Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (33.3% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 3.9× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 72 · 33.3% | Recalled | Recall 05V527000 · Recall 05V450000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 37 · 17.1% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes | 18 · 8.3% | No official action | — |
| Seat Belts | 16 · 7.4% | No official action | — |
| Suspension | 16 · 7.4% | Recalled | Recall 14V435000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 14 · 6.5% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 216 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V435000 · 2014 · reported 07/18/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V527000 · 2005 · reported 11/17/2005
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CRASH OR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A SIDE COLLISION CRASH; SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V450000 · 2005 · reported 10/04/2005
THE POSSIBILITY OF MISCLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN AS AN ADULT MAY ALLOW THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION CRASH OR THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN A SIDE COLLISION CRASH; SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“RECENTLY I GOT B1513 CODE WITH MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I FOUND THAT MANY SANTA FE OWNER'S HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM EXACT SAME PROBLEM…”NHTSA complaint 10621061 — filed 08/09/2014 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN…”NHTSA complaint 10610992 — filed 07/16/2014 · AIR BAGS
“A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, AN AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SIMPLY SEARCHING THE…”NHTSA complaint 10610045 — filed 07/12/2014 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 72 of 216 NHTSA complaints (33.3%), followed by vehicle speed control (37), service brakes (18), seat belts (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
216 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V435000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
