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.
Of the 2006 reports, 11 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
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
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 6, 2020
ON MARCH 4, 2020, HEADING HOME AT NIGHT ON A CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD MY CAR (2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE) SUDDENLY JERKED, STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO OVER 80 MILES HOUR. AT THE SAME TIME HALF OF THE PANEL LIGHT BEHIND PART OF THE RPM'S AND HALF BEHIND THE MPH WENT OUT; THE REST OF THE PANEL WAS STILL LIT UP; I WAS HEADING DOWN THE CURVY ROAD ACCELERATING HEADING QUICKLY TOWARDS AN 18 WHEELER WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AND MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING (I WAS NOT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL). I QUICKLY DROPPED MY CAR INTO LOW GEAR AND MANEUVERED AROUND THE 18-WHEELER AND TRYING THE BRAKES, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES, AND AS QUICKLY AS IT STARTED UP, IT STOPPED, AND MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE NORMAL (EXCEPT THE PANEL LIGHTS). ON MY WAY HOME (MARCH 5TH), IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT NIGHT! AS I BEGIN DESCENDING THE CURVY ROAD (DRIVING 40MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE), MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING AGAIN UP TO 90MPH! THERE WERE NOT AS MANY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD, SO I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT BY DROPPING DOWN INTO LOW GEAR AND AS I BEGAN ASCENDING THE MOUNTAIN ROAD, THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION STOPPED, AND THE CAR DROVE NORMAL. EACH INCIDENT LASTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. ON MARCH 6, 2020, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND DID NOT FIND A CAUSE. HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME TO CONTACT HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS, WHICH I DID. I REPORTED MY ISSUE AND MADE A CLAIM ON MARCH 6, 2020. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY CAR TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS WOULD SEND A FORENSIC ENGINEER OUT TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE MY CAR AND HAVE IT TOWED. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS INFORMING ME THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD THROUGH THE NEIGHBOR'S FENCE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. *JS
Service brakes, Feb 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V122000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Service brakes, Jul 28, 2015
ON OR ABOUT JULY 1ST 2015 I WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS ON MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON REMOVAL OF THE TIRE I NOTICE THAT THE BRAKE BACKING PLATE WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS HANGING BY A SLIVER OF RUSTY METAL. THIS AUTO USES A MINIATURE DRUM BRAKE AFFAIR ON THE REAR WHEELS TO ACTUATE THE PARKING BRAKE. IN MY OPINION, IF THE CENTER OF THE BACKING PLATE RUSTS AWAY AND CAUSES THE BRAKE SHOE RETAINING PINS TO COME OUT THE BRAKE SHOE COULD CONTACT THE METAL DRUM AREA WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE AUTO TO HAVE IT'S PARKING BRAKE ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING, LOCKING UP THE REAR DRIVE WHEELS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS AUTO WAS INTO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE IN JUNE OF 2015 AND AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE WRITER INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED CHANGING BUT NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE RUSTED OUT BACKING PLATE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT A BACKING PLATE SHOULD NOT RUST THROUGH IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS. I BASE THIS ON THE FACT THAT I WORKED FOR A SERVICE GARAGE FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND HAVE DONE THE WORK ON MY OWN VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND IN MY EXPERIENCE BACKING PLATES SHOULD NOT RUST TO THE POINT OF PERFORATION IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS.
Service brakes, Sep 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jun 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ENGAGE WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 78,485.
Service brakes, Mar 24, 2014
BRAKES FAIL TO ENGAGE, ABS SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON. HAPPENS WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, BUT INTENSIFIES WHEN ROADS ARE WET. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 23, 2014
WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS ENGAGED ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, NOW THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, BOTH TIMES IT INVOLVED A SENSOR RING THAT HAD CRACKED IN HALF AND THE BRAKES ON THAT PARTICULAR WHEEL FAILED TO HOLD. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 17, 2014
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2012 AND EXPERIENCED MY FIRST INCIDENT WITH THE BRAKES APPROX. 5 MOS LATER. WHENEVER I HAVE TO STOP IN A HURRY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES DO NOT ENGAGE. VEHICLE SLIDES, DOES NOT STOP. I CAME CLOSE TO HAVING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO NEXT LANE TO AVOID HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR GOING THROUGH A RED LIGHT. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND I CAN'T BELIEVE HYUNDAI HAS NOT RECALLED VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. BRAKES WORK FINE IF YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP, BUT IF YOU HAVE TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND STEP ON THE BRAKES, THEY WILL NOT ENGAGE EVEN IF YOU PUMP THEM. VEHICLE JUST SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN. I WOULD LIKE HYUNDAI TO EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR THIS MAL-FUNCTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE SANTA FE MODELS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE INJURED OR DIE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT STOP THEIR VEHICLE SUDDENLY AT AVERAGE TO HIGH SPEEDS WHEN TRAVELING. *TR
Service brakes, Feb 5, 2014
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN SEPTEMBER 2012. HAD TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. THEY FINALLY GOT THE BRAKES TO FEEL OK IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, BUT EVERY TIME IT SNOWS, SNOW AND ICE GET STUCK IN MY BRAKES AND I CAN NOT STOP. I ALMOST CRASHED 4 TIMES ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING, AND HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME IT SNOWS. THEY WILL NOT FIX WITHOUT A CHARGE BECAUSE IT'S PAST THE WARRANTY. *TR
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 22, 2013
DRIVING BACK HOME FROM WORK AND DRIVER BEHIND NOTIFIED ME THAT BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. I CHECKED ALL FUSES, BULBS AND SEEMS OKAY. I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. I SAW RECALL ON 2007 HYUNDAI SANTA FE BUT NOT 2006. WILL THE DEALER WILL REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH? *TR
Service brakes, Sep 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND RESUMED DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ABS RING, WHICH WAS A COMMON DEFECT ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 1, 2009
2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD BRAKE PAD ISSUES. *NJ THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE FOUR DISK BRAKE PADS WAS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. THE CONSUMER STATED FOR SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND MINIMAL WEAR, HE BELIEVED THE SINGLE PAD IN QUESTION WAS A DEFECTIVE BRAKE PART. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 3, 2006, crash
BRAKES FAILED TO APPLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME; SPEED LESS THAN 10 MPH; BRAKES "BUCKED" AND WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR IN TIME TO PREVENT ACCIDENT; APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP PROCESS; REPORTED TO LOCAL POLICE; CAR HAS BEEN IMPOUNDED FOR INVESTIGATION AND CONFIRMATION OF TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Dec 1, 2006, crash
#1 CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND PULLED OVER INTO EMPTY LOT AND TESTED BRAKES A FEW TIMES AND THEN IT WAS OKAY. #2 WAS STOPPED BEHIND A VEHICLE ABOUT 2 FEET AWAY, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN CAR ACCELERATED AND FELT LIKE IT JUMPED AND I BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT. THIS WAS ON 11-28-06 ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO TELL THEM THAT MY BRAKES SOUNDED LIKE METAL AGAINST METAL AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL ON FOGGY MORNINGS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE MORNING BEFORE BUT I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THEY WERE BUSY. I DON'T REMEMBER THE DATE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT WHEN I ROLLED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN BUT IT WAS ABOUT 4 WEEKS BEFORE THE SECOND TIME. DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. IT WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/18/06. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 29, 2006
ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING FROM SLOW <20 MPH, ALSO ABS PUMP CYCLES ON DURING SLOW TURNS. *JB