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, Jun 9, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V450000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Air bags, May 17, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON , TOOK CAR TO DEALER, PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF 400. DOLLERS. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, AND IS STILL ON. I CAN' AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING THAT KIND OF MONEY TO GET IT FIXED AGAIN. I UNDERSTAND HYUNDAI HAS BIG PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIR BAG SYSTEMS. I ALSO HAVE A 2006 HYUNDAI ACCENT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JS
Air bags, May 8, 2014, crash
I REAR END A CAR GOING 45 MILES AN HOUR AND NEITHER THE SEAT BELT OR THE AIR BAGS WORKED. I HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL. *TR
Air bags, Mar 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 2, 2014
WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN JUNE 2013. WE HAD IT ALMOST A MONTH WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE BLEW OUT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THAT WE BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY FIXED THE LINE. THREE DAYS LATER THE STEERING WENT AGAIN WE GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE US $300.00. I GOT UPSET BUT THE MOST THEY WOULD DO FOR ME WAS SPLIT THE COST.THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER I STARTED TO SMELL GAS. I DIDN'T SEE ANY THING ON THE GROUND SO I LEFT IT GO. THEN IN NOVEMBER 2013 THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND ALSO THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF AND THE BELL WOULD DING AS IF THE SEAT BELT WASN'T BUCKLED BUT IT WAS.I JUST HAD IT TESTED BY A HYUNDAI DEALER AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY THAT CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT AND BELL TO GO OFF. THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE GAS TANK. THE WHOLE REPAIR WILL COST ME ABOUT $2000.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED AND I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. IF THE SENSOR IS NOT REPLACED HE SAID THE AIR BAG WILL PROBABLY NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE SENSOR AT LEAST BECAUSE THAT SHOULDN'T BE SUBJECT TO WEAR AND TEAR. *TR
Air bags, Nov 9, 2013, crash
ME AND MY 5 MONTH OLD SON GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT IN OUR 2005 SANTA FE...FRONT END COLLISION. THE OTHER VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND MY AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED WHEN THEY DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE. I SMASH MY HEAD DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING BUT EVERYONE ELSE WAS SAFE!! *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 27, 2013
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT BELT, AND COMPUTER PARTS IN ORDER TO RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND EVENTHOUGH I WEAR MY SEAT BELT THE SYMBOL AND BEEPING NOISE COMES ON STATING I DO NOT HAVE MY SEATBELT ON. THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS OVER $500.00. ALSO, THE DRIVER SEAT BELTS HAVE WORN AWAY WHICH HAS DAMAGED MY CLOTHING. *TR
Air bags, Jul 23, 2013
THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON/OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE LIGHT IS GENERALLY OFF, BUT IF THE OCCUPANT MOVES OR CHANGES HIS/HER POSITION IN THE FRONT SEAT, THE LIGHT WOULD ACTIVATE AGAIN, IF ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON AT ALL TIMES AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR OF THE SEAT BELT THAT CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT ASKED IF THE FAILURE WAS THE SAME AS THAT LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V450000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE THE SAME, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR
Air bags, May 15, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCS SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,411. *TR UPDATED 07/16/13*LJ
Air bags, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 1, 2013, crash
MY MOMS SANTA FE HAS SPED OUT OF CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE LAST INCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL CARS. SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON THE ROAD WHERE CAR SPED UP AND SHE TURNED IT OFF. THE THIRD WAS BACKING OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE HITTING A CAR AND THEN TRIED TO PUT IN NEUTRAL BUT WENT INTO DRIVE INSTEAD. SHE HIT A POST AND THE FRONT END WRAPPED AROUND THE POST BUT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY. STATE FARM AND MANY ATTORNEYS WON'T TOUCH THIS CASE BECAUSE OF THE COSTS INVOLVED TO SUE SUCH A LARGE CORPORATION. *TR
Air bags, Sep 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 10/31/12 *CN UPDATED 11/08/2012 *JS
Air bags, Aug 22, 2012
THERE IS A RED LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG. I CALLED HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY ADVISED IT IS PROBABLY A SENSOR. I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY BUT THEY "DO NOT THINK" THAT WILL HAPPEN. IT MAY BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX DEPENDING IF THIS IS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT OR STEERING WHEEL. THEY ADVISED THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE FIXED. I BELIEVE THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL VEHICLE HAD SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 6, 2012
