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
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 30, 2014
6/25/14, ON INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL AT 65MPH. DEPRESSED THE THROTTLE PEDAL TO PASS A VEHICLE. THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN. APPLIED BRAKES BUT KEPT ON INCREASING SPEED. DEPRESSED THROTTLE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO CHANGE. TURNED CRUISE CONTROL OFF, NO CHANGE. TURNED KEY TO ACC AND THEN BACK TO ON BUT NO CHANGE. TURNED KEY TO ACC AND WAITED SEVERAL SECONDS THEN BACK ON. THROTTLE PEDAL STARTED TO RESPOND. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED IF FLOOR MAT WAS JAMMING THROTTLE PEDAL. NO PROBLEM, NO JAMMING. PROBLEM REPEATED AGAIN. CONTINUED TO DESTINATION AND TRIED CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT WOULD NOT SET. TURNED CRUISE CONTROL OFF. SUV WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AT DESTINATION. ON RETURN TRIP THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL WORKED FINE. 6/30/14, TOOK SUV TO RAY BRANDT HYUNDAI, THEY FOUND NO CODES SET AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS IF BOTH THE THROTTLE IS WIDE OPEN AND THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED THEN A CODE SHOULD BE SET.THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM! THE SITE BELOW DOCUMENTS 3 ADDITIONAL OCCURRENCES: HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HYUNDAI/SANTAFE/2008/ACCELERATOR-STUCK-PROBLEMS.PHP. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 6, 2014
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO BE DIAGNOSED AND IT IS A FAILURE OF THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. APPARENTLY HYUNDAI IS WELL AWARE OF THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS ONLY SOLD TOGETHER, THEREFORE THIS IS A FIX THAT WILL COST AT LEAST $800 WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. SO NOW I JUST HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES, HAVING NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE OR IF ANY OTHER ENGINE ISSUES HAVE COME UP. SHAME ON HYUNDAI. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 4, 2014
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I GOT IT CHECKED IT WAS FOR FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. I ALSO NOTICED SHORTLY AFTER I FILLED UP WITH GAS THE GAUGE WOULD GO DOWN AND WHEN 1/2 OR LESS IT WOULD DROP AND GAS LIGHT WOULD COME ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WHILE I WAS PULLED INTO SERVICE CENTER, CAR STOPPED AND RUNNING, SERVICE TECH SAW GAS GAUGE GO DOWN AND LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH I HAD AT LEAST 3/4 GAS. NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND QUOTED ME $605 TO FIX. SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE SO MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 4, 2014
THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK IT WORKS FINE BUT WHEN ITS ABOUT HALF A TANK, THE LOW FUEL LIGHT TURNS ON AND GAUGE READS EMPTY. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 3, 2014
FUEL GAUGE AND FUEL SENSOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE GAUGE REGISTERS LESS FUEL THAN IS IN THE TANK. THE GAUGE WILL INDICATE THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY WHEN THERE'S MORE THAN 1/2 A TANK LEFT, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE ISSUE OCCURS SPORADICALLY. IT WILL REGISTER A FALSE READING FOR SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITH THE WARNING LIGHT ON EVEN AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, AND THEN SOME DAYS IT WILL SELF CORRECT AND THE WARNING LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 26, 2014
OK SO MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR MONTHS NOW DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. I WENT TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY QOUTED ME A PRICE OF 800 DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL CONSIDERING THAT SO MANY OF THERE CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. IT'S SAD THAT THEY WOULD MUCH RATHER WAIT TIL SOMEONE DIES OR CRASH TO RECALL THIS ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2014
THE 2008 SANTA FE TRAVELING BETWEEN 55& 60MPH ON DIVIDED HIGHWAY WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF ACCELERATOR. I APPLIED BRAKES BUT DIFFICULT TO MAKE VEHICLE STOP. I THINK I SLOWED IT DOWN A LOT BUT DID NOT OR WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. IT WAS LIKE IDLE GOT STUCK ON HIGH! AFTER 20 SECONDS OR SO THE ACCELERATION RETURNED TO NORMAL & I PROCEEDED. IT WAS SCARY ! FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. I JUST HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE TO REPLACE TO HEADLIGHTS & MISSING SCREW UNDER FRONT SEAT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 15, 2014
