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: fuel/propulsion system
215 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2014
THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR. IT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. IT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ON CONSISTENTLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS ARE DEALING WITH PER WEBSITES THAT I HAVE READ. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2014
THE FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER READS PROPERLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE CODE IS PO464 WHICH INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $800 FROM THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OF THE FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES, WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 13, 2014
THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED AND WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. CAR HAD TO BE THROWN INTO NEUTRAL AND KEY TURNED OFF. ALL FOUR BRAKES WERE BURNT UP. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS THERE A CRASH. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE OTHER THAN THE RPM'S RISING EVEN THOUGH BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED. SO THEY KNOW IT HAPPENED BUT JUST DON'T KNOW WHY. CALLED HYUNDAI TO DOCUMENT THIS AND THEIR ONLY RESPONSE WAS THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC STUDY. SURE - SPEND MORE MONEY WITH HYUNDAI FOR THEM TO TELL ME NOTHING. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF 30+ LIVES. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 12, 2014
THE GAS GAUGE ON OUR SANTA FE STOPPED WORKING RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE TANK TO FULL. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 50 MILES OR SO, THE GAUGE WILL SLOWLY RISE TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL BUT WILL DROP BACK DOWN IF THE SUV SITS IN IDLE FOR ANY TIME LONGER THAN 3 MINUTES. IT WILL ALSO FLUCTUATE GREATLY AFTER IT HITS 1/2 A TANK OF GAS. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WILL GO FROM HAVING OVER 1/4 OF A TANK TO SHOWING NO GAS AND THE GAS LIGHT BEING ON AFTER ONE SHUT OFF AND RESTART. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON IN OUR VEHICLE NOW AND I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I TRULY HAVE IN MY SUV. IT NOW CAUSES ME TO QUESTION THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE LOVED OUR SANTA FE UP UNTIL THIS POINT AND ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LARGE EXPENSE TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE TREND IN THE SANTA FE'S THAT WERE MADE AROUND THE TIME OF OURS. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND ISSUE THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THE HYUNDAI BRAND RELATED TO A FAULTY PART THAT CAUSES AN EXPENSIVE FIX. AS A MOTHER OF A YOUNG CHILD AND CURRENTLY EXPECTING OUR SECOND CHILD, I AM NOW RECONSIDERING STICKING WITH THE HYUNDAI BRAND FOR FUTURE FAMILY VEHICLES. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT OR IT WILL CERTAINLY CAUSE FAMILIES LIKE MINE TO BUY ANOTHER BRAND GOING FORWARD. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 6, 2014
THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED APP. 2 WEEKS AGO NOT REGISTERING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES OF FILLING THE TANK UP COMPLETLY. 3 DAYS AGO NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON & WOULD NOT GO OUT! I MADE A APPT . WITH THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM FOR TODAY & WAS I EVER SURPRISED AND SHOCKED WHEN THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME THE COST TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENSORS IN THE FUEL TANK THAT IS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CONSTANTLY WAS NORMALY ABOUT $1,200.00, BUT THEY COULD DO IT FOR THE PRICE OF $811.00!! I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE WORK DONE DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON ALL THE TIME I WOUKLD NEVER GET MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE STATE INSPECTION. HYUNDAI MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO RE-CALLS ON THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF!!! & BE FORCED TO RE-IMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE HAD TO SPEND THIS OUTRACOUS SUM OF MONEY TO HAVE OUR VEHICLES REPAIRE DUE TO THERE DEFECTIVE PARTS!! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 6, 2014
AT START UP I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE WAS NOT REGISTERING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT STAYED PEGGED AT ZERO AMOUNT OF FUEL. LATER AND NO IT REGISTERS SOMETIME AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT REGISTERS FULL WITH A FULL TANK AND THEN SINKS TO HALF A TANK AND LATER TO ZERO, HARDLY INDICATING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 4, 2014
THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR. IT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. IT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ON CONSISTENTLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS ARE DEALING WITH PER WEBSITES THAT I HAVE READ. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 29, 2014
