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: suspension
69 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, May 31, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT, SMOOTH SECTION OF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY MY WIFE AND I HEARD A VERY LOUD BOOM, AS IF WE HAD HIT A LARGE ROCK OR SOMETHING. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION THAT AN IMPACT WOULD HAVE CAUSED. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HAD CAUSED THE NOISE. 2004 HYUNDAI, SANTA FE DROVE FINE. TWO DAYS LATER, WHEN MAKING A LOW SPEED RIGHT TURN, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN, MADE CONTACT WITH THE TIRE AND RIPPED IT ABOUT THREE QUARTERS AROUND COMPLETELY THROUGH. AFTER RESEARCHING THE TOPIC I WAS APPALLED AT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE WERE ABOUT BROKEN SPRINGS ON 2004 SANTA FES. IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IF THE SPRING HAD RUPTURED THE TIRE WHEN IT APPARENTLY BROKE, ON THE HIGHWAY I HESITATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, OR HOW MANY LIVES WOULD BE AT RISK. I BELIEVE IT IS TIME HYUNDAI STEPPED-UP AND RECALL THE SPRINGS. *TR
Suspension, May 17, 2011
2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER STATES WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, POKING A HOLE THROUGH THE SIDEWALL OF AN 8 MONTH OLD TIRE *TGW
Suspension, Apr 22, 2011
ON APRIL 21, 2011 WENT TO BACK SUV OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WENT FLAT. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE FOUND TIRE HAD A HOLE ON INSIDE WALL OF TIRE . THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE COIL SPRING PROTRUDING OUT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THE COIL SPRING BROKEN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. I FEEL VERY LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. *TR
Suspension, Apr 18, 2011
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEARD A BANG AND THE CAR VEERED OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE AND I NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE. THE FOLLOWING DAY I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEY CHARGED AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT TO REPLACE. NOT VERY LIKELY THAT I WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER HYUNDAI. *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2011
THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT 40,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET AND THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION TYPE SOUND, MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY FELT LIKE IT JUMPED, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE DIED. I WRESTLED WITH THE WHEEL TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I WAS STILL IN THE ROAD. THERE WAS A WOMAN IN FRONT OF ME GETTING OUT OF HER CAR WITH A TODDLER AND I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING THEM AS I TRIED TO CONTROL MY TRUCK. I'M SO GLAD I WASN'T GOING FASTER THAN 10-15 MPH. THE REPAIR AGENT SAID HE'D NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN AT LESS THAN 100K+ MILES, AND IT TOOK OUT THE BRAKE LINE AND FUEL LINE ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. TOTAL COST WILL BE $1500. AS THE TIMING BELT ALSO NEEDS CHANGING. NOT HAPPY. I SEE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SITUATION (COIL SPRING GOING ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT LOW MILEAGE), BUT I DON'T SEE ANY KIND OF REPARATION OFFERED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY RECALL. THERE SHOULD BE - THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I'M NOT LIKELY TO BUY A HYUNDAI AGAIN. *TRW
Suspension, Mar 26, 2011
I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AT 8AM AND THEN BY 1PM MY COIL SPRING BROKE DESTROYING MY TIRE AND RESULTING IN MY GETTING TOWED. HAD MY COIL SPRING BROKE ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE CRASHED *TR
Suspension, Feb 24, 2011
WAS JUST PULLING THE CAR DOWN THE DRIVE WAY AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. I STOPPED THE CAR AND A FRIEND WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE TIRE. HE NOTICED THE SPRING HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY FOR 12 TO 15 HOURS BEFORE WE WENT TO DRIVE IT. WE HAD NOT EVEN MADE IT ON THE ROAD AND WAS ONLY GOING A COUPLE MILES PER HOUR AND ABOUT 15 TO 20 FEET. WE WERE ON OUR WAY, GOING OUT OF TOWN AND WERE THANKFUL THAT WE DID NOT HAVE THIS HAPPEN GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR HURT SOME ONE ELSE. SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK WE HAVE A NEW BORN AND A TWO YEAR OLD IN THIS VEHICLE. THANKFULLY THEY WERE NOT WITH US. THIS FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT, SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO BE AS LUCKY AS WE WERE. FOR US IT WAS THE DRIVE WAY AND NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY AT A HIGH SPEEDS WITH OUR FAMILY. *TR
Suspension, Feb 22, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKEN. STRUT MOUNT ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2004. AS THE MILEAGE WILL TELL YOU, I DON'T DRIVE IT MUCH. MY CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS WHEN I WENT TO GO TO WORK. AS I STARTED BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. I DECIDED NOT TO TRY DRIVING IT. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE SPRING BROKEN. THEY SAID I WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING IT AT THE TIME AS IT COULD HAVE PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED A BLOWOUT. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS TIME IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT, I HEARD IT. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND FOUND THE SPRING HAD BROKEN AND WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE. THIS TIME THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 25,000 MILES. HYUNDAI DOES NOT SEEM TO THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS PERTAINING TO THIS COMPLAINT, BUT I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT AT 27,000 MILES I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR CONTROL ARMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT.
