2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    fuel tank and lines

    1 stranded, 96 unsafe, 74 annoyance

    171
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,000–102,000 mi

    Median 80,000 mi, based on 195 reports (11% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATES ON MY CAR AS WELL AND I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 33,000 MILES! ONE MINUTE THE CAR WILL REGISTER 1/2 OF A TANK OF GAS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL GO TO EMPTY AND THE GAS LIGHT COMES ON. WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND IT COMES BACK UP. I BROUG…"~33,000 mi, complaint #997084
    • "FOR PAST 2 YEARS MY FUEL TANK WILL SENDER IT'S FULL WHEN IT'S BEEN LOW AND ONLY TOO 5 GALS IN A 19 GAL. TANK. I HAVE READ OVER MANY TIMES COMPLAINTS THAT THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK?? I'VE BEEN QUOTED $425 TO REPAIR IT? IT'S A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE LIMITED.…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1628018
    • "FUEL LEVEL SENSORS FAILED AT 80,000MILES WHILE ON HIGHWAY. CANNOT MONITOR FUEL LEVEL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, VEHICLE FAILS INSPECTION. DEALER QUOTES $800 TO REPAIR. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THIS FLAW ENDEMIC TO THIS MODEL. INTERNET CO…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1349430
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ACTIVATED AND FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AT ALL TIMES. CONSTANTLY ADDING FUEL AS THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCURATELY ESTIMATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL IS A CONSTANT ISSUE FOR ANYONE DRIVING THESE VEHIC…"~101,000 mi, complaint #1224316
    • "THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FUEL TANK SENDER ASSEMBLY WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE HAS A SADDLE TANK DESIGN WITH A FUEL TANK SENDER ASSEMBLY IN EACH TANK SADDLE. WE WERE TOLD THAT WHEN A FAILURE IS INDICATED YOU C…"~161,249 mi, complaint #1050570
  2. #2

    airbag system

    55 unsafe

    55
    incidents
    Typical range: 500–65,000 mi

    Median 25,000 mi, based on 66 reports (16% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CAR IS GREAT RUNNING VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR ONE SAFETY PROBLEM: THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT DETECTS MY WIFE AS AN ADULT AND TOGGLES ON AND OFF AT WILL. IT IS REALLY FRIGHTENING TO BE TRAVELING D…"~1,000 mi, complaint #732566
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE IN A SITUATION THAT WARRANTS THE AIR BAGS MAY FAI…"~10,000 mi, complaint #736163
    • "ON OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED WITH 45,391 MILES, VIN # [XXX], THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 1 YEAR OLD. IT HAS NOW COME ON APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES.THE DEALER ALWAYS SAYS IT'S THE GAS CAP. WE HAVE TIGHTENED THE GAS CAP VARYING…"~45,391 mi, complaint #819238
    • "HYUNDAI SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 103: IN RELATION TO THE ABOVE RECALL, MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY DUE TO IT BEING MANUFACTURED ON 2 JUNE 2008. MY CLOCK SPRING FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG HAS BECOME INOPERABLE AS INDICATED BY THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION A…"~78,746 mi, complaint #1190489
    • "CLOCK SPRING CONTACT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY HYUNDAI SANTE FE 2008 BUILT ON APRIL 03, 2008. THE NHTSA RECALL DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH AND ENDED MARCH 20,2008. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CONTINUOUSLY LIT UP INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE CLOCK SPRING…"~663,000 mi, complaint #1070930
  3. #3

