MYRModel Year Report

2008 Hyundai Santa FE

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2008 Hyundai Santa FE
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
541
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2008

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel/propulsion system

40% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2008 541 2009: 358 complaints 2010: 259 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 968 complaints 2017 2018: 109 complaints 2019: 202 complaints 2020: 213 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 199 complaints 2023: 211 complaints 2024: 153 complaints 2025: 135 complaints 2025 2026: 38 complaints
2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2003 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2008: 541 complaints 2008 541 2009: 358 complaints 2010: 259 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2015 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 968 complaints 2017 2018: 109 complaints 2019: 202 complaints 2019 2020: 213 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 199 complaints 2023: 211 complaints 2023 2024: 153 complaints 2025: 135 complaints 2025 2026: 38 complaints
2001: 209 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2003: 308 complaints 2003 2004: 303 complaints 2005: 216 complaints 2005 2006: 106 complaints 2007: 684 complaints 2007 2008: 541 complaints 2008 541 2009: 358 complaints 2009 2010: 259 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2011 2012: 353 complaints 2013: 605 complaints 2013 2014: 493 complaints 2015: 254 complaints 2015 2016: 236 complaints 2017: 968 complaints 2017 2018: 109 complaints 2019: 202 complaints 2019 2020: 213 complaints 2021: 166 complaints 2021 2022: 199 complaints 2023: 211 complaints 2023 2024: 153 complaints 2025: 135 complaints 2025 2026: 38 complaints

2008: 541 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2001209
2002165
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009358
2010259
2011181
2012353
2013605
2014493
2015254
2016236
2017968
2018109
2019202
2020213
2021166
2022199
2023211
2024153
2025135
202638

Known problem areas

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

Fuel/propulsion system

40% · 215 reports

Electrical system

14% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIREINJURY
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, 2025-04-18

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Air bags

13% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2025-06-14

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, 2008-12-30

Engine

11% · 60 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-11-07

Fuel system, gasoline

11% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

CRASH

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2008Complaint volume 541 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2008-03-31Trailer hitches08E016000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2008-08-05Equipment08V272000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2008-10-13Trailer hitches08E055000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2012-05-28Air bags11V472000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2012-09-07Air bags12V354000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2013-04-22Exterior lighting13V113000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2021-11-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-06-20 Throttle control system vulnerabilities

Buy-smart checklist

2008 Hyundai Santa FE — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel/propulsion system: 215 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 75 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 70 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08E016000 · Trailer hitches
  • Recall 08V272000 · Equipment
  • Recall 08E055000 · Trailer hitches
  • Recall 11V472000 · Air bags
  • Recall 12V354000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V113000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.