2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the exhaust muffler detached and fell off the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel tank failure. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon arriving at the dealer, the dealer noticed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact was informed that the exhaust muffler had detached because of the fuel tank failure. The contact was initially informed that the repair was covered under an extended warranty. The contact was later informed that the repair was not covered under the extended warranty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the safety failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11686706

Incident

Sep 4, 2025

I was driving my 2006 Subaru forester vin #[XXX] around 5 PM. I was waiting in an offramp lane to make a left turn, behind numerous cars. Suddenly, a car pulled up next to me and told me to pull over because my car was on fire. I pulled over to the shoulder and as I did so the car lost power. I looked back once I got out of the car and sure enough if it was on fire. I have no idea how this happened. I want it investigated. The car is currently at a tow yard and available for inspection. I do have pictures and video of the car fire as well as video from when the fire department put it out. I also have witnesses names and numbers. About 23 days prior, I had noticed a lack of power when climbing hills. I took it into firestone and they told me that there was a third cylinder issue, but that it wasn’t dangerous. He assured me it was not. Clearly that was not the case. This car, your vehicle, could’ve killed me. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact me at [XXX] . Thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11639443

Incident

Jan 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 264,000.

NHTSA ID

11512412

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

Mileage

264,000 mi

got in a roll over accident where the air bags did not deploy and caused serious injuries.

NHTSA ID

11496694

Incident

Jul 2, 2002

Gas tank rusted and started leak in June of 2000. Minor at first then worse. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, LUCKILY NEW CAUGHT FIRE OR EXPLODED. MANUFACTURER DID NOT NOTIFY US OF EXTENED WARRANTY,

NHTSA ID

11475176

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph when the vehicle began to accelerate without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The contact was able to pull over and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA ID

11435555

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

Mileage

143,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel tank was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11427123

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Mileage

118,000 mi

DASHBOARD RED AIRBAG STAY ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329602

Incident

Jun 3, 2020

Mileage

980,000 mi

ON MARCH 4, 2020, HEADING HOME AT NIGHT ON A CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD MY CAR (2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE) SUDDENLY JERKED, STARTED TO ACCELERATE TO OVER 80 MILES HOUR. AT THE SAME TIME HALF OF THE PANEL LIGHT BEHIND PART OF THE RPM'S AND HALF BEHIND THE MPH WENT OUT; THE REST OF THE PANEL WAS STILL LIT UP; I WAS HEADING DOWN THE CURVY ROAD ACCELERATING HEADING QUICKLY TOWARDS AN 18 WHEELER WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AND MY CAR KEPT ACCELERATING (I WAS NOT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL). I QUICKLY DROPPED MY CAR INTO LOW GEAR AND MANEUVERED AROUND THE 18-WHEELER AND TRYING THE BRAKES, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES, AND AS QUICKLY AS IT STARTED UP, IT STOPPED, AND MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE NORMAL (EXCEPT THE PANEL LIGHTS). ON MY WAY HOME (MARCH 5TH), IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD AT NIGHT! AS I BEGIN DESCENDING THE CURVY ROAD (DRIVING 40MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE), MY CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING AGAIN UP TO 90MPH! THERE WERE NOT AS MANY PEOPLE ON THE ROAD, SO I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT BY DROPPING DOWN INTO LOW GEAR AND AS I BEGAN ASCENDING THE MOUNTAIN ROAD, THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION STOPPED, AND THE CAR DROVE NORMAL. EACH INCIDENT LASTED ABOUT 5 MINUTES. ON MARCH 6, 2020, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND DID NOT FIND A CAUSE. HE TOLD ME TO CALL THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME TO CONTACT HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS, WHICH I DID. I REPORTED MY ISSUE AND MADE A CLAIM ON MARCH 6, 2020. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY CAR TO CAPITAL HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS WOULD SEND A FORENSIC ENGINEER OUT TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME TO NOT DRIVE MY CAR AND HAVE IT TOWED. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS INFORMING ME THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ID

