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2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Santa Fe years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe are substantially higher than the model-year median of 212.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

461 reports with mileage · 80 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 215 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports7 fire reports11 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

215 reports
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80,000 miles · Feb 26, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS GAUGE SENSOR NOT READING LEVEL OF GAS IN THE CAR. ONLINE I READ MANY OTHERS WITH THE SANTE FE, ESPECIALLY 2007-2008 YEAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. I ONLY HAVE 80, 000 MILES AND IT IS NOT READING THE APPROPRIATE GAS LEVEL AND FLUCTUATES. THE GAS ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND A MECHANIC READ THE CODE THAT IT IS THE GAS GAUGE SENSOR. I HAVE …

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GAS GAUGE SENSOR NOT READING LEVEL OF GAS IN THE CAR. ONLINE I READ MANY OTHERS WITH THE SANTE FE, ESPECIALLY 2007-2008 YEAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. I ONLY HAVE 80, 000 MILES AND IT IS NOT READING THE APPROPRIATE GAS LEVEL AND FLUCTUATES. THE GAS ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND A MECHANIC READ THE CODE THAT IT IS THE GAS GAUGE SENSOR. I HAVE READ ACCOUNTS ONLINE OF THE CAR READING GAS AT ZERO AND TURNING THE CAR OFF. I AM NOW TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR AND HAVE FILLED THE GAS UP EVERY DAY. THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. WHEN THE MECHANIC WIPED OUT THE CODE I FILLED UP THE TANK AND THE NEXT DAY DROVE OVER AN HOUR AND THEN THE GAS READ JUST ABOVE HALF FULL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED A RECALL WHEN IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CAR JUST SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED?

NHTSA ODI #10838624

94,000 miles · Feb 24, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN AND NO AMOUNT OF BRAKING COULD BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. AT THE TIME I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH AND THE CAR SHOT TO 70MPH. FINALLY AFTER PUMPING BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES THE PEDAL POPPED UP WITH AN AUDIBLE SOUND. HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY AS WELL SAME THIN…

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WHEN I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN AND NO AMOUNT OF BRAKING COULD BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. AT THE TIME I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH AND THE CAR SHOT TO 70MPH. FINALLY AFTER PUMPING BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES THE PEDAL POPPED UP WITH AN AUDIBLE SOUND. HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY AS WELL SAME THING. I HAVE READ THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IS THE CULPRIT AND THE DEALERSHIPS CITE DRIVER ERROR, AND FLOOR MATS, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS TOLD. I AM ATTACHING A LETTER SENT TO HYUNDAI AND THE NHTSA. HAPPEND THE FOLLOWING DAY AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10837957

111,000 miles · Feb 19, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME STAYS ON AND THEN SHUTS OFF. MY GAS GAUGE KEEPS MOVING UP AND DOWN. ONCE I FILL MY GAS TANK COMPLETELY THE GAS WILL SHOW FILLED AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND THEN WITHIN AN HOUR THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT COMES ON SHOWING THE CAR AS EMPTY. THEN WITHIN …

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MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME STAYS ON AND THEN SHUTS OFF. MY GAS GAUGE KEEPS MOVING UP AND DOWN. ONCE I FILL MY GAS TANK COMPLETELY THE GAS WILL SHOW FILLED AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AND THEN WITHIN AN HOUR THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL LIGHT COMES ON SHOWING THE CAR AS EMPTY. THEN WITHIN 20 MINUTES THE GAS GAUGE WILL MOVE BACK UP AND THE GAS GAUGE WILL SHUT OFF BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS WILL HAPPEN CONSTANTLY WITH THE GAS GAUGE GOING UP AND DOWN.THIS OCCURS WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION ON CITY STREET OR EXPRESSWAY. MY MECHANIC BASICALLY TOLD ME IT'S THE GAS GAUGE BUT HE IS STILL INVESTIGATING.

