10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,645 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #47

Jun 182022

Santa Fe

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer after receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V936000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 12V354000 (Air Bags). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle that the brake lamp switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that while driving, the TPMS, passenger seat belt, and the ESC warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket and alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

- Alvin, TX, USA

problem #46

Aug 032020

Santa Fe

  • 64,900 miles
Clock spring contact assembly for drivers airbag. Experiencing high resistance code. Recall 11V472000 covered some 2008 models but not mine. Air bag light came on after starting vehicle on 08/03/2020

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #45

Jul 152020

Santa Fe

  • 100,580 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 11V472000 (air bags) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,580.

- Springfield, IL, USA

problem #44

Jan 012014

Santa Fe

  • miles
Campaign 103 recall. I have this exact problem with my 2008 Santa Fe but never recieved a recall notice.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #43

Jun 242019

Santa Fe

  • 125,000 miles
Air bag clock spring causing air bag light to come on. Vehicle was made April of 2008 there is an existing recall for vehicles made in March of 2008 for this exact issue

- Royalston, MA, USA

problem #42

Oct 162017

Santa Fe

  • 229,000 miles
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.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #41

Sep 262017

Santa Fe

  • 124,733 miles
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.

- Redmond, WA, USA

problem #40

Dec 012016

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • miles
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regards to design flaw with airbag. The consumer stated the vehicle was involved in an accident causing the airbags to deploy. The propellant the deploys the airbag the contained a chemical that left the consumer with two second degree burns on the arm. Updated 09/18/2017

- Rowley, MA, USA

problem #39

Aug 162017

Santa Fe

  • miles
A few days ago after starting the ignition on the computer performed its normal check, however, the air bag light remained continuously on. This continues to stay on each time I turn on the car. The airbag light does not blink, it remains constantly on. Passenger airbag light works according to the light above the radio; it indicates "off" when no one is sitting in the passenger seat and the light turns off when someone sits down. The horn does work, however the buttons on the steering wheel do not work. The buttons on the steering wheel began to not work prior to the airbag light coming on. There is a recall for the clock spring contact assembly under NHTSA campaign number: 11V472000. This recall only includes Santa Fe's manufactured up to March 20th, 2008. My Santa Fe was manufactured after on April 24th, 2008. Requesting investigation to extend this recall due to there are multiple complaints regarding this malfunction on the clock spring for the Santa Fe on vehicles made after the date of March 20th, 2008. Multiple complaints regarding this are found on the NHTSA website with this same malfunction for vehicles after the date of the recall.

- Syracuse, UT, USA

problem #38

Aug 182017

Santa Fe

  • 165,000 miles
A week ago, the red lamp on my dashboard for air bag began to stay lit, while driving, parked, anytime the vehicle was running. Then a few days ago, while my 275 lb son was sitting in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag light stayed lit, saying off, indicating it was not working, despite having a passenger in the seat. Both of these have had recalls, (12V354000) and 11V472000, but I have not received notification to have serviced. One I suspect is because my vehicle was manufactured March 27th, and the recalled includes dates though March 21 (2008) but it is the same problem, so my vehicle should be repaired without cost to me. This is a safety concern for both drivers and passengers in this vehicle. I also have a special needs son, who cannot comprehend safety issues....

- Little Egg Harbor, NJ, USA

problem #37

Jan 012015

Santa Fe

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving unknown speeds, the driver side air bag indicator illuminated. The contact called a local dealer (plaza Hyundai located at 2740 nostrand ave ste a brooklyn, NY 11210) where it was diagnosed that the driver's seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 10473827. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 45,000....updated 10/19/17

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #36

Sep 292016

Santa Fe

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle began to hydroplane without warning. The contact stated that the steering failed and, due to the contact attempting to apply the brakes, the vehicle began to spin. The vehicle crashed into the road divider. The passenger side of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The contact received shoulder and back injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ball bearings on the front axle were worn out. The tie rods were replaced, but the calipers needed to be replaced also. The vehicle was repaired. The body of the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the ESC and ABS sensors illuminated. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the tires and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #35

Jul 012016

Santa Fe

  • miles
Hyundai dealer said my ball joints were bad, $750 for repairs, Hyundai has recall I was not notified. Drivers air bag illuminated, going in for repair Friday cost unknown. Again I was not notified about recall. I have to pay for repairs because I was not notified about recalls.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #34

May 162016

Santa Fe

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the front driver side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #33

Apr 042016

Santa Fe

  • 44,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving at various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.

- Plymouth Meeting, PA, USA

problem #32

Aug 102015

Santa Fe

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the clock spring switch needed to be replaced. In addition, the technician made the contact aware that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11V472000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Lansing, NY, USA

problem #31

Jun 122015

Santa Fe

  • 78,746 miles
Hyundai safety recall campaign no. 103: In relation to the above recall, my vehicle did not qualify due to it being manufactured on 2 June 2008. My clock spring for the driver's air bag has become inoperable as indicated by the air bag light illumination and dealer's diagnosis. The dealer states since there in no recall, I must pay for this part and the diagnosis because I have surpassed the 5yr/60K warranty. This is a safety issue and I am surprised it is not covered for free. As seen with the above recall campaign, I was a few months shy of having it replaced for free regardless of mileage. Is there a way to have my vehicle qualify for the recall?

- Eglin Afb, FL, USA

problem #30

Apr 272015

Santa Fe

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #29

Apr 012015

Santa Fe

  • 100,000 miles
My red air bag light has been on for about 2 months. I took it to the Hyundai dealership and they wanted $1500. My issue is I did nothing to cause the air bag malfunction so why should I pay this extremely high cost. (I'm retired) I also spoke with the Hyundai regional manager and they offered me $200. This is a safety hazard and I want Hyundai to fix this!!! I took my car in for the air bag recall in 2012, so something continues to be wrong with the air bag system.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #28

Feb 012013

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 11V472000 (air bags) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Vega Baja, PR, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »