2006 Hyundai Santa FE

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Air bags is the leading concern among 106 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 25th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 106

Of the 2006 reports, 11 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.

Primary concernAir bags28 reports · 26% of complaints
Owner complaints106Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship1 safety recallNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags28
  2. Vehicle speed control20
  3. Service brakes17
  4. Suspension13
  5. Electrical system10
  6. Exterior lighting9
  7. Fuel system6
  8. Engine and engine cooling5

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

Representative owner complaints: air bags

28 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Apr 25, 2007, crash

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE INTO TRAFFIC, STRUCK ANOTHER POLE AND A TRAFFIC SIGN. THE SIGN WAS KNOCKED DOWN, AND THE POLE WAS THE SNAPPED AT THE BASE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 11000. *AK

  2. Air bags, Jan 22, 2007, crash

    I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I HIT THE BACK OF A STOPPED FARM TRUCK CARRYING A HAY BALE AT ABOUT 65 MPH, WHILE I AM ALIVE AND IN DECENT SHAPE CONSIDERING, I SURELY WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED AT LEAST ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, BUT NO, BRAND NEW CAR, TOTALED, I HAVE PICS, AND ALL THE AIR BAGS STILL TUCKED AWAY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCATIONS. I WOULD APPRECIATE A GOOD EXPLANATION FOR THIS AS I CURRENTLY OWN 2 HYUNDAI VEHICLES AND PLAN TO NOT PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND ON EVER AGAIN. *NM

  3. Air bags, Feb 27, 2006, crash

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT WHILE GOING 25-30 MPH. THERE WAS PRIOR BRAKING. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.