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AT TIMES BUT WHEN THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF THE GAUGE WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THEN THE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD WORK OFF AND ON. NOW NEITHER ONE WORKS AT ALL AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE,BUT THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK OUT. MY HUSBAND IS DISABLED AND I HAVE TO TRAVEL A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD AT 430 AM BY MYSELF AND JUST RECENTLY I RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE GOING TO WORK. MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO COME AND GET ME DUE TO HIS DISABILITY SO I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM 430AM TO 630AM WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME . THIS IS THE FIRST HYUNDAI I'VE EVER OWNED AND I WAS VERY SATISFIED UNTIL THIS PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY OR EVEN A FATALITY,BY GRACE OF GOD,BUT THERE VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN ALL THOSE THINGS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COME TO THAT.I HOPE YOU STEP UP TO THE PLATE HYUNDAI AND PROTECT YOUR GOOD NAME WHILE THERE IS TIME TO DO SO. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 25, 2014
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. SHOWED EMPTY AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN FULL. HAD TO ALWAYS ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WAS LEFT IN ORDER NOT TO RUN OUT. IT WAS VERY INCONVENIENT AND I HAD TO FINALLY TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE FIXED TO THE TUNE OF $550. I AGREE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2014
THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN FAULTY SHOWING EMPTY ONLY TO SLOWLY CREEP UP TO THE CORRECT LEVEL OF GAS. IT NOW SHOWS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. FULL TANK, EMPTY TANK, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2014
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AS SOON AS THE 30 DAY WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP EXPIRED, RIGHT AROUND THE 60K MILE MARK IN 2012. WE BEGAN TO SEE THAT THE FUEL GAGE WOULD NOT INDICATE WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS ANY FUEL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO COME ON, AND EVENTUALLY STAY ON. WE BEGAN TO HAVE TO COUNT MILES TO ENSURE WE DIDN'T RUN OUT OF GAS AND BECOME STRANDED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, YET NO RECALL FROM HYUNDAI. THIS YEAR, WE NEED TO HAVE A SMOG CHECK IN ORDER TO RENEW OUR DMV REGISTRATION. WELL, SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY LIT, THE CAR DID NOT PASS THE SMOG CHECK. THE ONLY REASONS LISTED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WERE THE 3 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS: P0463, P0464 AND P2068. SO, NOW WE ARE FORCED TO PAY AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX IT IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION WITH THE DMV. NOT ONLY IS THE UNFAIR, IT IS UNETHICAL FOR HYUNDAI TO NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE, AND NOTHING TO DO WITH THE "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" THAT COMES WITH OWNING A VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2012 UNTIL TODAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014. IF THEY DO NOT ISSUE A RECALL, I WILL BE PURSUING A LAWSUIT AGAINST HYUNDAI FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2014
THE FUEL SENSOR ON MY 2008 SANTA FE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOT REPORTING THE ACTUAL LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT IS ALSO CAUSING THE EMPTY FUEL INDICATOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY LIT ALL THE TIME, SO NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO MANUALLY MEASURE MY FUEL USAGE BY MILES DRIVEN, I ALSO HAVE NO IDEA OF ANY POTENTIAL ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE THAT LIGHT/WARNING SYSTEM HAS EFFECTIVELY BEEN RENDERED USELESS. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS ARE CURRENTLY OFFERING TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT $800.00 AND HAVE THE PARTS READILY ON HAND SINCE THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING SO FREQUENTLY NOW. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE EARLIER SANTA FE MODELS AND CONSIDERING THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF ACCIDENTALLY RUNNING OUT OF FUEL OR HAVING AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND NOT KNOWING IT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 13, 2014
AS IS THE CASE WITH MANY OTHERS FILING COMPLAINTS, WE TOO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN OUR 2008 SANTA FE. IT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON AT ALL TIMES. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS AN EMPTY TANK AT ALL TIMES. WE ARE FORCED TO RELY ON THE TRIP ODOMETER TO KNOW WHEN WE NEED FUEL. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 12, 2014
FUEL GAUGE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 4, 2014
GAS GAUGE WOULD NOT REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. READING ON THIS THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF FAILURES ON THE SANTA FE AROUND THE 72,000 MARK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2014
THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED BOUNCING FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND WE KEEP OUR TANK ABOVE HALF MOST OF THE TIME. WE WENT IN TO OUR LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS "NORMAL" FOR FUEL SENSORS TO GO OUT THIS EARLY. UPON FURTHER PRESSING THEY SAID THAT IT IS HAPPENING ON A LOT OF THE SANTA FE'S, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. 500-600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SENSORS. FOR NOW WE ARE JUST RUNNING IT WHILE FILLING UP EVERY TIME AND KEEPING TRACK OF OUR MILEAGE. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 19, 2014
GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATES, AND READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN TANK IS NEARLY FULL. APPEARS TO BE THE COMMON FUEL SENSOR FAILURE THAT IS WELL-DOCUMENTED ON THESE VEHICLES. ONE FORUM SUGGESTED THAT EVERYONE SHOULD REPORT FAILURES TO NHTSA TO APPLY PRESSURE FOR A HYUNDAI RECALL, SO ADD ME TO THE LIST OF FRUSTRATED OWNERS. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 11, 2014
