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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Hyundai Santa FeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 216 owner complaints for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. Most complaints involve air bags (74) and vehicle speed control (44). The EPA rates it 17–20 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
17–20mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
216
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: coil springs

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Jul 18, 2014NHTSA 14V435000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Nov 17, 2005NHTSA 05V527000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 4, 2005NHTSA 05V450000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

216 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2005 – Apr 2025
  1. Air bags74
  2. Vehicle speed control44
  3. Suspension21
  4. Service brakes18
  5. Seat belts18
  6. Fuel/propulsion system14
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  8. Engine11
  9. Power train11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Santa Fe model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001209
2002171
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009359
2010260
2011181
2012355
2013605
2014494
2015255
2016236
2017972
2018110
2019203
2020218
2021168
2022202
2023214
2024156
2025137
202637
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

74 reports7 crashes
“The airbag light stays on constantly - mechanic says it's the switch in the passenger seat belt and they encounter this problem with this vehicle all the time. Prevents the airbag from deploying if not repaired.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2023Air bagsODI 11511672

Vehicle speed control

44 reports8 crashes
“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. Measures had to be taken to drive off of the road into ice plant, we we were able to turn off the engine. Further inspection revealed a missing grommet at the wall where the throttle cable passes through to connect to the gas pedal. Furthermore, the plastic around the throttle cable was cracked, which allows for the throttle cable and pedal to push through and get snagged. This could have ended horrifically. We are lucky to be alive.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2025Vehicle speed controlODI 11655016

Suspension

21 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND COULD POTENTIALLY FRACTURE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD FAIL AN INSPECTION DUE TO THE FRAME NEEDING TO BE RE-WELDED. THE DEALER (TARBOX HYUNDAI, 3665 QUAKER LN, NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI 02852, (401) 826-1500) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V435000 (SUSPENSION) AND 09V123000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2018Suspension, StructureODI 11083384
All 2005 Santa Fe problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
Santa Fe 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Santa Fe 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
Santa Fe 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1383
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Santa Fe questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Owners filed 216 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (74), vehicle speed control (44), suspension (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe at 17–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026