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, Aug 31, 2016
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THAT IT IS A SENSOR THAT IS IN THE SEAT BELT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT IS LOCATED ON THE BUCKLE AND THAT THIS PART IS ABOUT $500. I'VE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS CAR. I'M VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT AT THIS POINT THE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FAILED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Air bags, Aug 5, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. ...UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF UPDATED 09/20/16.*JB
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 15, 2016
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINS CONSTANTLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED UNTIL IT IS TURNED OFF. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T TURN ON AT ALL AND THE FUSE IS GOOD.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AS A FAILURE PROGRESSED WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V527000 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Air bags, Jan 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ UPDATED 03/14/16.*JB
Air bags, Oct 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 1, 2015
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS DUE TO THE PASSENGER SEATBELT. SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TENSION AND THE COMPUTER.
Air bags, May 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER INJURIES. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Suspension, Air bags, Service brakes, Mar 12, 2015
UNABLE TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN TWELVE MONTHS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. LAST MAY 2014 I WAS IN GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN GOING ABOUT 45 AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED I KEPT MOVING OVER TO A CLEAR LANE ON MY LEFT TRYING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND HAD TO TURN INTO THE MEDIAN AND DO A U- TURN, THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE PEDAL AND THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT WAS FULL. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND TESTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND THEM TO WORK. I CALLED MY HYUNDAI DEALER AND HAD THEM LOOK THE CAR OVER AND THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION. YESTERDAY I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC APPROACHING A LINE OF TRAFFIC AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, I DID NOT THINK TO USE THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE BUT THE GOOD NEWS NO DAMAGE. ..UPDATED 03-16-15 *BF ALSO, THE FRONT SPRING WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS SINCE ILLUMINATED. *TR
Air bags, Feb 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,200. UPDATED 5/4/15*CN
Air bags, Feb 16, 2015
AIR BAG SIGN POPS UP ON DASH BOARD. *TR
Air bags, Jan 22, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,266.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 15, 2015
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON FOR THE DRIVER SIDE. MECHANIC IS TELLING ME IT IS A BAD SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT HARNESS. COST TO REPAIR IS $520. *TR
Air bags, Jan 6, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2015
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A SHORT IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY SAID NEED TO REPLACE RIGHT SIDE FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY $1545.95. *TR
Air bags, Dec 31, 2014
AIR BAG FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS ON. CERTAIN MODELS WERE ONLY RECALLED, BUT MY LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. SINCE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT LISTED FOR THAT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CORRECT WITHOUT OVER $450 SERVICE CHARGE. *JS
Air bags, Dec 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014
AIR BAG/OCS LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAYS ON CONTROL PANEL.VIN NUMBER FOR THIS MODEL DOES NOT APPEAR UNDER 2005 NHTSA AIRBAG RECALL NUMBER 05V450000. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A FEW TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A FAILURE WITHIN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2014
RECENTLY I GOT B1513 CODE WITH MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I FOUND THAT MANY SANTA FE OWNER'S HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BAD SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR(S) WHICH SEEM CAUSING AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY HYUNDAI USED A BAD BUCKLE SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS (SEAT BELT BUCKLE) IN 394000 SONATA MODELS. *TR
Air bags, Jul 23, 2014
SEAT BELT LIGHT REMAINS ON, AND ADVISED BY MECHANIC THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. SEVERAL REPORTED ISSUES WITH THIS, SO WHY HASN'T HYUNDAI RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE? MY DAUGHTER OF 21 IS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS A SECOND VEHICLE. I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT HER SAFETY. *TR
Air bags, Jul 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHED 120 POUNDS SAT IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A PASSENGER THAT WEIGHED 170 POUNDS OCCUPIED THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OC SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN
Air bags, Jul 12, 2014
A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SIMPLY SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE ALREADY MANY SAME VEHICLES HAD A SAME PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS DUE TO THE BAD WIRE CONNECTIONS UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DUE TO THE FAULT DESIGN OF THE WIRE CONNECTION AND WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN A CERTAIN ACCIDENTS HAPPEN. HYUNDAI SHOULD RECALL THIS AIR BAG ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.