FUEL GAUGE ON OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS RECENTLY BECOME ERRATIC. IT FLUCTUATES WIDELY OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW MINUTES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE (ON/OFF) AND LOW FUEL INDICATORS ALSO LIGHTING PERIODICALLY. AFTER HAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM INVESTIGATED, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. APPARENTLY HIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON 2007 - 2009 SANTA FE'S WITH HYUNDAI AND DEALERSHIPS VIA HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2008/HYUNDAI/SANTA+FE/FUEL+SYSTEM SITUATION IS NOT SAFE IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE (NEW TO PROBLEM) WHEN THEIR FUEL MAY BE LOW, THEY MAY BE DRIVING ALONG AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY OR THEY MAY BE IN A REMOTE AREA. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND HAVE HYUNDAI ISSUE A RECALL! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 14, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT HAS BEEN GIVING A FALSE READING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. THE FUEL HAND SHOWS THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I JUST FILLED IT UP. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL SOMETIMES GO UP AND DOWN DEPENDING ON HOW MY VEHICLE IS SETTING AT THE TIME, BUT THEN GOES BELOW EMPTY. IT WILL NOT REGISTER A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE MOST IT WILL SHOW IS A 3/4 OF A TANK. AT FIRST THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF, NOW IT IS LIT ALL THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL BY HYUNDAI. . *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 18, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT HAS BEEN GIVING A FALSE READING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. THE FUEL HAND SHOWS THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I JUST FILLED IT UP. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL SOMETIMES GO UP AND DOWN DEPENDING ON HOW MY VEHICLE IS SETTING AT THE TIME, BUT THEN GOES BELOW EMPTY. IT WILL NOT REGISTER A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE MOST IT WILL SHOW IS A 3/4 OF A TANK. AT FIRST THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF, NOW IT IS LIT ALL THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL BY HYUNDAI. . *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY CORRECT FUEL LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 18, 2014
IN JULY OF 2012 OUR 2008 SANTA FE BEGAN TO SHOW FALSE READINGS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL PRESENT IN THE TANK. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP IN COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA THAT THEY WERE AWARE OR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH GAS GAUGES IN SANTA FES. WAS TOLD THE FIX WOULD BE AROUND $800 OR WE COULD MONITOR FUEL CONSUMPTION/LEVEL USING TRIP ODOMETER. THE PROBLEM WITH USING THE TRIP METER IS THAT VARYING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE THIS ESTIMATION TO BE COMPLETELY INACCURATE CAUSING THE MOTORIST TO BE STRANDED ON THE ROADWAY. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING ERRONEOUS FUEL LEVEL READINGS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENOR CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WAS PROVIDING ERRONEOUS FUEL LEVEL READINGS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENOR CIRCUIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 6, 2014
GAS GAUGE AND DIGITAL DISPLAY SHOW EMPTY WHEN THE CAR HAS JUST BEEN FILLED WITH FUEL. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE LATER IN THE DAY, THE GAUGE SHOWS 1/2 TANK AND THE DIGITAL DISPLAY READS 70 MILES. I PUT 15.5 GALLONS OF GAS IN AND SHOULD HAVE A FULL TANK AND OVER 270 MILES. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 3, 2014
MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR IS FLUCTUATING CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WOULD INDICATED AND EMPTY TANK AFTER THE TANK WAS FILLED AND THEN RANDOMLY WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 7, 2013
THE FUEL GAUGE ON DASH HAS BEGUN FLUCTUATING WILDLY EVEN WITH FULL TANK OF GAS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT YET BUT BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ I AM ANTICIPATING A PROBLEM CODE COMING SOON. MY RESEARCH IS POINTING TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ATTACHED TO THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, ONLY THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY APPEARS TO BE AVAILABLE AND AS SUCH, IT IS HIGHLY COSTLY TO CORRECT. HYUNDAI SHOULD PROVIDE A RECALL FOR THIS DUE TO THE HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS ALSO BEEN NOTED THAT THIS HAS CAUSED VEHICLES TO STALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY - THIS HASN'T HAPPENED TO ME YET BUT CERTAINLY INCREASES MY CONCERN. *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 5, 2013
UPON TURNING THE ENGINE ON, MY GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY WHEN I KNEW THERE WAS MORE GAS THAN THAT. THEN IT STARTED TO FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN . I CHECKED MY RANGE INDICATOR AND IT WAS BLINKING THE WORD "RANGE" (WHICH NORMALLY DOESN'T) AND THE NUMBERS WERE DASHES ONLY. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT SHOWED QUARTER TANK THEN EMPTY AND BACK TO SOME GAS. THE RANGE INDICATOR STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN IN NUMBERS AS WELL. I PUT GAS IN JUST TO SEE IF IT HELPED BUT DIDN'T, SHOWING ABOUT 30 MILES FLUCTUATION IN THE RANGE INDICATOR. I CHECKED SOME FORUMS AND APPARENTLY IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR SANTA FES 2008 RIGHT AS THEY REACH 60,000 MILES (AS THE WARRANTIES END AND IT COSTS OVER $600 TO REPAIR!). IT IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL , AS IT POSES A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IF A CAR RUNS OUT OF GAS ON A HIGHWAY OR ANYWHERE DUE TO THE FAULTY GAS FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 4, 2013
