Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Owners filed 541 complaints about the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Apr 2008 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (215).

Complaints
541
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)16
  11. Steering14
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  13. Exterior lighting11
  14. Suspension11

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200822
200931
201018
201124
201217
201346
2014100
201574
201653
201743
201830
201927
202017
20217
20227
20237
20248
20258
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 crashes2 related recalls
“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

Engine

60 reports2 crashes1 fire
“I have taken my car to my local dealership for the Service Campaign 976 (Oil Gasket leak) back in Nov 2023. Ever since then my car has had starting issues until one day it needed a jump start in 2024 during the summer. Didn't think anything of it at the time, until the beginning of 2025. Car needed a jump start in the winter before leaving for work in the morning and before going back home from work. My brother who is a auto mechanic suggested I needed a new battery by now so I did that. Once I replaced the battery on my car I noticed that I didn't have headlights, power steering or heat working in my car. He came to my home and checked my engine and noticed that my alternator was covered in oil. I remembered that I took my car to the dealership for this issue with the Service campaign. I've been back and forth with this issue between the dealership and corporate to look at this issue. The dealership can't provide any photo proof or documentation stating what work was done. The dealership claimed that Hyundai doesn't need photo proof as of 2023 and started needing it in 2024, they simple state that the work was done and sign the car off on the recall. I don't…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11720879

Fuel system, gasoline

58 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to display an accurate current fuel level. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel lines replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2022Fuel system, gasolineODI 11448613

Vehicle speed control

52 reports7 crashes
“The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with the cruise control activated, the contact stated that after depressing the brake pedal the cruise control briefly failed to disengage. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The Electronic Power Control (EPC) and power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the stop lamp switch. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V113000 (Exterior Lighting); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 195,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2025Power train, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed controlODI 11638264
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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