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: seat belts
18 reports, newest first. Show all
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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.
Seat belts, Sep 3, 2014
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED MARCH 2014. THE BACK PASSENGER SEAT BELT FROM THE BEGINNING IS FINICKY. SOMETIMES IT WOULD CLICK AND LOCK AND SOMETIMES IT NEVER ENGAGES. BECAUSE OF THIS WE DECIDED TO JUST NOT USE THAT SEAT. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT JUST NEEDED REPLACED. NOW, YESTERDAY, THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT CAME UNDONE WHILE MY CHILD WAS STRAPPED INTO HIS CAR SEAT. I WAS GOING FROM A STOP AND TURNING INTO THE GROCERY STORE. MY SON'S SEAT FELL ON IT'S SIDE. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT HAD ACTUALLY BEEN UNDONE AT THAT POINT. I TRIED STRAPPING IT BACK AND IT WILL NOT ENGAGE. NOW I HAVE 2 SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK THAT DO NOT WORK. I UNDERSTAND MAYBE ONE GOING BAD BUT TWO SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE WITH THE SEAT BELTS IN GENERAL. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND NOW I CAN'T USE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I CAN ONLY USE SEAT BELT FOR 1 OF THEM (THE OLDEST SITS IN THE FRONT (SHE IS A TEENAGER). *TR
Seat belts, Jun 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS AND SEAT BELT BUCKLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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.
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, 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, 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, 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
Seat belts, Mar 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR, THE BASE OF THE SEAT BELT AND THE SENSOR COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Seat belts, Oct 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME CONTINUED SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF A CRASH WERE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,593.