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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Hyundai Santa FeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 541 owner complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (215) and electrical system (74). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2013
Owner complaints
541
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V113000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 25, 2012NHTSA 12V354000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 9, 2011NHTSA 11V472000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

541 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2008 – Mar 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system215
  2. Electrical system74
  3. Air bags70
  4. Engine60
  5. Fuel system, gasoline58
  6. Vehicle speed control52
  7. Power train24
  8. Structure20
  9. Service brakes16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Santa Fe model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001209
2002171
2003308
2004303
2005216
2006106
2007684
2008541
2009359
2010260
2011181
2012355
2013605
2014494
2015255
2016236
2017972
2018110
2019203
2020218
2021168
2022202
2023214
2024156
2025137
202637
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

215 reports
“The fuel tank level sensor failed and yes can be inspected. Check engine light goes on and fuel says empty with little yellow light .My mechanic checked my car and told me it was the fuel tank level sensor. Check engine light goes on and the fuel needle goes up and down to empty. When I fill the tank, the check engine light goes off and the needle rises to full. When the gas reaches a certain level the check engine light goes on and fuel needle drops to empty . It will go up and down. This first occurred October 2022.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2022Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11492623

Electrical system

74 reports4 fires
“Engine rattles noise when starting the car after sitting for more than an hour it makes that sound another issue is that when i turn the headlights on all interior lights shuts off including the instrument cluster radio and ac climate control buttons”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11725733

Air bags

70 reports5 crashes
“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. Major safety issues”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2025Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11666888
All 2008 Santa Fe problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Santa Fe 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200444
Santa Fe 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200444
Santa Fe 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Santa Fe 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400468
Santa Fe 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Santa Fe 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2431
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Santa Fe questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

Owners filed 541 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (215), electrical system (74), air bags (70). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026