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
110,000 miles · Dec 7, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES, SEVERAL MORE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MILES, SEVERAL MORE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR BESIDES DRIVE AND NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10808763
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
80,000 miles · Nov 13, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE SO FAR HAS HAD TWO INSTANCES OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION, NOT JUST SUDDEN BUT WHILE DRIVING AND PERFORMING A PASSING MANEUVER OR NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK ON A GEAR, PRESSING THE BRAKE OR SHIFTING TO MANUAL MODE, ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN OR BACK TO D OR N WILL NOT STOP THE ACC…
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THE VEHICLE SO FAR HAS HAD TWO INSTANCES OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION, NOT JUST SUDDEN BUT WHILE DRIVING AND PERFORMING A PASSING MANEUVER OR NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK ON A GEAR, PRESSING THE BRAKE OR SHIFTING TO MANUAL MODE, ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN OR BACK TO D OR N WILL NOT STOP THE ACCELERATION. I JUST KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT HAZARDS ON, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE (LEFT KEY IN ACCESSORIES) AND THEN COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. THE MINUTE I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF I GAINED STOP CONTROL, PRIOR, MASHING ON THE BRAKE WASN'T STOPPING THE CAR. ONCE I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I WAITED A MINUTE OR SO, CAREFULLY RESTARTED THE CAR AND THINGS WERE BACK TO NORMAL. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED BE STUCK ON 5TH GEAR, BUT WHEN I SHIFTED FROM D TO MANUAL AND BACK THE ACCELERATION RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE STUCK ON 3RD, THE INITIAL DESCRIPTION ABOVE IS ABOUT THE 2ND INSTANCE. TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WILL AVOID RABBIT STARTS OR INITIATING ANY RAPID ACCELERATION, WHICH SEEMS TO BE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION OR SOME SENSOR IS GETTING BAD DATA. MY GUESS IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY POSITIONING SENSOR. ALTHOUGH I WOULD ASSUME THAT IF THE COMPUTER/TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCE A BAD SIGNAL OR LOSS OF SIGNAL FROM A SENSOR THAT THE DEFAULT ACTION WOULD BE TO SHUT OFF... NOT LOCK IN A GEAR WITH NO MEANS TO STOP OTHER THAN SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #10790119
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
77,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAIL. THE GAS GAUGE DROPS FROM FULL TO 1/4 TANK TO 3/4 TANK. THE "RANGE" DISPLAY WILL GO FROM EMPTY TO 300 MILES LEFT TO 79 MILES LEFT. ALL OVER THE PLACE. IT WILL SAY YOUR FULL AND YOU ARE EMPTY IT WILL SAY YOUR EMPTY AND YOU ARE FULL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE YOU ARE IN MOTION ON ANY ROADWAY AT ANY SPEED AND …
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FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAIL. THE GAS GAUGE DROPS FROM FULL TO 1/4 TANK TO 3/4 TANK. THE "RANGE" DISPLAY WILL GO FROM EMPTY TO 300 MILES LEFT TO 79 MILES LEFT. ALL OVER THE PLACE. IT WILL SAY YOUR FULL AND YOU ARE EMPTY IT WILL SAY YOUR EMPTY AND YOU ARE FULL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE YOU ARE IN MOTION ON ANY ROADWAY AT ANY SPEED AND ALSO WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. UPDATED 12/16/15.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10788218
83,300 miles · Nov 1, 2015
Engine
WHILE ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE PEDAL STARTED GOING TO THE FLOOR. PRYING UP ON THE PEDAL WITH YOUR FOOT DID NOT HAVE AN AFFECT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT TWICE AND HAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A P…
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WHILE ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE PEDAL STARTED GOING TO THE FLOOR. PRYING UP ON THE PEDAL WITH YOUR FOOT DID NOT HAVE AN AFFECT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT TWICE AND HAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10787554
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
80,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. FUEL GAUGE NOW READS EMPTY EVEN IF TANK IS FULL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK IS UNKNOWN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY HYUNDAI.
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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