    instrument cluster

    20 unsafe, 21 annoyance

    41
    incidents
    Typical range: 61,500–110,000 mi

    Median 81,000 mi, based on 47 reports (6% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING EMPTY AND ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1268720
    • "AFTER THE VEHICLE REACHED ABOUT 70,000 MILES, THE GAS GAUGE STARTED TO SHOW ERRATIC LEVELS AND THEN AFTER A MONTH THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF ALSO THEN STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. *TR"~70,000 mi, complaint #1039207
    • "I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2009. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY 2013, THE FUEL GAUGE IS WORKING OFF AND ON. WHEN I FILL MY TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING FOR DAYS. EVERYTIME THE GAUGE IS NOT WORKING THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE TO R…"~84,012 mi, complaint #965284
    • "IN JULY OF 2012 OUR 2008 SANTA FE BEGAN TO SHOW FALSE READINGS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL PRESENT IN THE TANK. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP IN COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA THAT THEY WERE AWARE OR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH GAS GAUGES IN SANTA FES. WAS TOLD THE FIX WOULD BE AROUND $800…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1039215
    • "FUEL GAUGE BEGAN INDICATING WRONG LEVELS OF FUEL IN FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL GAUGE NEED RANDOMLY WILL SWING ANYWHERE BETWEEN FULL TANK AND EMPTY TANK OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MANY TIMES AFTER A COLD START THE FUEL GAUGE WILL INDICATE EMPTY FOR AN E…"~655,000 mi, complaint #1093162
  4. #4

    throttle and pedal

    25 unsafe

    25
    incidents
    Typical range: 20,000–70,000 mi

    Median 52,000 mi, based on 43 reports (7% had no usable mileage)

    • "WAS DRIVING FREEWAY, NOTED SUDDEN DECELERATION (ABOUT 20 MPH AND NOT MORE), CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WERE ON. HAD TO PULL OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF LANE # 1. A POLICE CAR HAD TO STOP TRAFFIC TO SAFELY EXIT THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER A…"~7,400 mi, complaint #827593
    • "2/05/15, TURNED RIGHT ON MANHATTAN BLVD AND NORMAL ACCELERATING, EASED UP ON PEDAL BUT ENGINE STILL FULL THROTTLE. APPLIED BRAKES BUT STILL KEPT ACCELERATING. APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, TURNED INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT, AND TURNED OFF T…"~19,800 mi, complaint #1157938
    • "WAS SECOND VEHICLE AT STOP LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD OVERRIDING BRAKE, AND HIT BACK OF VEHICLE IN FRONT CAUSING DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHER DRIVER. HAD PEDESTRIANS BEEN IN FRONT, COULD EASILY HAVE RUN OVER THEM. MON…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1051456
    • "THROTTLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF AND WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN. COULD NOT GET THE THROTTLE TO DISENGAGE. I TRIED TAPPING THE GAS PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES AND THIS DID NOTHING. MANAGED TO HOLD BOTH FEET ON BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFT INTO LOW. I GOT VEHICLE ONTO SHOULDER AND PUT IT…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1055131
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO…"~97,000 mi, complaint #1002217
  5. #5

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 20 unsafe

    22
    incidents
    Typical range: 72,000–138,000 mi

    Median 113,000 mi, based on 36 reports (8% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 80MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER, THE STEERING FAILED, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE UNTO THE SIDE O…"~541 mi, complaint #792764
    • "2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WILL NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. AFTER PRESSING ON THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES IT STARTS TO MOVE AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME DURING THIS ORDEAL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FIXED THE PROB…"~45,000 mi, complaint #942273
    • "MY WIFE INDICATED THAT WHEN SHE GOT ON THE RAMP TO RT. 80 , THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. SHE ALSO STATED THAT SHE ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT SINCE SHE HAD NO BRAKES NOR POWER STEERING. THIS OCCURRENCE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY BY A NUMBER O…"~107,000 mi, complaint #1207116
    • "I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. NO BRAKES, NO STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO A DRIVEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART . ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER THE SAME THING, ONLY THIS TIME I WAS MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN ACROSS…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1378585
    • "OVER THE LAST YEAR, OUR HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS DEVELOPED A VERY TROUBLING STALLING PROBLEM THAT HAS ONLY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING REGARDLESS OF SPEED, OFTEN SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SAME TRIP REGARDLESS OF DISTANCE TRAVELED. IT S…"~198,000 mi, complaint #1391156
  6. #6