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2011
I TRIED TO START MY 2004 SANTA FE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER (IT CRANKED FINE SO WE KNEW IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY). WHILE IT WAS BEING DRAGGED ONTO THE TOW TRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE DEFLATED. THE WHEEL DID NOT TURN WHILE BEING DRAGGED UP THE TRUCK RAMP. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE FRONT SPRING HAD SNAPPED AND TRIGGERED A KILL SWITCH TO THE FUEL LINE WHICH PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING. I NEVER HEARD ANY AWFUL SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING SO THE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING MUST HAVE SNAPPED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE SPRING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS DOES THE TIRE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 31, 2011
I WENT INTO GARAGE TO MOVE MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE OUT SO MY HUSBAND COULD PUT OUR 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA INTO IT. THE SANTA FE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS UNDRIVEN. WHEN I STARTED TO BACK UP, IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE WAY. NOT SEEING ANYTHING IN MY WAY, I CONTINUED TO BACK THE SANTA FE OUT TO THE STREET STILL HEARING A LOUD NOISE. MY HUSBAND CAME OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FENDER WAS RESTING ON THE TIRE. UPON RAISING IT WITH THE JACK, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSPENSION COIL WAS BROKEN. I EVEN TOOK PICTURES OF IT WHILE IT WAS JACKED UP. THE UPSIDE TO THIS WHOLE THING IS THAT WE WEREN'T DRIVING IT AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I'M SURE WE WOULD HAVE FLIPPED THE VEHICLE AND BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. WE HAVE 84,647 MILES ON IT AND WERE ALWAYS VERY METICULOUS WITH MAINTENANCE. WE WILL CALL THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN SEE, IT LOOKS LIKE AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR
Suspension, Jan 26, 2011
I HAVE A 2004 SANTA FE AND JUST THE OTHER DAY MY DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE, LUCKY I WASN'T DRIVING IT AT THE TIME HOWEVER IT GOING TO COST ABOUT 1250.00 TO FIX. *TR
Suspension, Jan 24, 2011
FAILURE OF FRONT COIL SPRING WHILE DRIVING. COIL SPRING SUDDENLY BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 14, 2011
PASSANGER SIDE SPRING SEPERATED CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 12, 2011
I DRIVE A USED, 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS. VERY RECENTLY, I WAS JUST LEAVING WORK WHEN A SEEMINGLY VERY ORDINARY THING HAPPENED TO MY CAR. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WAITING TO TAKE A LEFT TURN. AS SOON AS I ACCELERATED AND BEGAN TO TURN, MY VEHICLE SUFFERED A BLOWN-OUT FRONT-PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. AS THE TIRE BLEW OUT, I HEARD A LOUD "CLUNK"AND THEN A "POP". SURPRISED, I PULLED THE CAR OVER AS SOON AS I COULD, OFF OF THE MAIN ROAD. I HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COME OUT TO CHANGE THE TIRE, BECAUSE I FOUND THAT I DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS REQUIRED IN MY CAR TO CHANGE A TIRE. AFTER THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER PUT ON THE SPARE, I PAID HIM FOR HIS SERVICES AND WENT TO LEAVE. AS I TURNED THE WHEEL TO LEAVE, MY VEHICLE SUFFERED ANOTHER BLOW-OUT, SAME SIDE. MY CAR THEN HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT. TURNS OUT, MY FRONT-RIGHT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PIERCED MY TIRE(S). I CURRENTLY HAVE 73,000 MILES ON MY CAR, WHICH IS A GOOD AMOUNT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, COIL SPRINGS DO NOT JUST SNAP FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD, NOT TWENTY. