGHT FIRE OR EXPLODED. MANUFACTURER DID NOT NOTIFY US OF EXTENED WARRANTY,”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2020
“The air bag light is constantly on. When I turn the car on the passenger restraint light goes on to show restraint system off.. However when there is nobody sitting in front seat the light goes out and it should stay on”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 hyundai santa fe. When the contact shifted the gear in reverse, the vehicle accelerated backwards on its own. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a brick wall. The driver then shifted into the drive position and the failure recurred. As a result, the vehicle drove forward through the neighbor's fence before crashing into a parked vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The driver stated that the brakes were inoperable during the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 155,000. *js”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2019
“Air bag light is on continuously after starting (light goes out for 6" at ignition to on). It throws the code b1448. I can reset it with my scanner, but it returns after a week.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
“ABS warning lamp lit. B1513 diagnostic trouble code present. Reset of code and light returns after a couple of drive cycles. Error is pax seat belt buckle switch shorted to v+. No accident and mileage is 140k plan to r&r buckle and determine why cost for replacement part is so high. Price ranges from $180 to $400 for part.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2017
“Air bag light keeps coming on and off(every day , several times on a 30-45 mins drive ) on dashboard as I am driving on regular basis .. Seems like airbag won't deploy while light is on , and if there is an accident and light is on I think the driver airbag will not deploy . Hyundai dealers already know the issue and apparently is a bad electric connection on the seat belt click that needs to be replace ... They are willing to "diagnose it" for $125 .. But many people says the cost of repair is $490 . They wont acknowledge is a defect on the wiring and want people to pay for it .is very scary driving knowing that my airbag may not deploy”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
“A couple of weeks ago, my airbag light was intermittent. This lasted for a couple of days. Currently, my the light goes off for a second when starting the vehicle. Then, it is on all of the time.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 2006 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE. The most complained-about area is air bags (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Hyundai Santa FE problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Hyundai Santa FE have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:springs:coil springs. 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.