MYRModel Year Report

2008 Hyundai Santa FE

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Hyundai Santa FE
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Hyundai Santa FE Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 683 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2008 2009: 358 complaints 2009 2010: 258 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2016: 235 complaints 2017: 957 complaints 2017 2018: 108 complaints 2019: 194 complaints 2020: 204 complaints 2021: 165 complaints 2021 2022: 196 complaints 2023: 205 complaints 2024: 140 complaints 2025: 127 complaints 2025 2026: 32 complaints 2026
2008: 541 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2001209
2002165
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007683
2008541
2009358
2010258
2011181
2012353
2013605
2014493
2015254
2016235
2017957
2018108
2019194
2020204
2021165
2022196
2023205
2024140
2025127
202632

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 40%

40% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 215 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 75 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing difficulty charging. The contact stated that while driving 50-60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250418

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 70 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My suv was involved in a Roll Over accident. The front driver tire blew out causing the driver to hit the curb which caused the SUV to roll 4 times. The driver was ejected from the vehicle while wearing a seat belt and not one air bag deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250614

THE LAST WEEK FOR NOV. 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW SANTA FE FOR MY WIFE. ON 12/26/2008 SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON WRECK. MY 25 YR. OLD DAUGHTER WHO IS VERY PETTY ABOUT 110 LBS. WAS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20081230

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 60 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Head on impact rear ending a truck. Engine locked melted head gaskets and destroyed radiator

NHTSA ODI report, 20221107

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 541
R 20080331 — trailer hitches

THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWIN

Remedy: HYUNDAI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.

Campaign 08E016000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080805 — equipment

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 STANDAR

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 BE

Campaign 08V272000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081013 — trailer hitches

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATIO

Remedy: THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL CONDUCTED BY HYUNDAI AFFECTING THE SAME TRAILER HITCH WIRING COMPONENTS CONCERNING HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1. (PLEASE SEE 08E016

Campaign 08E055000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120528 — air bags

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

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

Campaign 11V472000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120907 — air bags

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

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.

Campaign 12V354000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130422 — exterior lighting

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, 2008-2

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 13V113000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211112 — DP (closed 20230620)

Throttle control system vulnerabilities

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (215 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (75 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (70 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E016000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V272000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E055000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V472000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V354000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V113000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2026 ▲ 2006 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2007 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE?

The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.