IllustrationTHE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR. IT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. IT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ON CONSISTENTLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS ARE DEALING WITH PER WEBSITES THAT I HAVE READ. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Santa Fe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
720–25K
4425–50K
11650–75K
11275–100K
92100–150K
25150K+
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 reportsTHE FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER READS PROPERLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE CODE IS PO464 WHICH INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $800 FROM THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OF THE FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES, WHY HAS THERE BEE…
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THE FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER READS PROPERLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE CODE IS PO464 WHICH INDICATES A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $800 FROM THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF FAILURES OF THE FUEL INDICATING SYSTEM ON HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES, WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL? *TR
THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED AND WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. CAR HAD TO BE THROWN INTO NEUTRAL AND KEY TURNED OFF. ALL FOUR BRAKES WERE BURNT UP. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS THERE A CRASH. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE OTHER THAN THE RPM'S …
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THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED AND WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. CAR HAD TO BE THROWN INTO NEUTRAL AND KEY TURNED OFF. ALL FOUR BRAKES WERE BURNT UP. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS THERE A CRASH. THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE OTHER THAN THE RPM'S RISING EVEN THOUGH BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED. SO THEY KNOW IT HAPPENED BUT JUST DON'T KNOW WHY. CALLED HYUNDAI TO DOCUMENT THIS AND THEIR ONLY RESPONSE WAS THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A HYUNDAI DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC STUDY. SURE - SPEND MORE MONEY WITH HYUNDAI FOR THEM TO TELL ME NOTHING. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO THE LOSS OF 30+ LIVES. *TR
THE GAS GAUGE ON OUR SANTA FE STOPPED WORKING RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE TANK TO FULL. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 50 MILES OR SO, THE GAUGE WILL SLOWLY RISE TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL BUT WILL DROP BACK DOWN IF THE SUV SITS IN IDLE FOR ANY TIME LONGER THAN 3 MINUTES. IT WILL ALSO FLUCTUATE GREATLY AFTER IT HITS 1/2 A TANK OF GAS. FOR EXAMPL…
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THE GAS GAUGE ON OUR SANTA FE STOPPED WORKING RIGHT AFTER FILLING THE TANK TO FULL. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 50 MILES OR SO, THE GAUGE WILL SLOWLY RISE TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL BUT WILL DROP BACK DOWN IF THE SUV SITS IN IDLE FOR ANY TIME LONGER THAN 3 MINUTES. IT WILL ALSO FLUCTUATE GREATLY AFTER IT HITS 1/2 A TANK OF GAS. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WILL GO FROM HAVING OVER 1/4 OF A TANK TO SHOWING NO GAS AND THE GAS LIGHT BEING ON AFTER ONE SHUT OFF AND RESTART. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ON IN OUR VEHICLE NOW AND I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I TRULY HAVE IN MY SUV. IT NOW CAUSES ME TO QUESTION THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE LOVED OUR SANTA FE UP UNTIL THIS POINT AND ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LARGE EXPENSE TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE TREND IN THE SANTA FE'S THAT WERE MADE AROUND THE TIME OF OURS. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND ISSUE THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THE HYUNDAI BRAND RELATED TO A FAULTY PART THAT CAUSES AN EXPENSIVE FIX. AS A MOTHER OF A YOUNG CHILD AND CURRENTLY EXPECTING OUR SECOND CHILD, I AM NOW RECONSIDERING STICKING WITH THE HYUNDAI BRAND FOR FUTURE FAMILY VEHICLES. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT OR IT WILL CERTAINLY CAUSE FAMILIES LIKE MINE TO BUY ANOTHER BRAND GOING FORWARD. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED APP. 2 WEEKS AGO NOT REGISTERING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES OF FILLING THE TANK UP COMPLETLY. 3 DAYS AGO NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON & WOULD NOT GO OUT! I MADE A APPT . WITH THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM FOR TODAY & WAS I EVER SURPRISED AND SHOCKED WHEN THE SE…