NHTSA ODI #10837249

130,000 miles · Feb 4, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK MISREAD THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING FILLED COMPLETELY AND COULD ONLY BE FILLED UP TO FIVE GALLONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK MISREAD THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK WAS INCAPABLE OF BEING FILLED COMPLETELY AND COULD ONLY BE FILLED UP TO FIVE GALLONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10824321

78,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, 78K MILES. FUEL GAGE READING STARTING BOUNCING AROUND. SHOWED HALF FULL ON A FRESHLY FILLED TANK. EVENTUALLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ERROR CODE P0464 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR 'A' ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME.). FUEL SENSORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. AN INACCURATE FUE…

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2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE, 78K MILES. FUEL GAGE READING STARTING BOUNCING AROUND. SHOWED HALF FULL ON A FRESHLY FILLED TANK. EVENTUALLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ERROR CODE P0464 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR 'A' ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME.). FUEL SENSORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. AN INACCURATE FUEL READING IS A SAFETY CONCERN, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ISSUE THAT CAN LEAD TO UNEXPECTED VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. THE NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE WEB CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENSORS IN THE 2008 SANTA FE SUGGESTS STRONGLY THAT A RECALL IS WARRANTED.

NHTSA ODI #10811453

77,000 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FUEL SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FUEL SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10808200

93,500 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING THROUGH THE CITY THE OTHER NIGHT. THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND AS WE APPROACHED A GREEN LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION THE CAR DIES AND COMES TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AS THE LIGHT WAS CHANGING. LUCKILY WE WEREN'T REAR ENDED OR T BONED. COME TO FIND OUT WE RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH IT R…

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MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING THROUGH THE CITY THE OTHER NIGHT. THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND AS WE APPROACHED A GREEN LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION THE CAR DIES AND COMES TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AS THE LIGHT WAS CHANGING. LUCKILY WE WEREN'T REAR ENDED OR T BONED. COME TO FIND OUT WE RAN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH IT READ HALF A TANK. THANKS HYUNDAI FOR TRYING TO KILL US.

NHTSA ODI #10808168

80,100 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

THE FUEL SENSOR FAILS TO SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE INDICATOR MOVES FROM FULL TO HALF EMPTY TO FULL TO 1/4. THE RANGE INDICATOR DOES NOT INDICATE THE CORRECT RANGE EITHER. IT WILL SHOW 320 MILES REMAINING AND THEN IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO 100 MILES AND BACK TO 300...ETC.

NHTSA ODI #10806369

65,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I ALSO HAD THE FUEL SENSOR GO OUT AND HAD IT FIXED. AND I HAD TO HAVE MY ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE. ONCE WHEN IT WENT OUT AND AGAIN IN 9 MONTHS DUE TO RECALL FOR A FUEL GASKET COVER DEFAULT. SO I PAID THE FIRST TIME OUT OF POCKET $700 ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE DEFAULT. LYNDA

NHTSA ODI #10788333

63,000 miles · Nov 1, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN NOTICED WHEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AND I FILED THE TANK IT ONLY TOOK 12 GALLONS INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 15-16. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY IMMEDIATELY STATED IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. CAUSING BOTH ISSUES. IT MUST BE A COMMON ISSUE. $500 QUOTED REPAIR. NOW WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON A…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN NOTICED WHEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AND I FILED THE TANK IT ONLY TOOK 12 GALLONS INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 15-16. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY IMMEDIATELY STATED IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. CAUSING BOTH ISSUES. IT MUST BE A COMMON ISSUE. $500 QUOTED REPAIR. NOW WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU FILL IT TAKES BETWEEN 10 AND 12 GALLONS. NOT SURE IF THAT MEANS THERE WAS 4-6 IN THE TANK OR SOMETHING ELSE IS RESTRICTING THE VOLUME OF FUEL YOU CAN ADD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO THE LOW FUEL NIGHT MAY COME ON AND THE GAUGE SHOWS NEARLY EMPTY AND THEN IT MIGHT GO OFF AND SHOW 1/4. IS IT EMPTY OR IS IT A QUARTER. MILEAGE ON THE CAR ABOUT 63000.

NHTSA ODI #10787533

Official recalls

4

13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

12V354000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

11V472000 · Air Bags:frontal

Sep 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

08V272000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 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).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.