The 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 538,483 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 386 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION14V4350002014-07-18271,773 affected
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,…
Consequence
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC04V1310002004-03-1617,401 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5 LITER V-6 ENGINES, 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS), IF THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 3 AND 12 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PAD FRICTION SURFACES ARE WET, A VIBRATION MAY OCCUR BETWEEN THE BRAKE DISCS AND PADS CAUSING ABS SENSOR ELECTRONIC…
Consequence
IF AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
EQUIPMENT03V5200002003-12-18249,309 affected
Defect
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence
THE TIRE PRESSURE LABELS DO NOT CONTAIN THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION
48
AIR BAGS
36
7crashes14injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
36
5crashes1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16
1crashes1fires6injuries
ENGINE
16
3fires
SERVICE BRAKES
16
1crashes2fires1injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT
15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
14
2fires1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
12
1fires
Total complaints386
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“In transit, it began smoking and the engine light came on. After pulling to the side, flames erupted and it became fully engulfed, followed by a small explosion. The vehicle and it’s contents were a total loss.”
“The contact owns a 2004 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that on six separate occasions, the vehicle had independently accelerated without warning. On one occasion, the vehicle had accelerated through a red light with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. On a separate occasion, the…”
“The contact owned a 2004 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 25 mph the braking system malfunctioned and when depressing the brake pedal the vehicle did not reduce speed or stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the…”
“Driving in the rain hit brakes they locked up”
“This was a recall for hundai santa fe vehicles from 2001-2006. For unknown reasons I was not aware of recall. It was for 15 years or 150 miles. It is a danger as my car leaks gas. I am at 135,000 miles. But my car is a 2004. I purchased the vehicle in the last 2 years. I believe the recall should…”
“Last night my mothers 2004 hyundai santa fe caught fire the car had been parked for hours, the keys were not in the car it was completely off. It made absolutely no since untill I done some research and seen the lawsuit for this same thing and I wondered why this model was not included. I also…”
“Last night my mothers 2004 hyundai santa fe caught fire the car had been parked for hours, the keys were not in the car it was completely off. It made absolutely no since untill I done some research and seen the lawsuit for this same thing and I wondered why this model was not included. I also…”
“Last night my mothers 2004 hyundai santa fe caught fire the car had been parked for hours, the keys were not in the car it was completely off. It made absolutely no since untill I done some research and seen the lawsuit for this same thing and I wondered why this model was not included. I also…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.