CarModelProblems.com

2008 Hyundai Santa FE Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel/propulsion System — runs 7.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
541Complaints
6Recalls
17Crashes
7Fires
12Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Fuel/propulsion System (39.7% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Fuel/propulsion System complaints here are 7.7× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Fuel/propulsion System215 · 39.7%No official action
Electrical System70 · 12.9%No official action
Engine60 · 11.1%No official action
Fuel System, Gasoline57 · 10.5%No official action
Vehicle Speed Control50 · 9.2%Investigation closedDP21003
Air Bags49 · 9.1%RecalledRecall 12V354000 · Recall 11V472000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE60 · 11.1%
AIR BAGS49 · 9.1%
POWER TRAIN22 · 4.1%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL19 · 3.5%
Unspecified / other19 · 3.5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)16 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 541 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 12V354000 · 2012 · reported 07/25/2012

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · 2013 · reported 04/01/2013

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 11V472000 · 2011 · reported 09/09/2011

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Trailer Hitches

NHTSA campaign 08E016000 · 2008 · reported 02/07/2008

EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER AREA AND MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Trailer Hitches

NHTSA campaign 08E055000 · 2008 · reported 09/03/2008

A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO THE CONVERTER MODULE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 08V272000 · 2008 · reported 06/19/2008

OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10512762 — filed 05/20/2013 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10510618 — filed 05/04/2013 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES AND ALSO CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON AN OFF.”NHTSA complaint 10509371 — filed 04/24/2013 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

19201267127201495742016604120183524202010102022101620241652026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE?

Fuel/propulsion system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 215 of 541 NHTSA complaints (39.7%), followed by electrical system (70), engine (60), fuel system, gasoline (57). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE have?

541 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 12V354000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.