    control module

    8 unsafe, 12 annoyance

    20
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 78,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ ACCURATELY. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE GAS TANK IS FULL, THE GAUGE WILL SHOW ANYWHERE BETWEEN EMPTY AND FULL AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. WHILE THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONS FINE, THE FUEL GAUGE DEFECT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE TO TURN ON AND THEREFOR…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1132580
    • "THE GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR. IT CONSTANTLY FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. IT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ON CONSISTENTLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF HYUNDAI CUSTOMERS ARE DEALING WITH PER WEBSI…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1127337
    • "FUEL SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAUSING GAS GAUGE TO MOVE ERRATICALLY AND TRIGGERING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. SENSOR IS NOT RELIABLE CREATING A RISK OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS."~77,900 mi, complaint #1474595
    • "THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. CAN OCCUR ANYTIME, BUT MOSTLY AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK. VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR MOVING. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST A YEAR."~86,000 mi, complaint #1495193
    • "AT 140,000 MILES, THE FUEL SENSOR FAILS TO SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE INDICATOR MOVES FROM HALF TO EMPTY IN AN INSTANT. AFTER RE-CRANKING AND DRIVING A BIT, THE FUEL NEEDLE WILL THEN SLOWLY RETURN TO SHOWING UNDER HALF A TANK. THE RANGE INDICATOR DO…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1276824
  7. #7

    unintended acceleration

    20 unsafe

    20
    incidents
    Typical range: 37,500–89,000 mi

    Median 64,500 mi, based on 28 reports (10% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I WAS DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO GET READY TO BRAKE FOR MY EXIT. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING AND PULLING THE CAR FORWARD. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THI…"~2,065 mi, complaint #675207
    • "I HAVE A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH 35,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING AT 25 MILES/HR AND IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I TRIED TO BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND IT STOPPED. OVER THE P…"~35,000 mi, complaint #845203
    • "WAS DRIVING ON A [REDACTED ADDRESS] APPROXIMATLY 20 MPH FOLLOWING A BACKHOE. AS BACKHOE MOVED TO BERM AND I WAS CONSIDERING PASSING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I PLACED ALL OF…"~65,342 mi, complaint #882637
    • "THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED AND WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. CAR HAD TO BE THROWN INTO NEUTRAL AND KEY TURNED OFF. ALL FOUR BRAKES WERE BURNT UP. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS THERE A CRASH. THE REPAIR SHOP COUL…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1130155
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE PICKED UP 65 MPH. I WAS PUSHING ON MY BRAKES WHICH DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, AS I WAS APPROACHING MY EXIT I HAD MY FOOT HOLDING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY WHICH THEN SLOWED THE CAR DOWN ENOUGH. I GOT OFF THE EXIT AND WAS M…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1746174
  8. #8

    battery and charging

    2 stranded, 9 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 85,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AFTER ENGINE START AND WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED THE BATTERY LIGHT AND SEATBELT LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY. I SEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT LOOKS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL CHARGING ISSUE, NAMELY THE ALTERNATOR IS BAD. I SEARCHED MORE AND FOUND THE R…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1135385
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT BATTERY FLUID WAS LEAKING. HYUNDAI OF WESLEY CHAPEL ([REDACTED ADDRESS], WESLEY CHAPEL, FL…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1495186
    • "THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOWN POUR, THE LIGHTS WENT DIM. THE TRACTION SYSTEM STARTED DETUNING THE ENGINE. ALL DASH LIGHTS ON. WE FIND THAT IT IS A LEAKY VALUE COVER GASKET. DRIPS ON THE ALTERNATOR AND…"~85,209 mi, complaint #1079936
    • "WHEN DRIVING AND YOU HIT THE BREAKS, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO STALL, OR IF YOU USE THE HIGH OR LOW BREAMS THE RADIO SHUTS OFF AND THE GPS TURNS ON OR YOU LOSES IT ALL, WHILE ON HIGH WAY WAY IF YOU USE YOUR HIGH OR LOW BEAMS THE ENGINE STARTS TO STALL THEN KEEPS…"~134,000 mi, complaint #1262881
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1608122
  9. #9

    brake hydraulics

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 84,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS AWD ON 4/13/2009. ON FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2009 AT APPROX 5:20 PM I WAS DRIVING TO MY SISTERS WHO LIVES 5 MINUTES AWAY WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. I HAD JUST TURNED ONTO THE STREET AND A RED LIGHT WAS 1 BLOCK AWAY. I WAS…"~1,095 mi, complaint #719921
    • "THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. AFTER STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. WITHIN ONE TO TWO PUMPS THE BREAKING RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. *TR"~3,731 mi, complaint #722116
    • "REAR BRAKE LOCK ATLOW ( 21,000) MILES ROTOR GROOVED, EXCESSIVE HEAT POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD, OUT OF CONTROL STEERING HYUNDAI SAYS THE BRAKE SLIDES MUST BE LUBRICATED..HOWEVER, THEIR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE DOES NOT MENTION LUBRICATION OF BRAKE SLIDES AS PART OF…"~22,918 mi, complaint #836808
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 70 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT W…"~76,000 mi, complaint #976576
    • "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 t…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1840441
  10. #10