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THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED APP. 2 WEEKS AGO NOT REGISTERING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, EVEN AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES OF FILLING THE TANK UP COMPLETLY. 3 DAYS AGO NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON & WOULD NOT GO OUT! I MADE A APPT . WITH THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM FOR TODAY & WAS I EVER SURPRISED AND SHOCKED WHEN THE SERVICE ADVISER INFORMED ME THE COST TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENSORS IN THE FUEL TANK THAT IS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON CONSTANTLY WAS NORMALY ABOUT $1,200.00, BUT THEY COULD DO IT FOR THE PRICE OF $811.00!! I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE WORK DONE DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON ALL THE TIME I WOUKLD NEVER GET MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE STATE INSPECTION. HYUNDAI MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO RE-CALLS ON THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF!!! & BE FORCED TO RE-IMBURSE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE HAD TO SPEND THIS OUTRACOUS SUM OF MONEY TO HAVE OUR VEHICLES REPAIRE DUE TO THERE DEFECTIVE PARTS!! *TR
AT START UP I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE WAS NOT REGISTERING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT STAYED PEGGED AT ZERO AMOUNT OF FUEL. LATER AND NO IT REGISTERS SOMETIME AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT REGISTERS FULL WITH A FULL TANK AND THEN SINKS TO HALF A TANK AND LATER TO ZERO, HARDLY INDICATING THE CO…
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AT START UP I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE WAS NOT REGISTERING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT STAYED PEGGED AT ZERO AMOUNT OF FUEL. LATER AND NO IT REGISTERS SOMETIME AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT REGISTERS FULL WITH A FULL TANK AND THEN SINKS TO HALF A TANK AND LATER TO ZERO, HARDLY INDICATING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. *TR
THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR. IT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. IT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ON CONSISTENTLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS ARE DEALING WITH PER WEBSITES THAT I HAVE READ. *TR
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AT TIMES BUT WHEN THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF THE GAUGE WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THEN THE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD WORK OFF AND ON. NOW NEITHER ONE WORKS AT ALL AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE,BUT THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS …
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AT TIMES BUT WHEN THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF THE GAUGE WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THEN THE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME AND THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD WORK OFF AND ON. NOW NEITHER ONE WORKS AT ALL AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WE HAVE,BUT THAT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK OUT. MY HUSBAND IS DISABLED AND I HAVE TO TRAVEL A CURVY COUNTRY ROAD AT 430 AM BY MYSELF AND JUST RECENTLY I RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE GOING TO WORK. MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO COME AND GET ME DUE TO HIS DISABILITY SO I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM 430AM TO 630AM WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME . THIS IS THE FIRST HYUNDAI I'VE EVER OWNED AND I WAS VERY SATISFIED UNTIL THIS PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY OR EVEN A FATALITY,BY GRACE OF GOD,BUT THERE VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN ALL THOSE THINGS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COME TO THAT.I HOPE YOU STEP UP TO THE PLATE HYUNDAI AND PROTECT YOUR GOOD NAME WHILE THERE IS TIME TO DO SO. *TR
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. SHOWED EMPTY AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN FULL. HAD TO ALWAYS ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WAS LEFT IN ORDER NOT TO RUN OUT. IT WAS VERY INCONVENIENT AND I HAD TO FINALLY TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE FIXED TO THE TUNE OF $550. I AGREE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHE…
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FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. SHOWED EMPTY AT ALL TIMES EVEN WHEN FULL. HAD TO ALWAYS ESTIMATE HOW MUCH GAS WAS LEFT IN ORDER NOT TO RUN OUT. IT WAS VERY INCONVENIENT AND I HAD TO FINALLY TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI TO HAVE FIXED TO THE TUNE OF $550. I AGREE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS IT SEEMS THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN FAULTY SHOWING EMPTY ONLY TO SLOWLY CREEP UP TO THE CORRECT LEVEL OF GAS. IT NOW SHOWS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. FULL TANK, EMPTY TANK, MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. *TR
Official recalls
413V113000 · 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
1DP21003 · 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.