11320353

Incident

Mar 4, 2020

Mileage

215,000 mi

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON. WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT GOES ON TO SHOW RESTRAINT SYSTEM OFF.. HOWEVER WHEN THERE IS NOBODY SITTING IN FRONT SEAT THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND IT SHOULD STAY ON

NHTSA ID

11279697

Incident

Oct 21, 2019

Mileage

118,900 mi

MY CAR BEGAN TO SUDDENLY AND AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ON AUGUST 4, 2019. THE SPEED ACCELERATED UP TO ABOUT 80MPH BEFORE BEING ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PRESS AS HARD AS I COULD IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING AGAIN. THANK GOD, THERE WERE NO CARS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME OR ON THE SIDE OF MY CAR BECAUSE THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETELY STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING EVEN THOUGH SHIFTING TO PARK. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP MOVING FORWARD UNTIL I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, WHICH CAUSED A VERY LOUD NOISE. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALER. THE SERVICE MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED, REPAIRED, INSPECTED AS WELL AS TEST DROVE THE CAR. THE COST FOR REPAIRS WERE CLOSE TO $900.00. NOW, ON THE WAY HOME AFTER PICKING UP MY CAR FROM BEING REPAIRED ON AUGUST 8, 2019, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS ON A CITY STREET WHILE TRAILING MY HUSBAND AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN MY CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. AND AGAIN, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR WAS TO PRESS THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD, PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. FOR ANYONE TO DRIVE THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN EVEN IF IT IS REPAIRED . THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED AGAIN TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP NEARBY. I CALLED HYUNDAI HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS. A CASE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK BUT COULD NOT REALLY HELP. SHE SAID THEY COULD POSSIBLY HELP WITH THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR A CAR RENTAL IF I DECIDED TO RENT A CAR WHILE MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11242917

Incident

Aug 4, 2019

Mileage

175,969 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY AFTER STARTING (LIGHT GOES OUT FOR 6" AT IGNITION TO ON). IT THROWS THE CODE B1448. I CAN RESET IT WITH MY SCANNER, BUT IT RETURNS AFTER A WEEK.

NHTSA ID

11230814

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD THROUGH THE NEIGHBOR'S FENCE BEFORE CRASHING INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. *JS

NHTSA ID

11171306

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

COIL SPRINGS ROTTED AND BROKE, ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, JUST PULLING AWAY FROM THE PUMPS AT THE GAS STATION. ALREADY PAID FOR REPLACEMENT OUT OF OWN POCKET. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO TIRE AND FRONT END ASSEMBLY. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V435000. NOT CAPABLE OF SCANNING TO COMPUTER DUE TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO.

NHTSA ID

11112210

Incident

Dec 20, 2013

Mileage

160,000 mi

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER INITIAL STARTUP DISPLAY. CODE READER INDICATED B1511 CODE, SHORT BETWEEN DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND BATTERY. FURTHER EVALUATION DEMONSTRATED THAT SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DID NOT DISPLAY AT ALL, WHETHER BELT WAS BUCKLED OR UNBUCKLED. INTERNET RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THIS FAULT MAY PREVENT AIR BAG FROM FUNCTIONING IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. TO EVALUATE FURTHER, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS RESET TO CHECK FOR RECURRENCE. CODE RECURRED. IT WAS NOTED THAT CODE COULD BE PREVENTED AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD DISPLAY PROPERLY IF THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS PRESSED DOWNWARD AND SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE DRIVER. THIS WAS CONSISTENT WITH OBSERVATION THAT FOLLOWING A RESET, AIR BAG LIGHT RECURRED WHEN VEHICLE TURNED LEFT, CAUSING DRIVER TO SHIFT AGAINST BUCKLE. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS OBSERVED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ALSO MOVING SLOWLY. DRIVER IS UNWILLING TO REMOVE SEAT BELT DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING TO EVALUATE FURTHER. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA HAS DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. INTERNET SEARCHES INDICATE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED OCCURRENCE, AND FURTHER THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON VEHICLES BUILT ON THE SAME OR SIMILAR PLATFORM.