    other

    3 unsafe, 2 broken, 5 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 36,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR ITS FUEL ECONOMY AND WEIGHT CAPACITY TO TOW A TRAILER. AT THE DEALER, THE WEIGHT CAPACITY WAS LISTED AS 3,197 IN THE REAR AND 2,976 IN THE FRONT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECAL…"~4,000 mi, complaint #684458
    • "2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE OFF CENTER HEAD ON COLLISION RESULTING IN SEVERE LEG TRAUMA. INTEGRITY OF THE FIRE WALL FAILED RESULTING IN METAL PUSHING PAST THE FIREWALL IN TO THE DRIVERS SIDE AREA ENTRAPPING THE LEG ON THE FEMUR. THIS INJURY RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS A…"~36,500 mi, complaint #747593
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORS MATS AND HOLDERS WERE FRACTURING ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE MANUFACTURER W…"~44,313 mi, complaint #850600
    • "KUMHO SOLUS KR-21 TIRES ARE MISSING DATE OF MANUFACTURE ON THE DOT LINE. *TR"~51,541 mi, complaint #743443
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BECAME EXCESSIVELY HOT. THE PASSENGER OBSERVED THAT THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BURN I…"~120,002 mi, complaint #1262779
  11. #11

    engine head gasket

    7 unsafe, 1 broken

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 76,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "9/19/12 VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN ALTERNATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. 10/2/12 NEW BATTERY NEEDED DUE TO BEING WORN DOWN FROM BAD ALTERNATOR. 10/3/14 76,589 MILES VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKED OIL ON THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING I…"~48,600 mi, complaint #1119269
    • "FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET KEEP LEAKING OIL ON TO THE ALTERNATOR CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO GO OUT . THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEN THE CORE OF THE ALTERNATOR BURNED .I HAVE REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR 3 TIMES AND VALVE COVER GASKET TWICE. HYUNDAI HAVE A RECALL ON THE VER…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1202464
    • "I ACTUALLY HAVE 2 ISSUES OCCURRING. ONE OF THESE WAS DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY A PREVIOUS RECALL (CAMPAIGN 105/110 - FIXED /CLOSED JUN 23, 2014). HOWEVER, MY ESC OFF LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ARE AGAIN LIGHTING UP. I HAVE (LUCKILY) NOT YET HAD LOSS OF ENGINE POWE…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1394583
    • "Head on impact rear ending a truck. Engine locked melted head gaskets and destroyed radiator "~136,397 mi, complaint #1852393
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON I-95, THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THEN ENGINE STOPPED COMPLETELY. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE IT TO THE ROAD SIDE. DEALER DIAGNOSED A DEFECTIVE VALVE COVER GASKET ALLOWED OIL TO LEAK WHICH DRIPP…"~169,748 mi, complaint #1099701
  12. #12

    stability and traction control

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 120,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE ON A HIGHWAY RUNNING AT 75 MPH MY "ESC OFF" LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS MY "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME. AS SOON AS THESE LIGHTS TURN ON I CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE AND MY VEHICLE SLOWLY COMES TO A STOP. DURING THIS TIME, EVERYTHING ELSE INCLUDI…"~33,500 mi, complaint #1562179
    • "WHEN I AM DRIVING, BOTH FREEWAY AND CITY DRIVING, THE CAR WILL STUTTER SLIGHTLY AND THEN THE ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I LOSE ACCELERATION AND HAVE TO PULL OVER, TURN MY CAR OFF, WAIT A MINUTE OR TWO, AND THEN…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1291227
    • "ESC LIGHT ILLUMINATES. CAR LOOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLS."~135,542 mi, complaint #1312987
    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY ESC OFF LIGHT CAME ON. AS SOON AS IT CAME ON MY BRAKES GOT TOUCHY, MY ENTIRE CAR STARTED SHAKING LIKE CRAZY, & MY CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 20-25 MILES. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES REALLY HARD BC I WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS GOING TO HIT ANOT…"~142,302 mi, complaint #1691504
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN WARMED UP FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES, THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TH…"~160,000 mi, complaint #1464060
  13. #13

