2008 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 541 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 17 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJul 25, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.
Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 12V354000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalSep 9, 2011
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
HYUNDAI DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER CONNECT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 11V472000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesSep 3, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. SOME CIRCUIT BOARD COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SEALED TO PREVENT MOISTURE CONTACT. THE MOISTURE MAY RESULT IN CIRCUIT BOARD CORROSION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE CONVERTER MODULE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL CONDUCTED BY HYUNDAI AFFECTING THE SAME TRAILER HITCH WIRING COMPONENTS CONCERNING HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1. (PLEASE SEE 08E016). OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THEIR TRAILER HITCH REPAIRED UNDER THE INITIAL CAMPAIGN WILL RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE FROM HYUNDAI TO HAVE THE NEWLY DESIGNED HARNESS INSTALLED. HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY ALL OWNERS AND WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED HARNESSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANT CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08E055000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 19, 2008
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 88,943 MY 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P235/60R18 TIRES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE BLACK CERTIFICATION LABEL AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CENTER PILLAR, INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR).
OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
HYUNDAI WILL MAIL CORRECTED CERTIFICATION LABELS ALONG WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED OWNERS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08V272000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesFeb 7, 2008
THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1 COULD CAUSE HEAT RELATED DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE.
EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AREA AND MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 08E016000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
70 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 17, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DOES NOT DETECT HER WEIGHT. SHE WEIGHS ROUGHLY 102 LBS. SECONDLY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH SIGNIFIED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY AND INJURE THE OCCUPANT. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V161000 (AIR BAGS); THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY RECOURSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,756. UPDATED 4/14/09 *CN UPDATED 04/17/09.*JB
Air bags, Feb 28, 2009
AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON TO SHOW AIRBAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING. 2008 SANTA FE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DEALER RESET COMPUTER CODE FOR AIRBAG SENSORS. WORKED FOR A COUPLE WEEKS , THEN LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. RETURNED TO DEALER TO CHECK AGAIN. DEALER SAID THE AIRBAG SENSOR BUILT INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER SUBSTITUTED A SEAT FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. THE DEALER CALLED A HYUNDAI ENGINEER IN CALIFORNIA AND WAS TOLD ALL AIRBAGS WERE NOT OPERABLE WHEN LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER NOW HAS CAR WAITING FOR DELIVERY OF A REPLACEMENT PASSENGER SEAT. DEALER CLAIMS HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ONCE BEFORE. *TR
Air bags, Feb 20, 2009
2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PASSENGER AIRBAG WORKS SPORADICALLY AT BEST. PASSENGER WEIGHS AROUND 120 POUNDS AND THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY IN AN ACCIDENT. HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE NOW AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE SONOTA HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED THE AT 50 MILES VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 600 MILES. *TR
Air bags, Feb 4, 2009
PURCHASED 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHEN EVER A PASSENGER WOULD SHIFT THEIR WEIGHT IN THE SEAT, THE SENOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON. TOOK INTO DEALER TWO TIMES WITH NO PROBLEM FOUND. THIRD TIME FACTORY REP WAS PRESENT, PROBLEM FOUND BUT COULD NOT BE FIXED. WAS OFFERED A DIFFERENT CAR WITH ME PAYING THE DIFFERENCE IN STICKER PRICE OR THEY WOULD BUY BACK MY CAR WITH A FEE. THE LEMON LAW IN REVERSE. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Feb 3, 2009
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DISENGAGES FREQUENTLY WITH ADULT IN SEAT. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS FUNCTIONING AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO ...... NOT ACCEPTABLE. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION. *TR
Air bags, Feb 3, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WOULD NOT STOP ILLUMINATING WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN SOMEONE OCCUPIED THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER AND WAS LEFT FOR REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
Air bags, Dec 30, 2008, crash
THE LAST WEEK FOR NOV. 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW SANTA FE FOR MY WIFE. ON 12/26/2008 SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON WRECK. MY 25 YR. OLD DAUGHTER WHO IS VERY PETTY ABOUT 110 LBS. WAS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING SHE WAS INJURED VERY SERIOUSLY. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE WERE PRIOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIR BAGS IT APPEARS THAT THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THE MANUFACTURE NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR TWO MONTHS BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DOOR LOCKS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY STATING THAT THEY HAVE TO REWIRE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE REPAIRED. THE PART WAS ORDERED, BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE DOORS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED UNSUCCESSFULLY APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Air bags, Nov 6, 2008
THE AIR BAG SUPPRESSION SYSTEM OF MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SE IS SUPPRESSING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WHEN MY WIFE, WHO WEIGHTS BETWEEN 110 AND 115 POUNDS, OCCUPIES THE SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPEN EVER TIME MY WIFE HAS SAT IN THE VEHICLE SINCE WE TOOK DELIVERY ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT ADVANTAGE HYUNDAI IN HICKSVILLE, NEW YORK WERE THEY USED A MALE TECHNICIAN WHOM I WAS TOLD WEIGHTS 130 POUNDS TO SHOW ME THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WAS WORKING TO SPECS AND INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER THAT COULD BE DONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY SERVICE THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WOULD SUPPRESS THE AIR BAGS FOR ANY WEIGHT UNDER 120 POUNDS. FOLLOWING THIS SERVICE APPOINTMENT, I SPOKE WITH CHARLIE CASE FOR THE NHTSA WHO SUGGESTED I FILE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2008
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SEEMS TO HAVE A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 105 LBS. AND THE SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY RECOGNIZES THE PASSENGER SEAT AS BEING OCCUPIED. WHEN I SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. I WEIGH 198 LBS. MY WIFE CAN USUALLY POSITION THE SEAT TO MAKE THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT TURN OFF BUT THEN THE SENSOR LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON AGAIN AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS OF DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SHOULD REGISTER ANYTHING OVER 100 LBS. AS AN ADULT AND THEREFORE THE SENSOR SHOULD REMAIN OFF INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS ACTIVATED. THE HYUNDAI DEALER CHECKED OUT THE SENSOR AND STATED THAT IT WAS WORKING NORMALLY. *TR
Air bags, Nov 3, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME AND THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER NEEDS TO WEIGH 120 LBS OR MORE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145.
