CarRecallDB

2005 Hyundai Santa FE recalls and problems

3 recalls and 216 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE.

3
recalls
216
owner complaints
18
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Hyundai Santa FE recalls

Suspension: front, springs, coil springs

NHTSA campaign 14V435000 · reported July 18, 2014 · Hyundai Motor Company · 271,773 vehicles potentially affected

The 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 “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.
The 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.
The 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 bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 05V527000 · reported November 17, 2005 · HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO · 134 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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 bags

NHTSA campaign 05V450000 · reported October 4, 2005 · HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY · 12,000 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 16, 2025 · 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…

Sep 25, 2024 · Latches/locks/linkages · 99,000 miles

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…

Apr 18, 2023 · Engine

Car all of a sudden stopped running like normal. Can't go above 20 mph without sounding like backfiring or dying

Mar 13, 2023 · Air bags · 145,670 miles

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.

Jan 5, 2023 · Air bags

The Air Bag light stays on and from my research the air bag will not work in an accident.

Santa FE model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2002 416592
2003 4308265
2004 3303327
2005 3216180
2006 1106113
2007 7684308
2008 4541177

Across all years, the 2017 Santa FE has the most complaints (971). All Hyundai Santa FE years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE, the most recent reported on July 18, 2014 (Suspension: front, springs, coil springs). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE?
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (74 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (44).
How many 2005 Hyundai Santa FE complaints mention a crash or fire?
18 of 216 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 14 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 16, 2025.