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHEN TRYING TO PARK THE CAR, THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IS IN PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN PARK. THEREFORE, YOU CANNOT TURN YOUR CAR COMPLETELY OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 6 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 3 YEARS F…"~6,820 mi, complaint #907665
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE. ALSO, WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM FIRST TO SECOND OR FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR I…"~41,432 mi, complaint #1362950
    • "THE VEHICLE SO FAR HAS HAD TWO INSTANCES OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION, NOT JUST SUDDEN BUT WHILE DRIVING AND PERFORMING A PASSING MANEUVER OR NEED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK ON A GEAR, PRESSING THE BRAKE OR SHIFTING TO MANUAL MODE,…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1237829
    • "THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. VERY HARD TO SHIFT AND WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT INTO "DRIVE", THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE. UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD. IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE, BUT NOT DRIVE. SHIFTER BECOMES HARDER TO MOVE AFTER ATTEMPTING TO MOVE…"~162,000 mi, complaint #1455483
    • "THIS VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SPEED SENSITIVE "WHIRRING" SOUND WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A TIRE NOISE, BUT DID NOT GO AWAY WHEN NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WAS THE DRIVE BELT RUBBING AGAINST THE COVE…"~200,157 mi, complaint #1185760
  14. #14

    corrosion and rust

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTING SEVERELY. LAST INSPECTION WAS MARGINAL. INSPECTOR SAID IT PROBABLY WON'T PASS INSPECTION AT THE NEXT INTERVAL TIME. *TR"~80,000 mi, complaint #1662293
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of underneath the vehicle, he observed excessive corrosion on the subframe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed the excessive corrosion of the subframe.…"~205,000 mi, complaint #1971072
  15. #15

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAI…"~20,000 mi, complaint #908982
    • "IN NOVEMBER 2010, VEHICLE AT EST. 29,000 MI. CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION. WAS ABLE TO PULL OF ON SIDE OF SHOULDER ON HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION DESPITE BEING TURNED OFF, ETC. THROTTLE SENSOR CHANGED. MARCH 2011, VEHICLE AT EST. 31,000 MI. SAME…"~22,000 mi, complaint #845685
    • "DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ACCELERATION/DECELERATION. THEN WHILE MOVING THE CAR LOST ENGINE PWR.ACCELERATION WAS REDUCED TO ABOUT 5MPH HAD TO STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THEN ON TO REGAIN FULL PWR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAIND ON. "~28,881 mi, complaint #834624
    • "THERE HAVE BEEN 3 INSTANCES WHERE AFTER TURNING ON MY VEHICLE, THE POWER IS THROTTLED AND I CAN ONLY DRIVE A COUPLE MILES PER HOUR. I RAN A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN, AND OBTAINED THE CODES P2106, P1295,AND P2135. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1402923
    • "WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATION STOPS. HAVE TO TRY TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART. THEN ITS FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN 4 DAYS. NO RECALL BUT MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. ON A SIDE STREET, AT AN INTERSECTION,…"~212,000 mi, complaint #1562667
  16. #16

    engine oil consumption

    4 unsafe, 1 broken

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "LEAKING OIL FROM FRONT VALVE COVER AND CAUSING ALTERNATOR TO FAIL, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER SANTA FE AND VARACRUZ. *TR"~75,000 mi, complaint #1136203
  17. #17

    fuel pump

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THE FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AT AROUND 67K MILES STARTED READING EMPTY AND THEN IT STARTED READING NORMAL AND THEN EMPTY. FINALLY IT HAS ONLY READ EMPTY FOR THE PAST COUPLE THOUSAND MILES. I WAS HOPING THAT IT WOULD FIX ITSELF WHICH IT NEVER DI…"~67,000 mi, complaint #1036411
    • "FUEL GAUGE HAS BECOME ERRATIC AND CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. INFORMED ENTIRE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS SENSOR IS A PART OF PUMP ASSEMBLY, TOTAL COST $950. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN CAR. RECALL SHOULD BE I…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1065797
    • "THIS VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING ISSUES WITH KEY FOB NOT WORKING - GAS GAUGE NOT ACCURATE NEXT CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ON ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POINTING TO BAD FUEL PUMP SENSOR UNITS - I'VE RESEARCHED THIS AND THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE - MY CAR HAS ONLY 70 K MILES ON IT…"~70,355 mi, complaint #1595918
  18. #18

