2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe has a complaint index of 0, ranking 21st of 21 model years (lowest complaint volume relative to others), with 106 complaints and 1 recall. It carries a Good verdict, though the cap reflects less complete records for 2005-2009 model years rather than a stronger complaint record.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 106
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags28 (26%)
- Engine26 (25%)
- Brakes18 (17%)
- Electrical System18 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (13%)
- Fuel System9 (8%)
- Seat Belts5 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (5%)
- Other4 (4%)
- Steering4 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal crashes, including one impact at highway speed that totaled the vehicle.
- Brakes reportedly failed to stop the car in time, causing low-speed rear-end collisions at intersections and stop signs.
- Some owners described unintended acceleration or the engine revving on its own while stopped, pushing the vehicle forward into obstacles.
- Engine stalling was reported after starting the car or when driving through heavy rain or a car wash, with dealers pointing to a wet electrical sensor.
- One owner reported the transmission shifted into reverse and moved backward on its own, then drove forward unexpectedly after being shifted to drive.
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.
2006 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.
2006 compared with other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 0 for the 2006 Santa Fe, the lowest among all 21 model years covered, with 106 complaints and 1 recall on file.
- What is the top problem area for the 2006 Santa Fe?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 28 complaints (26% of the total), including reports of non-deployment in crashes.
- Does the 2006 Santa Fe have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 14V435000) covers 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles for a suspension coil spring issue; Hyundai will inspect and replace the spring if needed.
- Why is the 2006 Santa Fe verdict capped at Good instead of Best?
- The verdict is capped at Good because NHTSA complaint records for the 2005-2009 Santa Fe model years are considered less complete, not because of a low complaint index.
- How does the 2006 Santa Fe compare to other model years?
- The 2006 Santa Fe ranks 21st worst (best) of 21 years with a complaint index of 0, compared to years like 2017 (100) and 2009 (95), which carry Avoid verdicts.