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? I FOUND OUT THAT WHEN THE COIL SPRING SNAPPED, IT ALSO SNAPPED THE STRUTS AND THE STRUT MOUNT, ON TOP OF MY TWO TIRES. THE TOTAL AMOUNT FOR THE DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $1200.00, AS BOTH SIDES NEEDED NEW PARTS TO ENSURE THE BEST HANDLING OF THE CAR. ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT IS, WHAT IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY DOING 65? IT'S A SCARY THOUGHT TO KNOW THAT I MAY NOT HAVE COME OUT OF THIS ALIVE. I AM VERY LUCKY IT HAPPENED AT SUCH A LOW SPEED, WITH HARDLY ANY CARS AROUND, OR ELSE I WOULD NOT HAVE LIVED TO TELL THE TALE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SEVERAL OTHER SANTA FE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AND GOD FORBID, MAYBE EVEN MORE THAT HAVE NOT LIVED TO TELL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT, AND IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. *TR
Suspension, Jan 3, 2011
BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BROKE THE RIGHT AT 22,000 MILES AND THE LEFT AT 32,000 MILES. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BOTH TIMES. *TR
Suspension, Jun 11, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2004. ALL OF THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 23000 MILES DUE TO RUSTED CALIPERS. HOWEVER, MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT SOMETHING MUCH MORE SERIOUS. THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH FRONT MCPHEARSON STRUTS BROKE AND PENETRATED THE TIRES. THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE IN FEBRUARY 2009 AT ABOUT 23000 MILES. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE ON 6/9/09 AT APPROXIMATELY 24500 MILES. FORTUNATELY, THE SANTA FE WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE BOTH TIMES THE SPRINGS BROKE. HAD THE SPRINGS FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR ON THE THRUWAY, THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT I WOULD HAVE CRASHED OR ROLLED OVER. ALTHOUGH THE TOWS AND REPAIRS WERE MADE UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST TO ME, I DON'T TRUST THE SANTA FE ANYMORE AND I DO NOT INTEND TO KEEP IT. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Apr 30, 2008
ONE MONTH AGO,WITH 40,600 MILES ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED MY TIRE WHICH THE HYUNDAI DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THREE WEEKS LATER THE LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SHREDDED THAT TIRE ALSO. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESS WAY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE TO TELL ABOUT IT. IN THE PAST FIFTY YEARS I HAVE OWNED 15 CARS AND NEVER HAD A FRONT SPRING BREAK DOWN MUCH LESS TWO IN THREE WEEKS. EVEN THOUGH THE HYUNDAI DEALER,PATRICK OF SCHAUMBURG, REPLACED THESE SPRINGS UNDER WARRANTY, I STILL INCURRED A $200.00 CAR RENTAL BILL. HYUNDAI DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS OF THESE SPRING FAILURES AT ONLY 40,600 MILES. ANY HELP AS TO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Tires, May 23, 2007
NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR CONDITIONS EXISTED PRIOR TO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY A FELLOW COWORKER TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. AAA WAS CALLED TO TOW THE VEHICLE , AND UPON ARRIVAL, PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO BACK IT UP IN ORDER TO TOW. IMMEDIATELY, THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE WHEN FLAT, AND IT WAS A RESULT OF THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY BREAKING AND CAUSING THE COIL SPRING TO SNAP AND PIERCE THE FRONT TIRE. IT HAS BEEN 6 DAYS , AND I WAS STILL WITHOUT THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 65,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED QUICKLY I HAD TO ACCEPT PARTS FROM A 2006 VEHICLE.*AK
Suspension, Feb 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT. THIS WAS CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 3 TIMES, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. *AK *MR