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2005 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 3.5 Auto FWD

The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 3.5 Auto FWD is a 195-hp V6 with a 5-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $22,199 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.

It makes 195 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 219 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).

The Santa Fe measures 177.2 inches long on a 103.1-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$22,199 ($36,942 *)
MSRP with Destination$22,794 ($37,932 *)
Destination Charge$595
Engine
Engine TypeSigma G6CU 3.5L DOHC V6, MPI, naturally aspirated
Horsepower195 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque219 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 24-valve
Bore and Stroke93 x 85.8
Injection TypeMulti-point fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City16 MPG
Highway22 MPG
Combined18 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 in
Wheels Rear16 in
Tires FrontP225/70R16
Tires RearP225/70R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length177.2 in
Width72.6 in
Height65.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Ground Clearance8.1 in
Cargo Volume78 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front39.6 in
Headroom Rear39.2 in
Legroom Front41.6 in
Legroom Rear36.8 in
Shoulder Room Front56.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear56.5 in
Hip Room Front54.3 in
Hip Room Rear54.3 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (20.3 % risk)
Tested variant: 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR w/SAB

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Hyundai SANTA FE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jul 18, 2014 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

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 salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.

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.

NHTSA campaign 14V435000

Nov 17, 2005 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AS AN ADULT.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE'S OCS WILL PROPERLY CLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN WHEN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AND WILL DISABLE THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAGS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN FOR RECOGNITION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI OF PUERTO RICO AT 1-800-981-0188.

NHTSA campaign 05V527000

Oct 4, 2005 · AIR BAGS

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT OF THE VEHICLE MAY MISCLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AS AN ADULT.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE'S OCS WILL PROPERLY CLASSIFY CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN WHEN SEATED ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT AND WILL DISABLE THE RIGHT FRONT AIRBAGS. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE VEHICLE'S OCS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED MARGIN FOR RECOGNITION OF CERTAIN SMALL CHILDREN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

NHTSA campaign 05V450000

216 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2005 Hyundai SANTA FE

Owner Complaints

216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Hyundai SANTA FE (18 mention a crash, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags74
Vehicle Speed Control44
Service Brakes33
Suspension21
Seat Belts18
Fuel/Propulsion System14
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Apr 16, 2025 · Vehicle Speed Control
“While merging onto the freeway, the accelerator pedal got stuck to the floor with the throttle wide open. The brakes and emergency brake were ineffective. Measures had to be taken to drive off of the…”
Sep 25, 2024 · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“The contact owns a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to open while using the tailgate handle. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not…”
Apr 18, 2023 · Unknown Or Other, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“Car all of a sudden stopped running like normal. Can't go above 20 mph without sounding like backfiring or dying”
Mar 13, 2023 · Air Bags
“The airbag light stays on constantly - mechanic says it's the switch in the passenger seat belt and they encounter this problem with this vehicle all the time. Prevents the airbag from deploying if…”
Jan 5, 2023 · Air Bags
“The Air Bag light stays on and from my research the air bag will not work in an accident.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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