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
What owners actually said
541 reports
70,000 miles · Mar 1, 2018
Structure
DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT NIGHT AND THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY FLEW OFF THE TOP OF CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL SINCE IT HAPPENS AND HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORP AND FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM ON FEB TUES 27TH BUT HAVE NOT RESOLVED WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS WITH ME OR CARSTAR COLLISION CENTER WHERE MY CAR IS SITTIN…
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DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT NIGHT AND THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY FLEW OFF THE TOP OF CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL SINCE IT HAPPENS AND HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORP AND FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM ON FEB TUES 27TH BUT HAVE NOT RESOLVED WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS WITH ME OR CARSTAR COLLISION CENTER WHERE MY CAR IS SITTING NOW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL, THE UNDER CARRIAGE HAD NOT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE RENTAL CAR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11075575
135,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL SENSOR/GAUGE READS AS EMPTY ALL THE TIME NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK, THIS INCLUDES AFTER FILLING UP. THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE, AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THIS CAR.…
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THE FUEL SENSOR/GAUGE READS AS EMPTY ALL THE TIME NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK, THIS INCLUDES AFTER FILLING UP. THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE, AFTER RESEARCHING ON LINE IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS OF THIS CAR. IF YOU WENT BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, IT MIGHT NOT LOOK LIKE MUCH BUT AN INTERNET SEARCH WOULD INDICATE OTHERWISE. FOR SOME PEOPLE THIS CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO PROBLEMS WHEN LEGITIMATELY RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT KNOWING THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE THIS CONSISTENT AND ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NO RECOURSE.
NHTSA ODI #11075026
86,000 miles · Feb 20, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
THE GAS ELECTRIC FLOAT DOESN'T WORK IT A 'LL WAYS SHOWS I HAVE NO GAS I HAVE TO FILL EVER 2 DAYS JUST SO I DON'T RUN OUT. BUT HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN THE SIDE IF THE ROAD 5 TIMES SINCE PROBLEM HAPPENED. HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED DUE TO MO GET ISSUES FOR IT.
NHTSA ODI #11073771
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY, THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING LONG DELAY AND INABILITY TO MERGE PROPERLY. IT IS A THROTTLE SENSOR FAILURE THAT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND FREQUENTLY. CAUSES A DRIVING HAZARD AND I HAVE NARROWLY ESCAPED COLLISION DUE TO ACCELERATOR FAILURE. ONGOING PROBLEM S…
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO HIGHWAY, THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING LONG DELAY AND INABILITY TO MERGE PROPERLY. IT IS A THROTTLE SENSOR FAILURE THAT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND FREQUENTLY. CAUSES A DRIVING HAZARD AND I HAVE NARROWLY ESCAPED COLLISION DUE TO ACCELERATOR FAILURE. ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE IN 2008.
NHTSA ODI #11057110
123,000 miles · Dec 17, 2017
Structure
TAKATA RECALL MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS PAINT THAT CHIPPED AWAY ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE, RIGHT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. THE PAINT STILL CONTINUES TO REMOVE ITSELF FROM THE BODY IN CHUNKS. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO. AND I DO NOT EXPECT PAINT TO REMOVE ITSELF WITH ANY RUST/ ROCK CHIPS IN THE AREA OF PAINT MISSING. THE SUV HAS…
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TAKATA RECALL MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS PAINT THAT CHIPPED AWAY ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE, RIGHT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. THE PAINT STILL CONTINUES TO REMOVE ITSELF FROM THE BODY IN CHUNKS. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO. AND I DO NOT EXPECT PAINT TO REMOVE ITSELF WITH ANY RUST/ ROCK CHIPS IN THE AREA OF PAINT MISSING. THE SUV HAS 136,800 MILES ON IT, BUT PAINT SHOULD NOT BE COMING OFF IN CHUNKS. I LOOKED ONLINE AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THEIR HYUNDAI. IT'S NOT JUST A PROBLEM WITH THE SANTA FE. IT'S ALSO SONATA'S, ELANTRA'S AND OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS. THE MISSING PEARL WHITE PAINT NOW SHOWS BARE METAL AND IS NOW SHOWING SIGNS OF SURFACE RUST.
NHTSA ODI #11055143
229,000 miles · Oct 16, 2017
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BENTLEY HYUNDAI, 3805 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BENTLEY HYUNDAI, 3805 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.
NHTSA ODI #11033537
163,201 miles · Oct 14, 2017
Engine
WHILE NORMAL DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD GOING STRAIGHT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR ANY CHANGE IN CONDITION. YOU LOOSE ALL POWER, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND HAVE TO BRING IT TO STOP WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PLACE IN PARK. THEN YOU CAN START THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN LIKE IT HAS NO ISSUES. THIS ISSUE …
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WHILE NORMAL DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD GOING STRAIGHT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR ANY CHANGE IN CONDITION. YOU LOOSE ALL POWER, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND HAVE TO BRING IT TO STOP WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PLACE IN PARK. THEN YOU CAN START THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN LIKE IT HAS NO ISSUES. THIS ISSUE PRODUCES NO ENGINE TROUBLE CODES AND HAS HAPPENED 3 OTHER TIMES IN THE 6 YEARS WE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WE NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11033337
124,733 miles · Oct 5, 2017
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
ON 9/26/2017 AT 3:55 P.M. I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING ON HWY 97 IN CALIFORNIA AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH. NO MORE THAN 10 MILES OUTSIDE THE CITY OF WEED. I HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD OR BLEW A TIRE. THE CAR FIRST WENT LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. THE BREAKS FELT AS THOUGH THEY LOCKED. WHEN THE CAR HI…
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ON 9/26/2017 AT 3:55 P.M. I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING ON HWY 97 IN CALIFORNIA AT APPROXIMATELY 55-60 MPH. NO MORE THAN 10 MILES OUTSIDE THE CITY OF WEED. I HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD OR BLEW A TIRE. THE CAR FIRST WENT LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. THE BREAKS FELT AS THOUGH THEY LOCKED. WHEN THE CAR HIT AN ASPHALT CURB IT WENT AIRBORNE (THERE WERE NO GUARD RAILS) AND WENT INTO A SMALL EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BUT LANDED UPRIGHT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I ALSO BELIEVE THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO WHEN A CRASH OCCURS. I SAY THAT BECAUSE THE RIGHT SIDE MY HEAD HIT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AND I RECEIVED A LARGE HEMATOMA. INITIALLY I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE THE ROOF HAD CAVED IN. WHEN I SAW THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY IT WAS THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROOF THAT HAD CAVED IN. WHAT ALSO MAKES ME BELIEVE THERE IS A SEATBELT ISSUE IS I WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER IN 1985 AND DID NOT SUFFER ANY HEAD INJURIES AS THE SEAT BELT KEPT ME TIGHTLY IN THE SEAT.
NHTSA ODI #11031914
96,000 miles · Oct 5, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE AND RANGE TILL EMPTY FLUCTUATE NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL VERY HUGE SAFETY ISSUE EVERYTIME IT IS DRIVEN OR WHEN FIRST STARTED FILL TANK AND WILL READ ANYTHING FROM EMPTY TO 3/4 TANK VERY SELDOM ON FULL. ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CODE SAYS SENDING UNITS SMELL OF FUEL
NHTSA ODI #11031861
49,000 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure
PEELING PAINT ON ROOF GAS TANK DOESN'T REGISTER IF TANK IS EMPTY OR FULL.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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