NHTSA ID

11097946

Incident

May 12, 2018

Mileage

164,000 mi

CAR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE CAR WAS IN FACTORY WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER, 5 YEAR 60K MILES). REPORTED TO DEALER WHILE WITHIN WARRANTY, DEALER ONLY CLEARED IT WITHOUT INVESTIGATING CAUSE. WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON AND OFF OVER THE YEARS, BUT NEVER THOUGHT IT A PROBLEM UNTIL 2018 MA STATE INSPECTION WOULD FAIL IF AIRBAG LIGHT ON. HAD CODE READ AT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND CAME OUT AS B1448, OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION MAT DEFECT. RESEARCHED AND FOUND SAME CODE WAS RECALLED IN 2007, 2008 FOR SONATA, BUT NOT FOR MY SANTA FE. CONTACTED HYUNDAI USA AND REQUESTED THEY REPLACE IT FOR FREE. THEY DECLINED AND BLAMED ME FOR NOT FURTHER PURSUING IT WHILE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11076557

Incident

Feb 20, 2018

TO WHOM IT MAY HAVE MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS LIGHTING UP.

NHTSA ID

11034050

Incident

Apr 23, 2017

ABS WARNING LAMP LIT. B1513 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE PRESENT. RESET OF CODE AND LIGHT RETURNS AFTER A COUPLE OF DRIVE CYCLES. ERROR IS PAX SEAT BELT BUCKLE SWITCH SHORTED TO V+. NO ACCIDENT AND MILEAGE IS 140K PLAN TO R&R BUCKLE AND DETERMINE WHY COST FOR REPLACEMENT PART IS SO HIGH. PRICE RANGES FROM $180 TO $400 FOR PART.

NHTSA ID

11022056

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN STUCK ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE AIRBAG CODE STATES THAT IT IS THE OCCUPANT MAT SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

11006782

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. I HAVE RESET THE ALARM CODE AND IN IT JUST COMES BACK WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH A LOT OF HYUNDAI SANTE FE'S

NHTSA ID

11002118

Incident

Aug 20, 2016

Mileage

76,000 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF(EVERY DAY , SEVERAL TIMES ON A 30-45 MINS DRIVE ) ON DASHBOARD AS I AM DRIVING ON REGULAR BASIS .. SEEMS LIKE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY WHILE LIGHT IS ON , AND IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND LIGHT IS ON I THINK THE DRIVER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY . HYUNDAI DEALERS ALREADY KNOW THE ISSUE AND APPARENTLY IS A BAD ELECTRIC CONNECTION ON THE SEAT BELT CLICK THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE ... THEY ARE WILLING TO "DIAGNOSE IT" FOR $125 .. BUT MANY PEOPLE SAYS THE COST OF REPAIR IS $490 . THEY WONT ACKNOWLEDGE IS A DEFECT ON THE WIRING AND WANT PEOPLE TO PAY FOR IT .IS VERY SCARY DRIVING KNOWING THAT MY AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ID

11000116

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi

A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THIS LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. CURRENTLY, MY THE LIGHT GOES OFF FOR A SECOND WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THEN, IT IS ON ALL OF THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

10984271

Incident

Apr 7, 2017

LETTER FROM SENATOR SCHUMER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE TIMING BELT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10882220

Incident

May 1, 2015

THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF, THEN IT STAYS ON, HAD IT CHECKED AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN MOTION IN TEMPLE TX, ON THE STREET AND ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

10875655

Incident

Jan 18, 2016

2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION RECALL NOTICE AND FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. *SMD

NHTSA ID

10870976

Incident

Jun 1, 2016