The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Santa Fe · 2006

2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index45100 = average car
Complaints20NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold63,931U.S. model year
Per 100K sold31complaints
Year rank#2 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD18 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD18 / 25 / 20Regular$3,100
2.7L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
2.7L 6-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD16 / 21 / 18Regular$3,450
3.5L 6-cylAuto 5-spdFWD16 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450
3.5L 6-cylAuto 5-spd4Wheel or AWD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,800 and 103,200 miles. Median 62,100, from 82 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags76,60012,500–116,00019
Speed control57,00010,400–152,40020
Suspension83,80062,300–125,0007
Brakes78,00050,000–117,00011
Electrical52,30013,100–63,8009

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control30%
Brakes25%
Airbags20%
Lights15%
Electrical10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
106113602

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 14V435000 Jul 2014 Suspension / Front / Springs / Coil Springs

    Defect. Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 “salt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road s

    Risk. 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.

    Remedy. 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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.

Manufacturer communications 50

Hyundai filed 50 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Abs pump self-check noise
  • Radiator fan motor connector service part

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
NoNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2003121100101,278Brakes
20047874111,447Brakes
2005734268,006Speed control
2006452063,931Speed control
200716413492,421Airbags
20081319570,994Airbags
2009925980,343Speed control

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data