2005 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
10/100
#19 most-complained of 21 Santa Fe years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has 216 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 10 out of 100 — #19 highest of 21 Santa Fe model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is airbags (74 complaints, 34% of the total). Complaints report 18 crashes, 14 injuries, and 2 deaths.
- Complaints
- 216
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 18 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 2
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags74 (34%)
- Engine59 (27%)
- Brakes36 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires24 (11%)
- Fuel System22 (10%)
- Seat Belts18 (8%)
- Electrical System14 (6%)
- Other12 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (5%)
- Structure & Body10 (5%)
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V435000Jul 18, 2014Suspension, Wheels & Tires271,773 vehicles
Suspension:front:springs:coil springs
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 Âsalt 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.
Risk: 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.
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. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.
- NHTSA 05V527000Nov 17, 2005Airbags134 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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.
Risk: 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.
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 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.
- NHTSA 05V450000Oct 4, 2005Airbags12,000 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Risk: 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.
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 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.
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #19 of 21 among Santa Fe model years (Complaint Index 10/100, verdict: Good). It has 216 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (74 complaints), engine (59 complaints), and brakes (36 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 79,500 miles.
- Does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe, most recently reported 2014, covering suspension, wheels & tires and airbags.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- EPA rates the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe at 18.5 MPG combined (16.5 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.