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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-HYUNDAI-SANTA-FE
2005 · Hyundai

Hyundai Santa Fe problems

2 safety recalls. 216 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

2
Critical
0
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
71 reports · avg $1,100
critical
cruise control
35 reports · avg $600
severe
suspension
21 reports · avg $900
moderate
brakes
20 reports · avg $450
moderate
powertrain
9 reports · avg $2,500
severe
engine
7 reports · avg $3,100
severe
fuel system
7 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
steering
7 reports · avg $700
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Santa Fe · airbags
AIR BAG FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS ON. CERTAIN MODELS WERE ONLY RECALLED, BUT MY LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. SINCE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT LISTED FOR THAT RECALL, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CORRECT WITHOUT OVER $450 SERVICE CHARGE. *JS
12/31/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669305.0
2005 Santa Fe · airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669057.0
2005 Santa Fe · suspension
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT 4AM TO GO TO WORK. I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. MY DRIVEWAY IS NOT LONG AND I AM ON THE ROAD IN ABOUT 5 FT. AS I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WENT DOWN. I ASSUMED I RAN OVER SOMETHING OR THAT MY…
12/28/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557517.0
2005 Santa Fe · brakes
BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WITHIN LAST 6 OR 7 MONTHS; HOWEVER, FRONT BRAKES PULSATE (LIKE ABS IS ENGAGING) WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS EVEN BEFORE AND AFTER BRAKE REPAIRS. ON DEC 21, 2012, I DROPPED OFF MY GRANDSON AT SCHOOL AND…
12/27/2012 · NHTSA ODI #10490271.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

critical NHTSA 05V527000 17/11/2005

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.

Fix: 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.
critical NHTSA 05V450000 04/10/2005

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 71 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 216 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Hyundai. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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