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, May 4, 2013
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND GOING OFF. WHAT I NOTICED WAS THAT IT WAS IN CONJUNCTION WITH MY GAS GAUGE INDICATING THAT I HAD NO FUEL (LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAUGE WAS ON E) EVEN AFTER I HAD FILLED THE TANK. THE SITUATION SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF UNTIL THIS WEEK- NOT ONLY DID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON, BUT THE GAUGE CONTINUED TO INDICATE THAT I HAD NO FUEL. EVEN MORE WORRISOME WAS THE FACT THAT WHEN I WENT TO PUT FUEL IN THE TANK, THE GAS PUMP CUT OFF (INDICATING THAT THE TANK WAS FULL) AFTER 3 GALLONS OF GAS. I KNEW THAT IT SHOULD TAKE MORE THAN 3 GALLONS TO FILL MY TANK, AND SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. DIAGNOSIS: BOTH FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED.... TO THE TUNE OF $650 WORTH OF PARTS/LABOR. I WAS ADVISED THAT FUEL SENSORS ARE NOT USUALLY FAULTY, AND SO CAME TO THIS WEBSITE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE THAT I MAY HAVE MISSED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 24, 2013
THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES AND ALSO CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON AN OFF. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2013
FUEL GAUGE SHOWS DIFFERENT MEASUREMENTS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. FULL TANK OF GAS MAY SHOW ON THE GAUGE AS EMPTY. THE NEXT TIME MAY SHOW 1/2 A TANK OF GAS. HAVE TO TRACK MILEAGE TO KNOW WHEN TO GAS UP. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2013
OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS OR SO MY FUEL GAUGE KEEPS FLUCTUATING DRASTICALLY. IT STARTED ONCE I HIT APPROX 62,000 MILES. IT IS OFTEN INACCURATE AND FREQUENTLY DROPS 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 TANK FOR NO REASON. I CANNOT TRUST IT AT ALL. ITS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I COULD RUN OUT OF GAS AT ANY POINT WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT'S TRULY IN THE TANK. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IS TO TRACK THE MILEAGE WHICH BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT IF MORE THAN ONE PERSON IS DRIVING THE CAR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 15, 2013
THE FUEL GUAGE INCLUDING RANGE AND MILEAGE FEATURES ARE ERRATIC AND CREATE A FALSE READING ON THE ODOMETER DASH READINGS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I CAN NOT TELL WHAT THE TRUE AMOUNT OF FUEL IS LEFT IN THE SUV. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH HYUNDAI CORP. HAS KNOWN ABOUT AND REFUSES TO ANNOUNCE A RECALL. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 8, 2013
AT ABOUT 62,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO ACT ERRATICALLY. IT WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS IN THE TANK. FINALLY, IT READS EMPTY ALL OF THE TIME AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. I WAS QUOTED UPWARDS OF $800 FROM FUCILLO HYUNDAI OF SYRACUSE NY. NOW I HAVE TO RELY ON THE TRIP ODOMETER TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL I HAVE. THIS ISN'T SO MUCH FUN WITH 3 CHILDREN ON BOARD. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2009. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2013, THE FUEL GAUGE IS WORKING OFF AND ON. WHEN I FILL MY TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING FOR DAYS. EVERYTIME THE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE TO RELY ON MILEAGE TO DETERMINE FUEL USAGE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 25, 2013
FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE TRAVELING 65 MPH, MY SANTE FE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SHUT DOWN ALMOST CAUSING A MULTICAR ACCIDENT. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 4, 2013
THE FUEL GAUGE ON OUR '08 HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAS RECENTLY BECOME ERRATIC. IT FLUCTUATES WIDELY (25-50%) OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW MINUTES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND LOW FUEL INDICATORS ALSO PERIODICALLY LIGHTING. IT HAS BECOME SO UNRELIABLE THAT WE ARE NOW RELYING ON THE ODOMETER READINGS TO ESTIMATE FUEL LEVELS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND RELATES TO WEAK PINS IN THE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED FUEL SENDERS. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS THAT THE APPARENT PROBLEM IS FIXED IN THE REPLACEMENT PART (VISIBLY LARGER PINS) WHICH MAKES ME QUESTION WHY THE COMPANY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING A CLEARLY DEFECTIVE PART. OUR VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2013
