2005 Hyundai Santa FE
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 216
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2005
None on file
35% of complaints
Complaints per year
2005: 216 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 209 |
| 2002 | 165 |
| 2003 | 308 |
| 2004 | 303 |
| 2005 | 216 |
| 2006 | 106 |
| 2007 | 684 |
| 2008 | 541 |
| 2009 | 358 |
| 2010 | 259 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 353 |
| 2013 | 605 |
| 2014 | 493 |
| 2015 | 254 |
| 2016 | 236 |
| 2017 | 968 |
| 2018 | 109 |
| 2019 | 202 |
| 2020 | 213 |
| 2021 | 166 |
| 2022 | 199 |
| 2023 | 211 |
| 2024 | 153 |
| 2025 | 135 |
| 2026 | 38 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
35% · 76 reportsMost commonly citing srs malfunction warning lamp/light and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-22
Also filed under Seat belts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-01
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-21
Vehicle speed control
20% · 44 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-01
When put into reverse 2005 Santa FE engine roared. *ts the consumer had no control over the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-11-25
Also filed under Equipment
While merging onto the freeway, the accelerator pedal got stuck to the floor with the throttle wide open. The brakes and emergency brake were ineffective.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-04-16
Service brakes
15% · 33 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Show complaint excerpts
I have been getting electrical shocks from my car around the well of the drivers side. I have been told that there are 7 service bullitans on the car.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-11-12
Suspension
10% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing coil springs and front.
Seat belts
8% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2005-12-21Air bags05V450000 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.
Remedy: 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…
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R
2006-12-06Air bags05V527000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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R
2014-10-24Suspension14V435000 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...
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2005 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 76 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 44 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 33 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 05V450000 · Air bags
- Recall 05V527000 · Air bags
- Recall 14V435000 · Suspension
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.