I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A FLUCTUATING FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. THE SENSOR IS ALWAYS GOING UP AND DOWN CAUSING THE FUEL LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL AS WELL AS THE CK ENGINE LIGHT. THE CODE ALWAYS INDICATES IT IS THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR THAT IS FAILING. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS CAR HAS TWO SENSORS LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEATS. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ME AROUND $700.00 TO GET ONE REPAIRED, BUT WHAT'S THE USE IF THEY REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER HYUNDAI PART THAT IS DEFECTIVE AS DONE TO ANOTHER COMPLAINTANT ON THIS SITE. THIS DEFECT IS OBIVIOUSLY A RESULT OF MANUFACTURING SO WHY DOES HYUNDAI DELAY IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BY DOING A RECALL. THIS IS ALSO THE RESULT OF HYUNDAI NOT TAKING DUE DILIGENCE IN MAKING SURE THEY WERE INSTALLING A QUALITY PART. SO WHY DO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE? *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2014
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID MY FUEL SENSORS TO MY SENDING UNIT NEEDED REPLACED. UPON DOING RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH MY SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR THIS PART TO BE RECALLED? ALSO AFTER BEING REFERRED TO THIS WEBSITE FROM MY LOCAL NEWS STATION I SEE THAT MY COMPLAINT IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINTS ON HERE ALSO. WHY HAS THIS SENSOR NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2014
LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY WHEN IT WAS FULL. IT WOULD JUMP ERRATICALLY FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND IN BETWEEN. COST OVER $550 TO FIX. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2014
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC READ THE CODES AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR (FUEL LEVEL SENDER). SINCE THEN, THE FUEL GAUGE CONTINUOUSLY MOVES GIVING AN INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE HYUNDAI COMPANY IS NOT WILLING TO DO A RECALL ON THE PARTS AFFECTED. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A COMPANY TO RECALL A DEFECTIVE PART? *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 27, 2014
AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK AT THE PUMP AND THEN STARTING THE ENGINE, I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY, WITH THE "LOW FUEL" INDICATOR LIGHT ON. DRIVING AROUND FOR 5 MILES DID NOTHING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE. AFTER A DAY OR SO THE GAUGE SLOWLY WORKED ITS WAY UP TO REGISTER A FULL TANK. THIS SAME PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER 6-8 WEEKS, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WAS ACTUALLY IN THE GAS TANK. AT ONE POINT THE "CHECK ENGINE" INDICATOR CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR A DAY AND A HALF BEFORE TURNING OFF. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE THEY EVEN INSPECTED THE CAR, EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS AND THAT THEY'VE REPLACED "HUNDREDS"..."IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAIS". REPLACING TWO SENSORS COST A JOLTING $650, BUT I COULDN'T IGNORE THE SAFETY RISK OF NEVER KNOWING WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW I MIGHT RUN OUT OF GAS. WHEN I ASKED WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED, THE SALES MANAGER SAID THAT THERE HAS TO BE A "SAFETY ISSUE" INVOLVED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 21, 2014
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE READING CAME BACK AS A BAD FUEL SENSOR. SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YET HYUNDAI IS NOT WILLING TO RECALL. DESPITE TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE I DID ONCE RUN OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION. HYUNDAI KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WHEN THEY INSTALLED THESE, THERE'S NON POINT IN REPLACING IT WITHOUT REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP AS WELL. THIS CAR HAS GIVEN ME MORE ISSUE THAN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE OWNED. FIRST A CYLINDER MISFIRE WHICH WAS A BAD COIL PACK, THEN I HAD TO REPLACE A PURGE VALVE AND NOW THIS. I'M SELLING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ASAP. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 19, 2014
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN THE TANK BEGAN TO FAIL, CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE TO BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. FUEL LEVELS WOULD SWING WILDLY FROM FULL TO EMPTY. THE CEL WAS THROWN, BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED. WITHOUT A CEL TO WARN OF A PROBLEM, THE DRIVER MAY THINK THEY HAVE FUEL WHEN THEY DO NOT AND POTENTIALLY RUN OUT OF GAS. THIS WOULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE'VE SPOKEN WITH HYUNDAI AND THIS IS NOT A RECALL OR EVEN A TSB ISSUE, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AMONG OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 14, 2014
MY 2008 GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY OR READING THE CORRECT LEVELS OF FUEL. WHEN I FILL THE TANK UP, THE LOW LEVEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND STAYS ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DRIVING (FEW DAYS), BOTH LIGHTS WILL GO OFF AND GAS GAUGE WORKS PROPERLY. AROUND THE HALF TANK MARK, THE INDICATOR LIGHT COMES BACK ON SHOWING EMPTY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY QUOTED NEARLY $800 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, THERE IS NO RECALL??? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR