2005 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 216 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 18 involved a crash. 14 people were injured and 2 people died.
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
Air bags, frontalNov 17, 2005
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 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.
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.
Campaign 05V527000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 4, 2005
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 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.
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.
Campaign 05V450000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
74 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 13, 2023
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.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2023
The Air Bag light stays on and from my research the air bag will not work in an accident.
Air bags, Dec 14, 2022
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.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2022
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.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 13, 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
Air bags, Oct 22, 2019
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.
Air bags, Aug 13, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON FOR A WHILE, THEN IT GOES OUT CHANGES SOMETIMES IN MOTION OR PARKED, NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON
Air bags, Jun 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHEEHY HYUNDAI OF WALDORF (LOCATED AT 2910 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20601, (301) 812-3318) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,880. *TR CONSUMER STATED ISSUE WAS REPORTED IN 2010/11. IT IS ALSO RELATED TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY AGREED THAT THEY HAVE THE NAME OF THE CONSUMER BUT THEIR SYSTEM CAN'T RETRIEVE SERVICE DETAILS. THE LIGHT IS STILL ON FOR AIR BAG. *JB
Air bags, Structure, Apr 13, 2019
THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNS ON AN OFF, THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL INSECURE IN THIS VEHICLE, I DON'T THINK THE AIR BAGS WOULD WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NEED ATTENTION IN THE MATTER
Air bags, Jan 1, 2019
THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW WEEKS. I WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THERE ARE ALSO DIFFERENT REASONS FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE?
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 1, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT A CODE OF B1513: PASSENGER SEAT BELT DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Air bags, Aug 27, 2018
I TOOK MY CAR TO GET CHECKED AFTER A AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AT THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THEIR DIAGNOSTIC THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $2500 TO FIX A SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND A SENSOR UNDER THE OCCUPANT SEAT. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR UNDER A YEAR AND DO NOT HAVE THE TYPE OF INCOME TO CORRECT THIS ASAP. THE LIGHT IS KEEPING ME FROM GETTING MY CAR INSPECTED WHICH IN THE LONG RUN CAN COST ME MY JOB. I CALLED THE PHONE NUMBER HERE PROVIDED HERE TO BE TOLD 61 CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS THE SECOND PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR,THE FIRST BEING A RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS LIGHT CAME ON.
Air bags, May 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'BRIEN HYUNDAI (2850 COLONIAL BLVD, FORT MYERS, FL 33966, (239) 277-1222) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE AIR BAG AND IT WAS ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,769.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 22, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE PARKED VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT OR WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FITZGERALD'S COUNTRYSIDE HYUNDAI (27419 US HIGHWAY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (727) 797-6369) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,697.
Air bags, Mar 18, 2018
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON.
Air bags, Jan 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLICKERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 3, 2018
AIRBAG LIGHT ON DUE TO FAULTY SEAT BELT BUCKLE; MECHANIC RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE
Air bags, Dec 7, 2017
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 40 AND LESS AND AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THEN GOING OFF THEN IT STOPPED FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND HAS STARTED COMING IN AGAIN AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY
Air bags, Aug 29, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, IT WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES FROM STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT'S CHILD, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT, SUSTAINED BRUISING. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND A CODE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 17, 2017
HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2005. AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP A FEW MONTHS LATER TO DIAGNOSE. SAID IT WAS SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND WILL COST $559 TO REPAIR. CAR HAS 120,000 MILES. THERE APPEAR TO BE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL?
Air bags, Jan 18, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS) AND 05V527000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jan 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,589.
Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 2, 2016
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM USED DEALER IN MARCH 4,2016 DESPITE NOT WANTING TO BUT HAD LITTLE CHOICE AFTER DEALER SOLD THE CAR I PUT MONEY DOWN ON THAT DAY FOR CASH WHILE I WAD RETRIEVING THE LAST DOCUMENT SHE SENT NE HOME FOR WHEN,I RETURBEDVMY CAR WAS GONE AND THE CAR IN STUCK IN NOW IS THIS HYUNDAI WITH A VERY SHAKY FRONT END THAT RATTLES AND LITERALLY SKIPS OFF THE ROAD INTO THE SHOULDER IF IN NOT VERY CAREFUL ,MY MECHANIC DAYS ITS THE STRUT ON DRIVER SIDE ,ADDITIONALLY THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ONBAT ALL TIMES AND I JUST FAILED A SAFETY INSPECTION FOE THIS VEHICLE AND CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE FIR LYFT OR NUMBER UNTIL ITS REPAIRED I ALREADY HAD TO FIX BRAKE LIGHTS TIRES BATTERY AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES ON THIS CAR IN ADDITION TO 1400 IN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ESTIMATES TO,LEARN IT WAS MERELY A ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE COMPRESSOR AS IT APPEARS TO BE THE CASE FIR DOZENS OF OTHERS WITH NO COLD AIR ON THIS CAR MODEL SEE AXIL ADADDICREPAIR COMMENTS ON 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AC BLOWING HOT AIR. SO IM VERY UPSET HYUNDAI WILL NOT EVEN LOOK TO SEE WHY MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON DESPITE A KNOWN,ISSUE WITH AIR BAGS AND IT BEING RECALLED . MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T SHOW A RECALL OPEN HOWEVER I FEEL AS LONG AS I AM DRIVING IT AND THE ISSUES REMAINS UNRESOLVED. I AM AT SERIOUS RISK IF THE AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE OR THE FACT IT REMAINS ON ALL THE TINE AND WHEN THERE'S A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT THE PASSENGER BAG OFF LIGHT APPEARS.