The Lemon Index2005 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe is better than average by owner complaints: 42 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 73, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 216 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 107K miles on the car (175 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 72K–120K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 1K–64K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 52K–124K miles
Recalls 3
- suspension 2014
The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road s.
- airbags 2005
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.
- airbags 2005
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 54 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Abs pump self check noise
- Abs pump self-check noise
- Radiator fan motor connector service part
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2005 Hyundai Santa fe resurfaced rotors, vibrating steering wheel and brake pedal.
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 10164780
More owner reports
My 2005 Santa fe 3.5l engine has a computer operated gas pedal that makes it difficult to achieve a smooth linear acceleration. I feel this problem should be corrected before and accident or injury occurs.
NHTSA complaint 10116602
When 2005 Santa fe accelerator pedal is depressed it has a delayed reaction.
NHTSA complaint 10155188
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 73; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (52%), brakes (17%) and airbags (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
3 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 107,000 miles. The middle report was at 79,500 miles, from 175 complaints.
Does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works