MotorDeets

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe: 3 recalls, 216 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.

3vehicle recalls
216owner complaints
18mention a crash
20best combined mpg
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo: Deloreanman14 at English Wikipedia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Airbags Vehicle recall #05V450000 · 2005 · 12,000 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The 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…

Airbags Vehicle recall #05V527000 · 2005 · 134 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

The 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…

Suspension Vehicle recall #14V435000 · 2014 · 271,773 vehicles

What's wrong: The affected vehicles May experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.

Why it matters: 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.

The fix: 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.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.

Airbags74
Speed control / throttle44
Suspension21
Seat belts18
Brakes18
Fuel & propulsion14
Brakes (hydraulic)13
Transmission & drivetrain11

What owners describe

The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has 216 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 26 Santa Fe model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 295). Complaints peaked in 2014 (33 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 79,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (303 complaints, 3 recalls), 2006 (106 complaints, 1 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.4 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive182420Regular
2.4 L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive182520Regular
2.7 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive172319Regular
3.5 L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive162218Regular
2.7 L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive162118Regular
3.5 L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive152117Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe manual

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FAQ

Does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (74), speed control / throttle (44), suspension (21).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Santa Fe years

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