WE OWN A 2005 SANTA FE BY HYUNDAI. WE HAVE BEEN READING BLOGS ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT BELT SENSOR GOING BAD ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOT DEPLOYING IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. OURS IS NOW DEMONSTRATING THIS. THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND THE ISSUE AFTER BEING RUN THROUGH A DIAGNOSTIC AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS AS EXPECTED TIED TO A SEAT BELT SENSOR ISSUE. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MORE OF THESE ISSUES AND SOME HAVE ACTUALLY WON CASES DEALING ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL WITH HYUNDAI OF AMERICA WHICH IS WHAT WE INTEND TO DO, BUT IF THIS IS SUCH A RAMPANT ISSUE, THERE SHOULD BE A FURTHER INVESTIGATION DONE AND A VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THEIR PART TO ASSURE THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYABLE AT ALL TIMES AND NOT JUST WHILE THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 1, 2012, crash
MY MOTHER DIED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. HER SANTA FE WENT THROUGH A "T" INTERSECTION WITHOUT STOPPING CROSSING HIGHWAY, WENT AIRBORNE OVER HILLSIDE AND STRUCK A TREE. SEVERED SPINE, CHEST TRAUMA AND SHATTERED ANKLE. THERE ARE NO SKIDS MARKS AT THE SCENE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOY BUT WHEN? STEERING COLUMN IS CRUSHED IN AND STEERING WHEEL WAS BENT INWARD. THE ROAD SHE WAS ON IS A RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET. THERE IS A 100 FEET DOWNGRADE BUT STRAIGHT AS YOU APPROACH THE STOP SIGN. THE "T" INTERSECTION IS A TWO LANE NOT WELL TRAVELED ROAD. SHE DROVE THIS ROAD MANY TIMES BEFORE. WHAT MAKES A VEHICLE TRAVEL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN A 100 FEET STRAIGHT AWAY, GO THROUGH A STOP SIGN GET AIRBORNE AFTER CROSSING HIGHWAY? ACCELERATION STICKING? WHY IS THERE SO MUCH DAMAGE TO STEERING COLUMN IF AIRBAG WENT OFF? COULD THE ACCELERATOR GET STUCK AND MY MOTHER PANIC AND TRIED TO STOP CAR BY STEPPING ON BRAKES MAKING A PANIC DECISION, NOT KNOWING TO TAKE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR OR TURNING VEHICLE OFF? WAS THERE ENOUGH TIME. I LOST MY MOTHER AND AFTER READING ALL THE PROBLEMS, I THINK THESE AND ALL HYUNDAI VEHICLES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT! *TR
Air bags, Mar 9, 2012
CANNOT GET PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT NOT SURE IF WORKING SACRED FOR SAFETY. *TR
Air bags, Jan 20, 2012
PASSANGER AIR BAG SYSTEM NEVER WORKED PROPERLY IT WAS RETURNED TO DEALER MANY TIMES AND WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO CORRECT THIS. TO THIS DATE THE SYSTEM ONLY WORKS PART TIME,WE WERE TOLD THE PASSANGER MUST WEIGH AT LEAST 125 POUNDS WELL MY WIFE WEIGHS 135 POUNDS.MANY TIMESI HAVE TO REMIND MY WIFE TO GET UP AND SIT DOWN HARDER,ONE DAY WE WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TT
Air bags, Nov 2, 2011
MY 2005, SANTE FE HAS ONLY 69K MILES, AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE THAT NEEDS REPLACED AND THEN THE LIGHT NEEDS TO BE RESET BY THE DEALER, NOBODY ELSE I KNOW CAN DO THIS. THE ASSEMBLY FOR THE SEAT BELT IS ONLY A DEALER PART. TOTAL COST TO REPAIR IS ALMOST $500.00. I'VE READ MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT BELT GOING BAD AND THE ONLY PLACE TO FIX IS THE DEALER. *TR
Air bags, Mar 9, 2011
2005 HYUNDAI SANTE FE (I HAVE TWO OF THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR) I BROUGHT THE VEHICLES IN FOR THE INITIAL AIR BAG RECALL (CHILD SAFETY - WEIGHT IN THE FRONT SEAT.) THAT SEEMED TO REMOVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THEY RESET THEM AGAIN FOR A SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH TIME. NOW EVEN WITHOUT A PASSENGER, THE 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' LIGHT IS OUT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT I HAVE SEEN IT ON MORE THAN ONE SITE AND I HAVE IT HAPPENING ON TWO OF THE SAME VEHICLES, ONE MY WIFE DRIVES (5'2" TALL, AVERAGE) AND THE OTHER I DRIVE (6'-3" TALL, HEAVY). BEING A SAFETY ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE COVERED, BUT THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGING CLOSE TO $600 EA. VEHICLE. THERE IS NOTHING UNDER THE SEATS AS THEY HAVE STATED TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE CLEAR UNDERNEATH. JUST WONDERING WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO DATE ON A RECALL THAT EFFECTS THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF PEOPLE. *TR
Air bags, Oct 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. HIS WIFE WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 125 LBS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 IS FOR THIS SAME FAILURE, BUT NOT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 11/10/08 *BF THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/13/08. *JB
Air bags, Jul 17, 2006, crash
DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD, VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE, VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND WENT OVER DITCH, ROLLED AND HIT TREE. PASSENGER WAS THROWN FROM VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED SPINAL CORD INJURY. VEHICLE HAD FRONT END, RIGHT SIDE, AND TOP DAMAGE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *JB
Air bags, Equipment, Mar 21, 2006, crash
2005 HYUNDAI SANTE FE INVOLVED IN A SEVERE ROLLOVER AND ALL AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER 6X WITH 3 PASSENGERS IN IT. ONE WAS EJECTED FROM THE BACK AND THE FRONT TWO SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. *NM
Air bags, Dec 6, 2005
PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK AS PER DASH LIGHT. DEALER STATES THE SENSOR INDICATES THE SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. *JB
Air bags, Nov 16, 2005
PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK AS PER DASH LIGHT, DEALER CAN' T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH SYSTEM SUGGEST TURNING OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTING TO RESET COMPUTER. I TRIED THIS WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND LOST POWER TO MY BRAKES AND STEERING , MY WIFE WEIGHS 135 POUNDS THIS SHOULD WORK THE SENSORS. *JB