    wiring harness

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I WAS DRIVING APPROX 30 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROADWAY WHEN ALL ELECTRICAL SEIZED. POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ECT....I HAD TO PULL OVER AND HAD MY 17 MONTH OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. I HAD TO PUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. IF THIS…"~45,000 mi, complaint #1079917
    • "AT 59,000 MILES LEFT SIDE RUNNING LIGHTS INOP. SENT TO DEALER THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE WIRING HARNESS. THIS STATED AT 50,000 MILES. WORKED GOOD FOR 3 WEEKS TOOK ON A TRIP PUT 10,000 MILES ON IT. NOW AT 70,000.. ELECTRICAL ISSUES STARTED BACK UP.NO TAILLIG…"~59,000 mi, complaint #913550
    • "CAR PARKED IN PARKING LOT AT MY OFFICE. NO ONE IN VECHILE. PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES...APPPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL BOX AT REAR OF CAR FOR HITCH. *TR"~116,000 mi, complaint #1051845
    • "AFTER TURNING RIGHT TO ENTER AN ON-RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY, THE TURN SIGNAL (NOW IN NEUTRAL POSITION) STARTING MAKING THE FAST CLICKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE TURN SIGNAL STICK AND YOU COULD SMELL (WHAT APPEARED TO BE) ELECTRICAL BUR…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1376245
  19. #19

    engine internal

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "THE GAS MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS 14 MPG CITY DRIVING; TOTAL HIGHWAY DRIVING IS 18MPG AND COMBINED 15- 16 MPG. I AM A VERY CONSERVATIVE DRIVER AND HAVE DRIVEN FOR 47 YEARS. MY MILEAGE IS SO POOR I CONTACTED THE HYUNDAI CORP. REPEATEDLY ON THIS. I'VE SPOKEN ON…"~1,000 mi, complaint #877599
    • "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. The contact stated t…"~87,000 mi, complaint #2084149
    • "WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC THE ENGINE STARTING MAKING A STRANGE NOISE. IT CONTINUED TO RUN AND THE NOISE DECREASED, AND SOMETIMES EVEN QUIT. THE NEXT DAY THE NOISE WAS BACK AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL THE ENGINE DIED AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO COA…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1358954
    • "AFTER 141,000 MILES THE ENGINE THREW A ROD, I HAD HEARD A CLICKING NOISE FOR A WHILE BUT WAS ASSURED IT WAS A NORMAL ENGINE SOUND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. I CHANGE MY OIL REGULARLY AND HAVE MY SLIPS, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING. IN THE…"~141,000 mi, complaint #1284174
  20. #20

    brake pads and rotors

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE STARTED SQUEALING. I PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THE BRAKE WAS SCORCHING HOT. IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AFTER THAT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID BRING IT IN. IT WAS FROZEN PADS IN CALIPER SLIDES. I WAS ALSO TOLD I SHOULD HAVE THE…"~11,500 mi, complaint #731750
  21. #21

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVING ~10-15 MPH IN PUBLIC PARK, 2 KIDS IN CARSEATS IN BACK SEAT. WEATHER WAS RAINY. I HAD JUST TURNED ON THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER FOR DEFOG ABOUT 4-5 MINUTES PRIOR. SUDDEN LOUD "BOOM" AND REAR/BACK WINDOW EXPLODED, SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS INTO PASSENGER…"~7,580 mi, complaint #723049
    • "MY 2008 SANTA FE LTD THAT SUFFERED A LOSS OF THE LEFT REAR QUARTER GLASS, INCLUDING THE FRAME MOLDING, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY A FEW DAYS AGO. THE GLASS COMPANY STATED THAT IT APPEARED TO HAVE ACTUALLY BREAK OFF OF THE BOLTS AND SIMPLY FLY OFF THE VEHICLE…"~50,000 mi, complaint #973587
  22. #22

