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
541 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 10, 2016
OUR GAS GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY, AND THE FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON, ALL THE TIME. THIS OCCURS EVEN AFTER WE FILL THE CAR UP. THIS OCCURS WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR RUNNING. WE HAVE TO TRACK OUR FUEL LEVEL BY KEEPING TRACK OF THE MILEAGE. ALSO, IF WE TURN THE CAR OFF WHEN FUELING, IT WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. WE HAVE TO TRY OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL IT TURNS ON. WE HAVE FOUND THAT IF WE LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING WHILE FUELING, IT USUALLY STAYS RUNNING; HOWEVER, A LOT OF TIMES, THE CAR STOPS RUNNING AND THEN, WE STRUGGLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. THIS IS OUR 2ND SANTA FE (OUR FIRST WAS A 2004, WITH WHICH WE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM). IF HYUNDAI DOESN'T DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THIS WILL BE OUR LAST HYUNDAI. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON MANY LEVELS, AND AS WE ALL CAN SEE, THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 350 OTHER 2008 SANTA FE OWNERS WHO HAVE POSTED ON THIS SITE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT, AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ALSO, I NOTICED SOMEONE ELSE MENTIONED THEY CHANGE LOW BEAMS ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. WE TOO, ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE CHANGED MORE HEADLAMPS IN THIS CAR THAN WE HAVE IN ALL OF OUR CARS COMBINED OVER 40 YEARS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2016
FUEL GUAGE SHOWS FALSE READING, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN TANK IS FILLED AND SHOWS EMPTY READING. GUAGE WILL START RISING AFTER MANY MILES (ONE HUNDRED OR MORE). FUEL GUAGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY. CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN FILLING, BUT GIVING FALSE READINGS WHEN MOVING ANYWHERE. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF GAS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE ROUTINELY INSPECTED FOR EMISSIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DETAILS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,129.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 30, 2016
ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES. CAR LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 4, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET (APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH), MY CAR SUDDENLY DISPLAYED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AS WELL AS THE "ECS OFF" INDICATOR AND AT THAT SAME TIME, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND MY CAR SLOWED TO A STOP. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED WITH THE SAME RESULTS. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE "ECS" INDICATOR WAS NO LONGER LIT, BUT THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT REMAINED ON UNTIL THE DECELERATION OCCURRED AGAIN AND THEN BOTH LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES SO I THOUGHT IT WAS BEST TO FILE A COMPLAINT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 16, 2016
IN JULY/AUG OF 2015 MY GAS GAUGE AND MILES-TO-EMPTY INDICATOR STARTED GOING CRAZY. I WOULD FILL THE TANK WITH GAS BUT THE GAUGE READ EMPTY. WHILE DRIVING, THE MILES-TO-EMPTY INDICATOR WOULD CONSTANTLY, RAPIDLY CHANGE FROM 200 TO 40 TO 68 TO 113 TO WHATEVER SO I COULDN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I HAD LEFT. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT HYUNDAI ON AUG 8, 2015 AND ASKED THEM TO ALSO LOOK AT THE GAS GAUGE. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON AT THE END OF NOVEMBER 2015 SO I TOOK THE CAR IN 12/10/15, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE TWO FUEL SENSORS IN THE GAS TANK. WHEN THE PROBLEM INITIALLY STARTED, I HAD ABOUT 64000 MILES ON THE CAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2016
LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, MY FUEL GAUGE IS COMPLETELY NON FUNCTIONAL. I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND NOW JUST FILL THE CAR UP WEEKLY TO AVOID ISSUES. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ENGINEERING ISSUE GIVEN THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH IT OCCURS IN THIS VEHICLE.
Suspension, Air bags, Jul 5, 2016
HYUNDAI DEALER SAID MY BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, $750.00 FOR REPAIRS, HYUNDAI HAS RECALL I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. DRIVERS AIR BAG ILLUMINATED, GOING IN FOR REPAIR FRIDAY COST UNKNOWN. AGAIN I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT RECALL. I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT RECALLS.
