Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe: common problems and reliability
One of the better Santa Fe years.
The best Hyundai Santa Fe year. All Santa Fe years
106 owner complaints, most about air bags. 1 recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Santa Fe?The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe has 106 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and vehicle speed control.
Safety record for the 2006 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Santa Fe years only. How we score it
Is 2006 a good year for the Santa Fe?
Across the 26 Santa Fe model years we track, complaint volume runs from 106 (2006) to 1,316 (2017). With 106 complaints, the 2006 Santa Fe sits below the model's median of 287.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2006 Santa Fe
suspension:front:springs:coil springs
Campaign 14V435000Hyundai 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided by model year and engine type, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Santa Fe. See the full Santa Fe owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Santa Fe listings typically run $18,687–$28,522.
Other Santa Fe model years
Compare every Santa Fe year side by side to see how 2006 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Santa Fe against its rivals
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