2005 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 5%of 216 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,592miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE, 5% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,592 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaint #10821549, filed 2016-01, 96,052 miles“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 complaint #11010693, filed 2017-07, 171,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11078902, filed 2018-03, 189,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10744466, filed 2015-07, 136,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10509062, filed 2013-04, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 14 | 10% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 35 | 16% |
| 2022 | 54 | 27% |
| 2021 | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 | 81 | 37% |
| 2019 | 73 | 36% |
| 2018 | 54 | 49% |
| 2017 | 650 | 67% |
| 2016 | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 | 161 | 63% |
| 2014 | 274 | 56% |
| 2013 | 273 | 45% |
| 2012 | 228 | 64% |
| 2011 | 64 | 35% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 60 | 17% |
| 2008 | 60 | 11% |
| 2007 | 54 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE
74 complaintsVehicle speed control
44 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsSuspension
21 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology