RoadVitals

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Apr 18, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 216 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 18, 2023

Car all of a sudden stopped running like normal. Can't go above 20 mph without sounding like backfiring or dying

NHTSA ID
11517629
Incident
Apr 16, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 25, 2018

GAS IS LEAKING OUT OF OF THE CAR THE GAS TANK IS BAD I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STOPPED

NHTSA ID
11103708
Incident
May 11, 2018
Mileage
147 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 13, 2018

I HAD PURCHASED THIS AUTO IN MAY 2017. FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD GOTTEN THE AUTO FROM A AUTO AUCTION. WHEN I PURCHASED THE AUTO - I PURCHASED AS IS- NO WARRANTY- I TEST DROVE AUTO- HAD INSPECTED- NO MAJOR PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME. HAD AUTO FOR A WEEK- BROKE DOWN- PROBLEMS::::: VERY SLOW ACCELERATION, SHIFTING GEARS AND JERKING OF THE AUTO, VERY FAST IDLING WHEN STOPPING- I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE :::::AFTER PURCHASING AUTO::::- CAN NOT DRIVE. I HAVE HAD 3 ESTIMATES- NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE AUTO OR DIAGNOSE THE AUTO PROPERLY. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE SINCE I PURCHASED THE AUTO. IT JUST SITS, AND WHEN I THINK THE PROBLEM IS FIXED, THEN IT STOPS RUNNING. SOME SAY IT IS THE :::::CATALYTIC CONVERTERS - IT HAS 3 THAT NEEDS REPLACED.::::::: I REPORTED IN MY RESIDENCE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU - COMPLAINT RESOLUTION AND TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE- BOTH SAID THEY NOT NOT RESOLVE :::: THE DEALERSHIP- DOES NOT WANT TO MEDIATE - OR TAKE BACK THE AUTO. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO FILE A CLAIM- IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT- AND DID NOT KNOW IF IT WOULD BE WORTH MY TIME. ::::::::: I KNOW THE AUTO IS 2005 AND HAS 189,000 NOW- BUT I FEEL THAT I HAVE A AUTO NOW THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD- IF I AM ABLE TO GET THE AUTO RUNNING - AND IT JERKS AROUND- AND STOPS IN TRAFFIC - IT COULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT. IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE THE AUTO ON ROAD AT ALL.. IT IS ALSO A ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM DUE TO THE UNSAFE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS- THEY GET HOT AND CAN CATCH ON FIRE.:::::::::: I CAN NOT FIND MECHANICS THAT WANT TO WORK WITH THE CONVERTERS................. I PAID 3,000 FOR THE AUTO- IT WILL COST THIS OR MORE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE AUTO............. I AM WRITING TO THE NHTSA- TO GET ANY FEEDBACK FROM YOU. SINCERELY, M- VERY FRUSTRATED DRIVER

NHTSA ID
11078902
Incident
Jun 3, 2017
Mileage
189,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 26, 2017

I WAS DRIVING COMING UP TO A TURN, TOOK THE LEFT TURN, AND ACCELERATED LIKE A NORMALLY DO, THE CAR'S RPMS WENT UP TO ABOUT 5 THOUSAND RPMS. I HEARD A POP LIKE NOISE AND THE RPMS JUST STARTED DROPPING AND THERE WAS NO RESTRICTION ON THE GAS PEDAL (FELT LIKE I WAS PUSHING AIR). THE VEHICLE THEN JUST ROLLED ONCE IT WAS AT ABOUT 10 MPH RPMS WENT UNDER 1 THOUSAND AND THE VEHICLE DIED. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT IT WAS JUST CRANK AND CRANK, DOESN'T EVEN SOUND LIKE IT WANTS TO TURN OVER. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
11010693
Incident
Jul 26, 2017
Mileage
171,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 21, 2016

IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. I MUST THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP IT. EVEN WHEN I AM IN PARK IT WILL SUDDENLY ACT LIKE I AM GIVING IT GAS WHEN I AM NOT. IT IS VERY SCARY AND HAPPENING MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA ID
10821549
Incident
Jan 21, 2016
Mileage
96,052 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 2015