Air bags, Oct 21, 2008
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG ARMS AND DISARMS INTERMITTENTLY DEPENDING ON THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. RECENTLY MY 21 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO WEIGHS 130 POUNDS HAD THE AIR BAG LIGHT GO ON INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS TURNED OFF WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. I CANNOT GET ANYONE FROM HYUNDAI OR THE DEALERSHIP TO GIVE ME AN EXACT WEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. CAN A SMALL ADULT WHO WEIGHS 115 TO 120 NEVER SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PERMANENTLY ARM THE AIRBAG IF WE WANT. I CANNOT GET ANYONE TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE AIRBAG CHECKS OUT FINE SO THEY ARE AT A LOSS. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THE WILL NOT COMMIT. *TR
Air bags, Sep 25, 2008
AIRBAG SENSOR IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT DETECT AN ADULT SITTING IN THE SEAT. AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Sep 20, 2008
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS A DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR. WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR THE "PASS AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT COMES ON WHICH INDICATES THAT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION HER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. SHE WEIGHS 145 POUNDS, BUT IF I GET IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT, I WEIGH 210 POUNDS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE WEIGHT SENSOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES COMPLAIN OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM , ALTHOUGH A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN THE HYUNDAI SONATA WAS ISSUED. PLEASE BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS, HAVE HYUNDAI ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Sep 9, 2008
HELLO, THIS IS A NEW CAR (400MI.) AND WITH MY WIFE (5'4" AND 120LBS.) SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING THE AIRBAG IS OFF. OCCASIONALLY THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF (AS EXPECTED, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ARMED) AS WE START DRIVING AND THEN IT WILL COME ON AFTER 5 TO 10MIN. OF DRIVING. IT IS VERY DISCONCERTING TO THINK THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED. THANKS, DAN *TR
Air bags, Aug 25, 2008
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SE SEEMS TO HAVE A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR. I WEIGH ABOUT 130 LB. AND IT OFTEN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE PASSENGER SEAT AS BEING OCCUPIED WHEN I SIT IN IT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL TURN OFF. I CAN USUALLY POSITION THE SEAT TO MAKE THE AIRBAG COME BACK ON BUT THEN THE AIRBAG WILL TURN OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING (ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO TURN OFF AND ON AFTER 30 SECONDS OF DRIVING). THIS IS A HAZARD AS THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SHOULD REGISTER ANYTHING OVER 100 LB. AS AN ADULT. *TR
Air bags, Jun 25, 2008
RE: FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG TO BE ACTIVATED. HYUNDAI 2008 SANTA FE WITH 150 MILES I AM A 145LB 5'8" MALE. 75% OF THE TIME WHEN I AM SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT, THE FRONT AIRBAG FAILS TO "TURN ON". EVEN THOUGH I'M SITTING UPRIGHT WITH MY FEET PLACED ON THE GROUND, EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE SENSORS LOCATED IN THE SEAT CUSHION FAIL TO RECOGNIZE ME AS AN ADULT. I HAVE VISITED THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND THEIR EQUIPMENT SAYS THE SENSORS ARE WORKING. I HAVE NUMEROUS WITNESSES AT THE DEALER WHO HAVE OBSERVED THE FAILURE OF THE SENSORS TO "TURN ON" THE AIRBAG WHEN I'M SITTING IN THE SEAT. *TR
Air bags, Jun 10, 2008
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG "OFF" INDICATOR LIGHTS WHEN A 115 POUND, 5'8" ADULT SITS IN THE SEAT (INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT). LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI NATIONAL 1-800 COMPLAINT LINE INDICATE THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS PERFORMING TO SPECIFICATIONS. I BELIEVE SPECIFICATIONS (SUPPOSEDLY A 130 POUND MINIMUM FOR FULL FUNCTIONING OF PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM) ARE INAPPROPRIATE AND RESULT IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR
Air bags, Jun 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATES WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HIS WIFE WEIGHS 103 LBS. WHEN AN OCCUPANT WEIGHTING 110 LBS OR MORE IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAGS WORK FINE. THE CONTACT HAS ATTEMPTED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE DEALER OWNER, BUT HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,980 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,656.
Air bags, Apr 25, 2008
2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE - PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION WITH AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON @ 250 MILES - LESS THAN 24 HRS AFTER PURCHASE. DEALER CLEARED CODE - PROBLEM RECURRED LATER SAME EVENING - NOW PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. SEEMS AS IF THE 2007 MODEL ISSUE HAS CARRIED OVER TO THE 208 MODEL. NOT HAPPY - BAD START FOR WHAT IS MARKETED AS A SAFE CAR - WHAT GOOD IS 8 AIRBAGS IF THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. *TR