2004 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 303 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 32 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 35 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, springs, coil springsJul 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V435000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAL NOISE TO DEVELOP. AT SPEEDS BELOW 5 MPH, THE ABS SENSOR SIGNAL NOISE MAY CAUSE THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) TO ACTIVATE THE ABS, EXTENDING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.
IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 04V131000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsDec 18, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 03V520000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Sep 17, 2019
MY AIR SBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT WON'T TURN OFF.I DON'T IF IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR BAGS OR JUST THE LIGHT.IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR YEARS.THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR IT TO TURN ON. I'VE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT,SO I DON'T IF IT WILL WORK WHEN NEEDED. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD FOR IT. I THINK THIS A MALFUNCTION AND SHOULD CHECKED BY A DEALER AT NO COST.
Air bags, Wheels, Service brakes, Aug 24, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP ON THIS VEHICLE 15 YEARS OLD BRAKES ALSO NOT LIKE USE TO BE I AM OWN THIS SUV LAST 15 YEARS I NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT I AM WORRY NEED TO BE FIXED FOE MY SAFETY [XXX] OWNER, C [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Apr 17, 2019
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON DURING THE MORNING DRIVE THEN SHUT OFF NEXT TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED. ON/OFF PERODICALLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. NOW THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. A GLIMSPE ONLINE HINT SIMLAR OWNERS HAVEING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY ARE SAYING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WIRING.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2018, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 29, 2018, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET IN PLANO, TEXAS. A TRUCK PULLED OUT TO GET INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND WAS CAUGHT OFF AND FORCED TO PULL INTO MY LANE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AFTER TRYING TO STOP, WHICH ISN'T A PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW IT IS NORMAL. WHAT OCCURRED WAS THAT AS I STRUCK THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND MY SEAT BELT HAD FAILED TO LOCK. WHICH CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SPEED I STRUCK THE TRUCK, WHICH WAS GOING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN WE COLLIDED, WAS ABOUT 45 MPH.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jan 8, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT ON NOISE WHEN I START CAR
Air bags, Structure, Nov 15, 2017, crash
I WAS IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT BACK IN DECEMBER 7, 2005 WITH MY 2004 HYUNDIA SANTE FE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND SCRAPPED THUS I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER HANDY. I DO STILL HAVE THE PAPERWORK FROM THE HOSPITAL AND THE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MY USUAL ROUTE ON EASTON AVENUE. I'M TOLD (REPORTS FROM WITNESSESS) A YOUNG GIRL CAME OUT OF A SIDE STREET AND HIT ME IN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHICH IN TURN SPUN MY CAR INTO 2 OTHER VEHICHLES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD I WAS TRAVELLING DOWN. AS STATED EARLIER I HAVE LITTLE RECALL SINCE THE IMPACT KNOCKED ME UNCONSCIOUS. I SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE (SCAR STILL THERE) AND TORN LEFT SHOULDER- WHICH STILL BOTHER ME DAILY. I WAS HIT BLINDSIDE AND SPIN INTO 2 OTHER VEHICLES- KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. I STILL SUFFER NIGHTMARES RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT AND AM CURRENTLY SEEING A COUNSELOR SPECILIZING IN TRAUMA AND PTSD.
Suspension, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 13, 2016
IT DON'T WORK RITE WHEN I LET THE CAR WARM UP AND THEN PUT MY FEET ON THE BRAKES IT SOUND LIKE IT DON'T WANTED TO GIVE GAS I SMELL GAS BUT I DON'T SEE ANY ON THE GROUND THE END TAKE IS ALL MESS UP THE AIR BAGS DO NOT GO OFF IT STAY ON AND I KEEP EVERYTHING UP TO THE CAR JUST DON'T ACT RITE
Air bags, Dec 11, 2016
AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON CONSTANTLY, AND DON'T GO OFF. I WAS RIDING AND LIGHT POP ON AND STAY ON.
