YearToAvoid

2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

NHTSA has 26 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe, 25% of all 106 complaints for this model year. That is #19 highest engine complaint count among 21 Santa Fe model years. These complaints report 5 crashes and 2 fires. Median mileage at failure: 54,450 miles.

Engine complaints
26
25% of 106
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
54,450 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 27, 2006, latest Jan 29, 2025.

2006 Hyundai Santa Fe engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2006Jan 2009Feb 2011May 2014Jan 2015Jun 2016Jan 2025
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2006 to Jan 2025; peak Jan 2009 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Santa Fe model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200559 (27%)
  2. 200626 (25%)
  3. 2007122 (18%)
  4. 2008115 (21%)
  5. 2009116 (32%)
  6. 201063 (24%)
  7. 201187 (48%)
  8. 2012264 (75%)
  9. 2013293 (48%)
  10. 2014289 (59%)
  11. 2015163 (64%)
  12. 2016157 (67%)
  13. 2017701 (73%)
  14. 201859 (54%)
  15. 201980 (40%)
  16. 202088 (41%)
  17. 202142 (25%)
  18. 202264 (32%)
  19. 202348 (23%)
  20. 202420 (13%)
  21. 202520 (15%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe have engine problems?
NHTSA has 26 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe, 25% of all complaints for this model year, including 5 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 54,450 miles.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe year has the most engine complaints?
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has the most engine complaints (701), compared with 26 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.