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH [REDACTED PLATE] CONNECTS INTO THE LOCK MECHANISM WOULD TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR CAUSING DIFFICULTY TO ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…"~29,000 mi, complaint #872667
  23. #23

    steering rack mechanical

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1089576
    • "LOST POWER STEERING, WITHOUT WARNING. LUCKILY I WAS GOING SLOW CROSSING AN INTERSECTION, AND STOPING. AFTER THAT IT WAS A LOSING TUG OF WAR WITH THE STEERING. MECHANIC FOUND RACK LINES RUSTED AND LEAKING. IF I WAS TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED, I MAY HAVE LOST C…"~96,490 mi, complaint #1211738
  24. #24

    sunroof

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT NIGHT AND THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY FLEW OFF THE TOP OF CAR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL SINCE IT HAPPENS AND HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI CORP AND FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM ON FEB TUES 27TH BUT HAVE NOT RESOLVED WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1451321
    • "DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE FROM ITS SOCKET WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VISOR HUNG BY THE WIRE FOR THE LIGHT. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I WAS ABLE TO JURY RIG IT BACK - VERY SIMPLE AND EAS…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1334961
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE APPROX 60MPH ON HWY 277 WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF."~88,000 mi, complaint #1274346
  25. #25

    suspension arms and bushings

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "The contact owns a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while reversing out of his driveway at 1 MPH, the front end on the passenger’s side of the vehicle collapsed almost causing the wheel to detach. The contact stated there was no warning light ill…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1780676
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND WHEEL BEARING SEIZED AND WERE UNUSUALLY WORN. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE TIRES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…"~122,644 mi, complaint #1292271
  26. #26

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS BACKING UP TO TURN AROUND AND AS I WAS TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL I HEARD AND FELT VERY LOUD PULSING THUMPS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I GOT OUT AND SAW MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS LEANING OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ARM BROKE OF FROM MY WH…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1706817
  27. #27

    evap system

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING OUR 2008 HYUNDAI SANTE FE LIMITED WE BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM WHICH STILL EXIST TO THIS DAY. AFTER FILLING WITH GAS, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY LIT. THE FIRST SEVERAL TIMES OF THIS EVENT, I WAS TRULY CONCERNED THAT…"~1,500 mi, complaint #743369
  28. #28

    interior trim

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE INTERIOR DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN IT."~165,000 mi, complaint #1598110
  29. #29

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS, [REDACTED PLATE] AND TAILLIGHTS ALL FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE BULBS WERE REPLACED BUT THE F…"~8,640 mi, complaint #853438
  30. #30

    paint and clearcoat

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "PEELING PAINT ON ROOF GAS TANK DOESN'T REGISTER IF TANK IS EMPTY OR FULL."~49,000 mi, complaint #1409550
    • "TAKATA RECALL MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS PAINT THAT CHIPPED AWAY ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE, RIGHT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. THE PAINT STILL CONTINUES TO REMOVE ITSELF FROM THE BODY IN CHUNKS. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO. AND I DO NOT EXPECT PAINT TO REMOVE ITSE…"~123,000 mi, complaint #1433523
  31. #31

    power steering hydraulic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I EXITED A TOLL AND PROCEEDED TO ENTER THE NJ TURNPIKE, SUDDENLY, THE STEERING BECAME TIGHT. I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT, ALONG WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE JUST TURNED OFF. THANKFULLY, NO TRAFFIC, I PROCEED TO PULL TO THE FEEDER OF THE ENTRANCE.…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1222798
    • "I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN GOING UP A VERY STEEP GRADE. I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK SO THAT I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF. I HAD TO LAY ON THE BRAKE WITH ALL MY WEIGHT TO KEEP FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS INTO CARS BEHIND ME. T…"~101,356 mi, complaint #1219131
  32. #32

    suspension struts shocks

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED HAS A VIBRATION BETWEEN 40 - 60 MPH AND HYUNDAI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. THEY HAVE ELIMINATED THE TIRES AS BEING INVOLVED WITH THE PROBLEM. TIRES AND WHEELS HAVE BEEN REBA…"~1,400 mi, complaint #667634
  33. #33