Air bags, Dec 5, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE (LEFT SIDE) SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Air bags, Nov 28, 2016
TODAY, 11/2816, RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG "DEPLOYED" FOR NO REASON. DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH. NO IMPACT OR COLLISION. SEAT RIPPED OPEN. *TR
Air bags, Sep 15, 2016, crash
WAS ON HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT POSTED SPEED OF 70MPH WHEN WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY A DUI DRIVER. THIS MADE MY CAR GO INTO A SPIN AND ROLLOVER 4 TIMES. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. I RECEIVED DISLOCATION OF MY COLLARBONE THAT NEEDED EMERGENCY SURGERY, CONCUSSION, FRACTURED NOSE, LACERATIONS TO HEAD AND FACE, KNEE AND HIP INJURY.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM THE SEAT WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, ARM, HIP, RIB, AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,294.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. JUST PRIOR TO A HYUNDAI RECALL IN 5/3/16 FOR A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK, MY "AIR BAG" LIGHT WENT OFF. LET ME BACK TRACK . IN 5/16, MY CAR BEGAN LEAKING GAS UNDERNEATH. SO BADLY, THAT ONE DAY WHILE PASSING THE FIRE/POLICE STATION IN NORFOLK, MA THE FIRE CHIEF AND HIS CREW BEGAN PURSUING ME. STOPPING ME IN MY DRIVEWAY, I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE LEAK AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO SURRENDER MY CAR, IT WAS A "SAFETY HAZARD TO (ALL)." I PRESENTED A AAA MEMBERSHIP CARD. THE CHIEF HIMSELF CALLED AND ARRANGED A TOW TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. AFTER 2 DAYS, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI CORPORATION STATING THAT MY "GAS TANK WAS FAULTY" AND WAS SUBJECT TO A "RECALL". IMAGINE THE TIMING ON THAT? THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF HYUNDAI SOUNDED JUST GREAT ON THE PHONE. BUT WHEN MY MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD NOT TOUCH THE CAR FOR FEAR OF COMPLICATING THE WARRANTY, NO ONE INCLUDING HYUNDAI WOULD SEND ANYONE TO TOW THE CAR. AT MY PERSONAL PERIL, I DROVE TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. AS I APPROACHED THE RECEPTION AREA, ALL REMAINING GAS GUSHED OUT OF MY CAR. I WAS GIVEN A BEAUTIFUL CURRENT HYUNDAI TO DRIVE AS A LOANER CAR; I NEEDED THAT CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS "READY", THEIR ADVISOR ISSUED 2 PAGES OF PROBLEMS ALLEGEDLY EXISTING AND TRIED TO SELL ME A NEW CAR. I HAVE SINCE HAD SOMEONE ELSE LOOK AT MY CAR; NONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS EXIST. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALER, I ALSO ASKED THEIR ADVISOR "WHY HYUNDAI HADN'T FIXED THE AIR BAG LIGHT?" OVER THE 2 MTHS THEY HAD MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT "HYUNDAI DIDN'T USE TAKATA AIR BAGS." HOWEVER, NUMEROUS FRIENDS OF MINE DRIVING OTHER MODELS OF HYUNDAI HAVE RECEIVED RECALLS CITING THE "TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL." MY PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER TOLD ME "THE BAG ALONE WOULD COST $800. BUY A NEW CAR!" WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
Air bags, Aug 29, 2015
ON DAY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ON THE VEHICLE AND HAS NEVER GONE OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD COST $450!. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO SPEND THAT MUCH MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $3000 ON REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY IT TO. FROM THE NUMBER OF AIR BAG COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED.
Air bags, Jun 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP REMAINED ILLUMINATED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS WAITING FOR THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Suspension, Air bags, Jun 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION). THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Nov 30, 2014
WHILE LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE, THE AIR BAG IN THE BACK OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED, INJURING MY BACK AND MY LEFT KNEE. MY CHIROPRACTOR GOT MY BACK SOMEWHAT REPAIRED, BUT MY KNEE ENDED UP HAVING A MENISCUS TEAR THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. HYUNDAI IS WILLING TO REPLACE WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OUT FOR MEDICAL CARE AND TO FIX MY CAR. I WILL BE HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE THANKS TO THIS AIR BAG INCIDENT. I BELIEVE HYUNDAI SHOULD PAY FOR ALL FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES RESULTING FROM THIS INCIDENT BUT .... THEY INVESTIGATED AND ARE SAYING THAT THE "COMPUTER SHOWS AN IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DEPLOYMENT" SO THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND REIMBURSE ONLY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THEY SAY FUTURE MEDICAL ISSUES ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE THIS WAY. THEIR PRODUCT CAUSED IT, THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE! *TR
Air bags, Sep 26, 2014
MY SANTA FE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE DURING WHICH TIME THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS GOING TO BE $450. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO SPEND OVER $4000 FOR OTHER REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND ANY MORE. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF AIR BAG MODULE FAILURES ON MANY DIFFERENT MODELS OF HYUNDAI'S. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPAIR THE FAULTY AIR BAG MODULES. *TR
Air bags, Sep 21, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PICK UP MY SON. I DID NOT CRASH MY CAR AT ALL. ALL OF SUDDEN. MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT SHUT OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC HE PUT IT UP TO THE COMPUTER IT READ RESISTANCE AIR BAG. ITS GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED. MY WARRANTY WAS UP A WHILE AGO. ITS A SAFETY ISSUSE. I JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY CAUSE I JUST GOT THE CAR 8 MONTHS AGO. ALREADY I PUT IN 1,000 INTO IT. I JUST GOT THE FOOT MODULE THE BRAKES AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WEIGH THE SUSPENSION.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE STERNUM. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO STATED THAT EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL AND NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Air bags, Feb 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2012
AIR BAG TROUBLE INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING ENGINE. QUESTIONED DEALER, THEY ARE AWARE OF KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG SWITCH AND WIRING CAUSING AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME. HYUNDAI WILL NOT MAKE REPAIR TO THIS SAFETY DEFECT AT THEIR COST. COST IS WELL OVER $1000.00. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Apr 28, 2012
MY AIR BAGS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID" THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. AND SOMETIMES WHEN I TURN MY VEHICLE ON THE ENGINE REVELS UP AND SOUNDS AS IF THE ACCELERATION IS STUCK. SCARES ME TO DEATH. *TR