IllustrationI WAS MOVING MY CAR IN FRONT OF MY CARPORT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT, THERE WAS ONLY A FEW SECONDS TO REACT. THE CAR WAS STOPPED BY THE POLL. IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN? *TT
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
52 reportsWAS SECOND VEHICLE AT STOP LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD OVERRIDING BRAKE, AND HIT BACK OF VEHICLE IN FRONT CAUSING DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHER DRIVER. HAD PEDESTRIANS BEEN IN FRONT, COULD EASILY HAVE RUN OVER THEM. MONTHS PRIOR, TWICE ON SAME DAY ENGINE POWER DIED WHILE DRIVING. HYUNDAI …
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WAS SECOND VEHICLE AT STOP LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD OVERRIDING BRAKE, AND HIT BACK OF VEHICLE IN FRONT CAUSING DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHER DRIVER. HAD PEDESTRIANS BEEN IN FRONT, COULD EASILY HAVE RUN OVER THEM. MONTHS PRIOR, TWICE ON SAME DAY ENGINE POWER DIED WHILE DRIVING. HYUNDAI REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK, STOMACH AND CHEST BRUISING, AS WELL AS LACERATIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK, STOMACH AND CHEST BRUISING, AS WELL AS LACERATIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
SEE ATTACHED EMAIL UPDATED 06/04/2013*LJ THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OSC) DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY RECOGNIZE SMALL-STATURED ADULTS, CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEACTIVATE WHEN SUCH PERSON OCCUPY THE FRONT SEAT. ALSO, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE…
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SEE ATTACHED EMAIL UPDATED 06/04/2013*LJ THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OSC) DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY RECOGNIZE SMALL-STATURED ADULTS, CAUSING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEACTIVATE WHEN SUCH PERSON OCCUPY THE FRONT SEAT. ALSO, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN, AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE, AND A WHINING SOUND UPON ACCELERATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH GOING UP A HILL, MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND PUSHING THE BRAKES AT FULL PRESSURE ONLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT STOP AND THE ENGINE REVVED. I WAS IN A PANIC BECAUSE VEHICLES WERE IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALMOST SLAMMED INTO THEM. I MANAGED TO PUL…
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AS I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH GOING UP A HILL, MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND PUSHING THE BRAKES AT FULL PRESSURE ONLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT STOP AND THE ENGINE REVVED. I WAS IN A PANIC BECAUSE VEHICLES WERE IN FRONT OF ME AND I ALMOST SLAMMED INTO THEM. I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND TRAVEL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRYING TO STOP MY VEHICLE. I FINALLY SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ALL THE WHILE PUSHING THE BRAKES AND GOT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN MY LIFE AND FORTUNATELY DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO MY GARAGE BECAUSE I WAS TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I AM AWAITING DIAGNOSIS.. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND THE GARAGE WAS CLOSED. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT UNTIL MONDAY. *TR
THE ARE THREE LAYERS OF FLOOR COVERING ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS THE WALL TO WALL CARPET. THE SECOND IS A FLOOR MAT, MADE OF CARPET MATERIAL WHICH IS SECURELY ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIRD LAYER OF FLOOR COVERING IS A THICK RUBBER MAT. THE RUBBER MAT RESTS ATOP THE CARPETED FLOOR MAT UNANCHORED. IT S…
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THE ARE THREE LAYERS OF FLOOR COVERING ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST IS THE WALL TO WALL CARPET. THE SECOND IS A FLOOR MAT, MADE OF CARPET MATERIAL WHICH IS SECURELY ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE THIRD LAYER OF FLOOR COVERING IS A THICK RUBBER MAT. THE RUBBER MAT RESTS ATOP THE CARPETED FLOOR MAT UNANCHORED. IT SLIDES AROUND ON TOP OF THE CARPETED FLOOR MAT AND PREVENTS A SEVERE HAZARD BECAUSE IT OCCASIONALLY LODGES ITSELF UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING THE PEDAL TO JAM. THIS DANGER CAN BE EXTREME BECAUSE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL JAMS IN AN INTERMEDIATE THROTTLE SETTING, IT LENGTHENS THE STOPPING DISTANCE AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT THEN EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN WHICH TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT THEN EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN WHICH THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE THEN JERKED FORWARD AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
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.