DRIVING FROM MY WIFE'S WORK ALL THE SUDDEN THE GAS LEVEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE GAS TANK WAS 3/4 FULL. DROVE 1/2 A MILE AND IT MARKED 1/2 A TANK, STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, WENT TO EMPTY AGAIN IS BEEN DOING IT FORM THAT DAY ON. AFTER TAKING CAR DEALER I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR IS ROUGHLY $680.00 . THIS IS MY 3RD SANTA FE THAT I PURCHASED 2001 2004 & 2008 AND I ONLY ENCOUNTERED SUCH PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 I HAVE SEEN VARIOUS COMPLAINS ON SUCH " PROBLEM" AND WHY IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A "RECALL" BUT THE MANUFACTURER SEEMS IGNORE IT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2013
I OWN A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 40000 MILES THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE AND IS MOSTLY READS THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY. IT COST ABOUT $650 TO REPLACE . MY OPINION IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. IT ALSO CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2013
I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN TO MOVE UP AND DOWN, SHOWING EMPTY, THEN OVER HALF FULL, THEN JUST UNDER HALF. I SWITCHED TO THE MODE INDICATING HOW MANY MILES LEFT UNTIL I WOULD BE OUT OF GAS, WHICH ALSO FLUCTUATED BY OVER 75 MILES. THIS FLUCTUATION IS CONSISTENT AND NOW IS BECOMING A BIG CONCERN IN REGARDS TO LONGER TRIPS MY YOUNG FAMILY TAKES. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BASED ON THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ABOUT THIS SAME MALFUNCTION. SHOULD MY FAMILY BE STRANDED ON A ROADSIDE, OR WORSE YET, GET INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, HYUNDAI WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR NEGLIGENCE ON THEIR PART TO ACT ON A KNOWN VEHICLE DEFECT. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 8, 2013
OUR USED SANTA FE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED ON APRIL 28TH, 2013. A MONTH LATER, THE FUEL GAUGE AND MILEAGE REPORTING STARTED TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY, AND FOR THE PAST MONTH WE'VE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE FUEL SENSOR ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY. THE ACCURATE REPORTING OF THE FUEL LEVEL IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE AND IT IS CLEAR TO US THAT THIS WILL BE AT LEAST A $600 REPAIR JOB. HYUNDAI DEFLECTED OUR E-MAILS TO THEM, SO I ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO ALSO WRITE A LETTER TO THEM BY POSTAL MAIL. THE ADDRESS THEY GAVE US IS HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA P. O. BOX 20850 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92728-0850. IT IS RIDICULOUS TIMING THAT THIS OCCURS AFTER AN EXPENSIVE MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT AND RIGHT AFTER THE SECOND-OWNER WARRANTY EXPIRED. A SYSTEM LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL WITH ONLY 44K MILES ON A VEHICLE, AND HYUNDAI CAN'T CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, AND OWNERS WHO HAVE GONE AHEAD AND DONE THIS REPAIR FOR EXORBITANT FEES NEED TO BE REIMBURSED. IN RECENT NEWS, ASIANA AIRLINES REPRESENTED THE HONOR AND INTEGRITY OF KOREAN CORPORATE CULTURE, I'D EXPECT THE SAME FROM HYUNDAI WHO HAS THUS FAR FAILED IN THEIR DUTY TO THE CUSTOMER. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2013
ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP. FUEL GAUGE WILL GO BELOW 'E' TO 1/2 TANK IN SECONDS. SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON, THE GAUGE IS BELOW 'E' AND WILL STAY THERE FOR A WHILE THEN GO BACK UP TO GAS LEVEL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON SAYING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. CLEARED CODE. IT STAYED OFF FOR WEEK OR SO, AND HAS COME BACK ON. I HOPE THIS BECOMES A RECALL...TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! *TR
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 2, 2013
AS NOTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF FUEL, IT FLUCTUATES FROM EMPTY TO A 1/4 TANK TO 3/4 TANK. THE FUEL SENSORS ARE BAD. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BASED ON NHTSA COMPLAINTS BUT YET IT APPEARS THAT HYUNDAI WILL NOT TAKE ACTION. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN RIGHT AFTER I HIT THE 60,000 MILE MARK. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2013
FUEL GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY FLUCTUATES FROM EMPTY TO 1/4 TANK. DIGITAL DISPLAY ALSO NOT REGISTERING. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF THIS, NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST IT SHOWED FUEL SENSORS NOT WORKING. GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING AT ALL AT THIS POINT, BECOMING QUITE A CONCERN BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT AND FINDING THAT WE ARE FILLING IT UP EVERY OTHER DAY JUST TO BE SAFE! *TR