Suspension, Jun 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND WHEEL BEARING SEIZED AND WERE UNUSUALLY WORN. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE TIRES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,644.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 21, 2016
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS IN THIS CAR HAVE FAILED. REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE READS THAT THERE IS NO FUEL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS "ON" AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAN LEAD TO A SITUATION WHERE THE DRIVER RUNS OUT OF FUEL (SINCE THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE) AND THE CAR STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THAT HAS NOT YET HAPPENED TO ME, BUT IT COULD. BASED ON A SHORT INTERNET SEARCH FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE, AND DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE ON THE NHTSA SITE THAT THIS COMMON PROBLEM HAS LED TO A RECALL, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 20, 2016
WHEN I AM DRIVING, BOTH FREEWAY AND CITY DRIVING, THE CAR WILL STUTTER SLIGHTLY AND THEN THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I LOSE ACCELERATION AND HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN MY CAR OFF, WAIT A MINUTE OR TWO, AND THEN RESTART THE CAR. THE ESC OFF LIGHT GOES AWAY AND I ONCE AGAIN HAVE ACCELERATION BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. THE PROBLEM OFTEN REPEATS ITSELF DURING THE SAME TRIP, SOMETIMES 30 MINUTES LATER, SOMETIMES JUST 2 MINUTES LATER. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS REPLACED DURING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V122 WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING. A FEW MONTHS AGO THIS STARTED AGAIN, IT IS ALL THE SAME ISSUES AS I HAD BEFORE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH WAS REPLACED DURING THE LAST RECALL. BECAUSE I LOSE ACCELERATION WITH NO WARNING AND QUICKLY FALL TO 20MPH AND BELOW, I HAVE TO QUICKLY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DO MY BEST TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT WHICH IS DIFFICULT WHEN YOU ARE LOSING MOMENTUM.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 20, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO DISENGAGE AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND A BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE IDLING FOR AWHILE AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNITS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 7, 2016
2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN DRIVER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE THAT SPLIT IN HALF. ALSO, WATER SOLVENT CONTAINER SPLIT DUE TO COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES. CONSUMER UNABLE TO ADD WASHER FLUID. *SMD
Air bags, Jun 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 2, 2016
THIS PERTAINS TO REPAIR COST OF $850.56 FOR MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE FUEL GAUGE THAT WAS NOT READING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE PERTAINS TO MANUFACTURE'S DEFECT AND HYUNDAI SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, MY HYUNDAI ONLY HAS ABOUT 58,360 MILES TO HAVE A MAJOR REPAIR COST OF $850.56.
Exterior lighting, Engine, May 20, 2016
AFTER 141,000 MILES THE ENGINE THREW A ROD, I HAD HEARD A CLICKING NOISE FOR A WHILE BUT WAS ASSURED IT WAS A NORMAL ENGINE SOUND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. I CHANGE MY OIL REGULARLY AND HAVE MY SLIPS, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF I AM HAVING TO REPLACE APPROXIMATELY ONE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP PER MONTH.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2016
FUEL GAUGE HAS FAILED, LEAVING NO INDICATION OF FUEL REMAINING IN VEHICLE. COULD CAUSE CRASH DUE TO VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 29, 2016
MY CHECK ENGINE WILL COME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WILL MOVE ERRATICALLY. I CAN GO PUT GAS IN THE CAR AND IT WILL STILL SAY EMPTY. I DO NOT KNOW IF I NEED GAS OR NOT. VERY UNSAFE WHEN TRAVELLING WITH KIDS. I KEEP PITTING GAS IN BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I'LL RUN OUT. HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND IT SHOWED THE REASON WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON IS BECAUSE OF THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. REAL PAIN. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE IT CAUSES SERIOUS BODILY HARM TO SOMEONE. THE VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION IT DOESN'T MATTER IT WILL STILL GO HAYWIRE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 20, 2016
AT 140,000 MILES, THE FUEL SENSOR FAILS TO SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE INDICATOR MOVES FROM HALF TO EMPTY IN AN INSTANT. AFTER RE-CRANKING AND DRIVING A BIT, THE FUEL NEEDLE WILL THEN SLOWLY RETURN TO SHOWING UNDER HALF A TANK. THE RANGE INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE THE CORRECT RANGE DUE TO FAULTY SENSOR. I HAVE TO WATCH THE TRIP MILEAGE TO KNOW THE AMOUNT OF FUEL I HAVE. ALL PROBLEMS START AT ABOUT A 1/2 TANK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. CALLING DEALER BUT I KNOW THE ANSWER AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS. I DON'T REALLY HAVE THE $$$ TO FIX.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 10, 2016
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED AT AROUND 55,000 MILES,WHICH RESULTED IN THE DRIVER BEING UNABLE TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE TANK. FUEL TRANSFER UNIT AND FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 10, 2016
I HAD MY SANTA FE SERVICED ON 04/05/16 FOR FUEL GAUGE SENSOR,WAS NOT READING APPROPRIATE GAS LEVEL. I HAVE ONLY 72000MILES AND SOMTHING LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.I WAS TOLD THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR,WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE.WE OWNED 8 CARS BEFORE SANT FE AND IT NEVER HAPPENED. IT IS A SPENDY REPAIR OF $388.99 MARTA
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 10, 2016
DEFECTIVE FUEL SENSOR. DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FUEL GAUGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING ERRATICALLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TO STOP DUE TO UNSURE IF I HAD A FUEL LEAK OR IF SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN TO THE ENGINE. AFTER CHECKING THERE WAS NO LEAK I CONTINUED HOME EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND FUEL GAUGE SHOWED NO GAS. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND YEAR OF VEHICLE. IN NEW YORK STATE MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. REPAIRS COST ME OVER $800. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES. I FEEL HYUNDAI SHOULD COMPENSATE THE CONSUMER FOR AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WHEN THEY HAVE TO MAKE A REPAIR THAT IS NOT RELATED TO WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE APPROX 60MPH ON HWY 277 WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF.
Air bags, Apr 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.