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "be guessed ABS malfunction, on 11/03/[REDACTED ADDRESS] in bumper-to-bumper situation.speed around 40 Mph. the car front Suddenly hit braking hard, I had followed immediately hitting the braking hard but at some point became lost brake and collied at the car…"complaint #1873278
  34. #34

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FAN KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF. DEALER SAID THERE IS A "SHORT IN THE A/C CONTROL HEAD". *TR"~79,974 mi, complaint #959869
  35. #35

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND, DUE TO THE CONTACT ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN. TH…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1329786
  36. #36

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE IS STATIONARY...I PURCHASED THIS USED VEHICLE A FEW YEARS AGO AND HAVE RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS .KEY WILL NOT TURN WHILE IN PARK REQUIRING THE NEED TO PUSH IN SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON , MOVING TO NEU…"~790,000 mi, complaint #1464818
  37. #37

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • " WHILE DRIVING MY [REDACTED ADDRESS] ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS LAST WEEK MY SANTA FE DECELERATED UNEXPECTED TO ~ 20 MPH. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AND STARTED TO LOSE POWER, THE SECOND TIME I WAS ALSO USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE SAME P…"~25,400 mi, complaint #765336
  38. #38

    differential

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CAUGHT ON FIRE. I HEARD A CLUNK ON ENTERING REVERSE IN THE MORNING. AFTER 35 MILES OTHER DRIVERS ALERTED ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. AFTER PULLING OFF THE ROAD US 90 IN NEWTON MA THE FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AFTER THE FIRE WENT OUT ON IT'S…"~58,797 mi, complaint #892005
  39. #39

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE READING CAME BACK AS A BAD FUEL SENSOR. SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YET HYUNDAI IS NOT WILLING TO RECALL. DESPITE TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE I DID ONCE RUN OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WA…"complaint #1100399
  40. #40

    horn

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "SAFETY DEFECT WITH HORN ACTIVATION IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. EXCESSIVE PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL HORN PAD IS NEED TO ACTIVATE THE HORN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN A POTENTIAL COLLISION /CLOSE CALL SITUATION OCCURRED. THE CENTRAL AREA OF THE ST…"~8,000 mi, complaint #725058
  41. #41

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE RADIO. SHE CALLED THE DEALER ON MARCH 4, 2008 AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. ONCE AT THE DEALER, THEY INSPECTED THE RADIO AND INFORMED…"complaint #675368
  42. #42

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WRIGHT HYUNDAI ([REDACTED ADDRESS], WEXFORD, PA 15090) BECAUSE HE HEARD SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN T…"~135,000 mi, complaint #1618723
  43. #43

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE FIRST TIME I CAME OUT TO START MY CAR AND LOOKED UP, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS THE STARTER. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED AND APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER, I NOTICED A BRUSHING SOUND WH…"complaint #1150993
  44. #44

    tire failure

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE DUELER A/T 693 TIRES, SIZE LT225/75R16. WITHIN ONE MONTH OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING…"~1,500 mi, complaint #684556
  45. #45

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASED A 2008 -AWD -HYUNDAI SANTA FE IN APRIL 2008... THE PROBLEM IS WITH MY "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) "... SINCE THE VERY FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP THE "TPMS" MALFUNCTION LIGHT GOES ON.. INFACT THE FIRST DAY THE DEALERSHIP RE-SET THE '"TPMS"…"complaint #670533
  46. #46

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "HYUNDAI'S SLAVE CYLINDER IS A FAULTY PART KNOWN ABOUT ONLINE AND IN MECHANIC SHOPS. IT HAS FAILED TWICE IN 65,000 MILES AND CAUSED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE. IT RECENTLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO TURN AND SHIFTED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE CLUTCH WAS…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1382208
  47. #47

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "ON FEBRUARY 14, 2009 I INCURRED A SCALP LACERATION THAT REQUIRED 6 STAPLE SUTURES WHEN I HIT MY HEAD WITH THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR OF MY 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SUV. I LATER LEARNED FROM OTHER MOTORISTS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM IN THEIR SUV'S. I WOULD SUGGE…"complaint #709885
  48. #48

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ROUGHLY AT 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER ROTATED TH…"complaint #719024

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for HYUNDAI SANTA FE directly.