I TURNED ON THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE WAS SHOWING EMPTY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON - I HAD JUST FILLED THE TANK UP THAT MORNING SO I KNEW I HAD PLENTY OF GAS. THE RANGE INDICATOR WAS JUST DASHES -NOT NUMERIC AS IT SHOULD BE. THE GAUGE THEN WOULD RISE UP AND THE RANGE WOULD CHANGE AND THEN IT WOULD GO DOWN AND THE RANGE WOULD CHANGE - THIS CONTINUALLY HAPPENED. I WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID TO ZERO OUT THE ERROR AND KEEP AN EYE ON IT. THE NEXT MORNING THE SAME THING. NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING AND IT WILL COST BETWEEN 600-700 TO FIX THIS! I TOO HAVE READ ON MANY WEBSITES THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT OCCURS BETWEEN THE 60K - 70K MILEAGE RANGE AND THE PARTS GUY AT HEALEY HYUNDAI IN BEACON, NY TOLD ME - OH YEAH WE ARE GETTING TONS OF THESE COMPLAINTS, THAT IS WHY WE STOCK THIS ITEM! IF HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, WHY AREN'T THEY RECALLING THESE VEHICLES? ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO NOT BE AWARE OF THEIR ACTUAL GAS GAUGE AND HAVE THEIR CAR STALL OUT AT 55 MILES AN HOUR?? COME ON HYUNDAI - WE ARE LOYAL BRAND BUYERS AND THIS IS OUR 4TH HYUNDAI (SECOND SANTA FE) DON'T BECOME LIKE THE REST OF THE CAR COMPANIES AND NOT GIVE A [XXX] - FIX YOUR PROBLEMS AND YOUR CONSUMERS WILL STAND BY YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 14, 2013
WE RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES IT READS EMPTY AFTER WE JUST FILLED THE TANK. IN ADDITION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $580. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, NUMEROUS 2008 (AS WELL AS OTHER YEARS) HYUNDAI SANTE FE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY ENDS (60,000 MILES). I BELIEVE HYUNDAI KNOWS THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THESE CARS ARE IN FACT INFERIOR AND WILL FAIL AFTER 60,000 MILES. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 2, 2012
THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FLUCTUATION FROM 1/4 TANK TO EMPTY THEN BACK UP AGAIN. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AFTER SOME TIME, AUTOMATICALLY TURNED OFF ONLY TO TURN BACK ON INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER HAVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM INVESTIGATED, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM AND IT WOULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED WHENEVER THE FUEL VEHICLE WAS BEING FILLED WITH FUEL THE GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE FULL IT ONLY SHOWS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE TWO DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE COMPUTER THAT OPERATE THE FUEL GAUGE. THE DEALER STATED THE REPAIR COST WAS $800. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 22, 2012
THE GAS GAUGE START ACTING FUNNY AND DID DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT READING, AFTER DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM, WE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY A PART CALLED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CKT INTERMITTENT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR SANTA FE OWNERS AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPANIES ONLINE INVOLVING THE SECOND GENERATION OF THIS HYUNDAI 2007 AND 2008. THIS ISSUE WILL COST $600 TO $700 TO REPAIR , WHICH HYUNDAI SHOW TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR IDENTIFYING AND CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE WRONG GAS READING, THE VEHICLE MAY STOP SUDDENLY IF THERE WAS NO FUEL AND THE GAUGE IS READING WRONG. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM ONE READING TO ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDS GAS ON A DAILY BASIS. THE MILEAGE RANGE FAILS TO SHOW; WHEREAS IT JUST BLINKS. THE VEHICLE BURNS FUEL. UPDATED 11/19/2012 *JS