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STARTED TO "JUMP" PERSAY. IT JUMPED FROM 1 RPM TO 5 RPM, WHEN I TRIED RO BRAKE IT ACTED AS IF MY GEARS WERE GRINDING, AND IT THRUSTED ME FORWARD. THIS IS A VERY SCARY INCIDENT THAT HAS HAPPENED ALOT, BUT UP TIL THIS MORNING, THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED MY BATTERY IN HOPES IT WOULD RESET. AFTER ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES WE HOOKED THE BATTERY BACK UP AND TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I ALMOST CRASHED THIS MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK WHILE I WAS DOING 55MPH I CAME TO A CURVE AND MY CAR JUMPED TO 5 RPMS AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR....THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!!!

NHTSA ID
10744466
Incident
Mar 17, 2015
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 27, 2015
Crash reported

WHILE WAITING FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN, MY CAR WAS STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. . MY CAR LEARCHED FORWARD. I COULD FEEL THE ENGINE ACCELERATE. BY THE TIME I GOT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL, I HIT THE CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME. THE TRUNK WAS DAMAGED, NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR. SINCE OWNING THIS CAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ACCELERATION BEFORE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALER, THE DISCUSSING ENDS UP WITH THE DEALER SUGGESTING THAT I WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND NOT THE BRAKE. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT WHEN THIS OCCURS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOTHING. THE SHIFT MUST BE MOVED TO NEUTRAL THE FOOT TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE. EVERY TIME I DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER HE SAYS SHOW HIM WHAT HAPPENS, THE PROBLEM I CAN NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM AND CANNOT BE CREATED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT AS I READ THE COMPLAINTS I AM NOT ALONE. HYUNDAI HAS GOT TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679289
Incident
Jan 6, 2015
Mileage
62,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.

NHTSA ID
10671016
Incident
Jan 20, 2014
Mileage
13,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2014

AFTER A STOP, ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THIS IS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT; THERE HAVE BEEN APPROX 15 SIMILAR INCIDENTS OVER PAST 12-18 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650978
Incident
Oct 10, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 29, 2014

A/C HAS HAD A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD THE COMPRESSOR REPLACED, BECAUSE THE "MECHANIC" TURNED THE BOLT THE WRONG WAY AND WRUNG IT OFF, I HAD TO REPLACE. HYUNDAI WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THEIR MECHANIC. THIS REPAIR DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AS IT STILL HAPPENS NOW, 8 YEARS LATER. IT WILL COOL GOOD, THEN THE COMPRESSOR WILL OUT AND NOT COME BACK ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS IT NOT PROBLEM WITH THEIR PARTS OR PROCEDURES. FINALLY GOT TIRED OF THEIR LIES AND FAILURE TO TRY TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY ONLY AND LAST HYUNDAI, THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER BACKED CAR COMPANY IN THIS WORLD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629489
Incident
Aug 11, 2006
Mileage
13,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Dec 1, 2013

STARTED ENGINE. PLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTION INTO REVERSE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY HAD AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION TO PERHAPS 2500 RPM. OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY APPLIED VERY HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP ANY REAR DIRECTION MOVEMENT. OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER BACK TO THE PARK POSITION, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESTARTING, EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS HAD ALSO OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME IN SEPTEMBER, 2013 UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. OPERATOR INITIALLY ASSUMED THAT PERHAPS HIS FOOT HAD MOVED TO THE RIGHT AND WAS DEPRESSING BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SEE IF THIS COULD BE DONE, OPERATOR COULD NOT REPLICATE. IT IS ASSUMED THE THROTTLE SENSOR LOCATOR MAY BE FAULTY. VERY DISTURBING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN PROPERTY OR PERSONAL DAMAGE.. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554266
Incident
Nov 13, 2013
Mileage
119,131 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2013

