NHTSA lists 541 complaints for the 2008 Hyundai Santa FE, 17 of them mention a crash and 7 mention a fire. 11 complaints mention an injury, with 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-10.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2013-04-01. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Defect: 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 T (excerpt)
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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 number is 110. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2012-07-25. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2011-09-09. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES. (excerpt)
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 AT 1-800-633-5151. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2008-06-19. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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 STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE BLACK CERTIFICATION LABEL AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE CENTER PILLAR, INCORRECTLY LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS (GAWR).
Consequence: OVERLOADING YOUR VEHICLE MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT HANDLING AND BRAKING AND MAY CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE, RESULTING IN TIRE FAILURE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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 BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI AT 1-800-633-5151.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
1 investigations; 0 open.
DP21003
Opened: 2021-11-12. Closed: 2023-06-20.
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007
Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
64 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 19 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 15 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 11 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 6 |
|---|
| WHEELS | 4 |
|---|
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
|---|
| TIRES | 3 |
|---|
11032522
Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit drivera side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prio
11032523
Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivera s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the ve
11025476
Date: 2025-11-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary
10253274
Date: 2024-04-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankA?A A s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is conti
10253276
Date: 2024-04-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankA?A A s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is conti
10251285
Date: 2024-02-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY/WIPER.
This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, w
10247609
Date: 2023-12-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankA?A A s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is conti
10247610
Date: 2023-12-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankA?A A s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is conti
10245011
Date: 2023-11-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankA?A A s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is conti
10245012
Date: 2023-11-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Some Santa Fe (CM) vehicles may have an engine that potentially leaks oil from the front cylinder bankA?A A s valve cover onto the alternator. Oil could damage the alternator resulting in illumination of the charging system warning lamp and disablement of the charging system. If the vehicle is conti