Problems · by component

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe air bags problems

70 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe cite air bags, 13% of all 541 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
70
13% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“My car has a recall, and the dealership is unable to fix it. There is also an issue with the oem control module that they are unable to get the part and unable to fix this because they do not have the correct software.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2024Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11579293
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2022Service brakes, hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11484286
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2020Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11343434
“TL* 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2020Air bagsODI 11342991
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2019Air bagsODI 11222524

Showing 6 of 70 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

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