CarBrief

NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe[1]. Air bags top the list with 28 complaints[2].

106owner complaints[1]
1recalls[3]
17–20MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners reported problems in several areas, and these are the groups with the most complaints.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2006 Santa Fe is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[13] 18 / 25 / 20 $3,350
Santa Fe 2WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] 17 / 23 / 19 $3,550
Santa Fe 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
Santa Fe 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[16] 16 / 21 / 18 $3,700
Santa Fe 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[17] 15 / 21 / 17 $3,950

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
4 DR RWD/AWD[18] n/a n/a n/a 3 20.3%

How 2006 compares with other years

2001: 209 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 165 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 308 complaints, 4 recalls2004: 303 complaints, 3 recalls20042005: 216 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 106 complaints, 1 recalls10620062007: 684 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 541 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 358 complaints, 2 recalls2010: 260 complaints, 2 recalls20102011: 181 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 354 complaints, 1 recalls2013: 805 complaints, 7 recalls20132014: 657 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 339 complaints, 4 recalls2016: 306 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 1,326 complaints, 7 recalls2018: 432 complaints, 5 recalls2019: 229 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 217 complaints, 2 recalls2021: 187 complaints, 8 recalls2022: 265 complaints, 8 recalls20222023: 290 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 191 complaints, 7 recalls2025: 238 complaints, 5 recalls20252026: 56 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Santa Fe model year. The 2006 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20012094
20021654
20033084
20043033
20052163
20061061
20076847
20085414
20093582
20102602
20111812
20123541
20138057
20146577
20153394
20163063
20171,3267
20184325
20192293
20202172
20211878
20222658
20232902
20241917
20252385
2026564

NHTSA's counts for the Santa Fe show 106 complaints and 1 recalls for 2006[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 2 have fewer complaints than 2006 and 24 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2017 (1,326)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2006 Santa Fe?

The 2006 Santa Fe has a record of owner complaints that centers on safety systems, with air bags and brakes both in the top three groups[2][6]. Speed control complaints also rank high[5]. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and they are not adjusted for how many were sold[1]. If you are shopping for one, check the air bag lights, test the brakes, and look closely at the front springs. Also look at the Recalls section on this page, since a recall exists for this model year[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Air bags lead the complaint list, followed by speed control and brakes[2][5][6]. NHTSA has 106 complaints in total[1].
Has the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe been recalled?
Yes, the by-year data shows a recall for this model year[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
Is the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Owner reports are mixed in what they cover, with safety systems at the top of the list[2][6]. They are unverified, so use them as a guide and not a verdict[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2006 the best year for the Hyundai Santa Fe?
See the by-year comparison on this page to weigh it against other years[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe

Compare all model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe

Other Hyundai models from 2006

All Hyundai models

Similar cars from 2006: suvs

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe (11 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 28 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,316). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Santa Fe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 20 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 17 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 13 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,801). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 10 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,312). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 9 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 8 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,801). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 14V435, filed July 18, 2014: Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs. NHTSA recall database
  13. EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Santa Fe 4WD, 2.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Santa Fe 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.3%. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.