WHEN I'M STARTING UP FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AS IF I HAVE "FLOORED IT." I AM A REALTOR AND DRIVE 100'S OF MILES A WEEK. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST TWICE A DAY, ON AVERAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509062
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance+1 more
Filed Mar 1, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY MOMS SANTA FE HAS SPED OUT OF CONTROL SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS. THE LAST INCIDENT CAUSED INJURIES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL CARS. SECOND INCIDENT WAS ON THE ROAD WHERE CAR SPED UP AND SHE TURNED IT OFF. THE THIRD WAS BACKING OUT OF A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE HITTING A CAR AND THEN TRIED TO PUT IN NEUTRAL BUT WENT INTO DRIVE INSTEAD. SHE HIT A POST AND THE FRONT END WRAPPED AROUND THE POST BUT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY. STATE FARM AND MANY ATTORNEYS WON'T TOUCH THIS CASE BECAUSE OF THE COSTS INVOLVED TO SUE SUCH A LARGE CORPORATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10500947
Incident
Feb 19, 2013
Mileage
71,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Feb 1, 2012

I HAD MY SUV WORKED ON PRIOR TO DRIVING IT HOME WHEN I NOTICED A REALLY LOUD NOISE THAT GOT MY ATTENTION. I PULLED MY CAR OVER TO A GAS STATION FILLED UP AND TRIED TO TURN MY ENGINE OVER AND MY ENGINE HAD LOCKED UP. I HAD TO CALL A TOW COMPANY WHICH WAS DIFFICULT SINCE IT WAS THANKSGIVING MORNING AND WAIT AN HR TO GET IT TO THE SHOP. I FOUND OUT MY AC COMPRESSOR HAD LOCKED UP MY MOTOR AND I HAD PAID OVER 3000 IN REPAIRS. I HAD THE POWER STEERING BELT PUT ON AND I WAS NOT INFORMED THE AC COMPRESSOR COULD HAVE BURNT UP MY NEW BELT. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY STEERING WHEEL FEELING LOOSE. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP DIDN'T INFORM ME THEY HAD REMOVED MY FUSES # 10 AND # 30. I HAD FOUND THEM LYING ON MY AC COMPRESSOR COVER. THIS CAR WAS RUNNING HOT AND MY MOTOR LOCKED UP DUE TO THE AC COMPRESSOR, SOLENOID ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10446125
Incident
Nov 25, 2011
Mileage
82,580 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Sep 20, 2011

VEHICLE WAS BEING PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A GROCERY WHEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF A CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE WHICH IN TURN WAS PUSHED INTO THE SIDE OF A SECOND AUTO PARKED IN THE THIRD SPACE. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE PAST BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY 2007. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 2 DEALERSHIPS AND EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ANY VEHICLE. THIS TIME WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE AUTO COULD NOT BE STOPPED USING THE BRAKES AND THE AUTO COULD NOT BE STEERED. THE OTHER TIMES WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND WERE NOT AWARE OF A STEERING PROBLEM. DO KNOW THAT THE BRAKES JUST BARELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AFTER STANDING ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET. I NOW FEAR SERIOUS INJURY TO ME, MY WIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE. THIS VEHICLE COULD VERY WELL TAKE US OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10426412
Incident
Sep 14, 2011
Mileage
45,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2010

2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 3.5 L ENGINE. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE OFTEN SURGES, CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD RAPIDLY. HAPPENS PERHAPS ONE TIME OUT OF 3, BUT INCIDENCE IS INCREASING. HARD TO CONTROL ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10347526
Incident
Jul 10, 2010
Mileage
67,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 1, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THERE IS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, UPON INSPECTION THE VIBRATION WAS NOTICED HOWEVER A REPAIR COULD NOT BE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAUSED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10156554
Incident
Apr 28, 2006
Mileage
3,500 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 14, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE TRACTION CONTROL, WHICH ALLOWED THE FRONT WHEELS TO SLIP IN THE SNOW. THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR CUT IN AND OUT WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ON. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY SUGGESTED TURNING THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF. THE CONTACT TRIED THE DEALER'S SUGGESTION. AND NOW, ONLY ONE WHEEL WILL TURN IN THE SNOW, THE ENGINE IDLED LOW, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE SECOND PROBLEM OCCURRED ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AFTER A COMPLETE STOP. THE LAST PROBLEM WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DPS VALVE SENSOR AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE. THE CONTACT HAD ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ONCE SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10145206
Incident
Oct 30, 2005
Mileage
1 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .