HyundaiSanta Fe2006Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2006/base/

2006 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Santa Fe.

Body SUV

The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe arrives as an SUV specified with a 4.5-quart oil capacity running 5W-20 or 5W-30 API grades, and its reliability profile shows 106 total owner complaints — most frequently citing air bags — alongside a single recall. Across the Santa Fe's 2001–2026 complaint history, the 2006 model year sits well below the peak of 941 complaints recorded for 2017 and far above the 28 logged for 2026, placing it in the lower-mid range of the nameplate's reported issue volume. This positioning suggests the 2006 vintage avoids the sharp complaint spikes seen in later generations while reflecting more owner feedback than the most recent, data-thin model years.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnS/MOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.2 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3752 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.5–10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.50 sec — 2003 GLS 3.5L V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004LX 3.5L V69.70 sec17.02 sec200 hpAWD
2003GLS 3.5L V69.50 sec16.90 sec200 hpAWD
2001LX 2.7L V610.30 sec17.60 sec173 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 7-9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 15-19 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130-138 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-55 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolt 11-14 ft-lbs, nut: 23-30 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM8 nut: 18-22 ft-lbs, M10 nut: 25-30 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-15 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-192 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.70-.86 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance18,000-23,000 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.67-.81 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,305-15,295 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.27-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.73-5.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)45.5-50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression170-145 PSI. Maximum variation of 14 PSI.
Engine Compression149-170 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-74 ft-lbs / 37-44 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.39 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts8–9 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9025.5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260 ft. lbs.60 ft. lbs
345
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260 ft. lbs.60 ft. lbs
345
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect)
Every 25,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 52,500 miFuel Filter (replace) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe demonstrates strong reliability in federal data, recording only 106 complaints and 1 recall. This represents a significant improvement over 2005, which had 216 complaints and 3 recalls, and it precedes a sharp spike in 2007, where complaints jumped to 681 and recalls to 9. Within the broader timeline, 2006 serves as a statistical low point for complaints and recalls before the trend worsened in subsequent years. The most frequent issues for 2006 include air bags (23), vehicle speed control (9), and suspension (9), though the data does not specify the root causes of these problems. Because it sits at the bottom of the complaint arc for its era, this is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
48
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
106
Owner complaints
11 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 106 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags23
Vehicle Speed Control9
Suspension9
Service Brakes8
Exterior Lighting5
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V435000Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsReported 18/07/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 48 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Santa Fe take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.