The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,205,630 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 718 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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. …
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…
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.
AIR BAGS12V3540002012-07-25199,118 affected
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.
AIR BAGS11V4720002011-09-09205,233 affected
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…
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.
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.
EQUIPMENT08V2720002008-06-1988,943 affected
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…
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.
Complaints by component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
215
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
70
4fires1injuries
ENGINE
60
2crashes1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
57
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
50
7crashes3injuries
AIR BAGS
49
4crashes4injuries
POWER TRAIN
22
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
19
1crashes2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
19
2crashes1fires
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
16
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints718
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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”
“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”
“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”
“I took the car to get this recall done: hyundai has decided to conduct a service campaign to inspect (and if necessary replace) the alternator and replace the front valve cover gasket on certain 2007-2009 model year santa fe vehicles. The recall was done, replacing the gasket and alternator. 2…”
“I took the car to get this recall done: hyundai has decided to conduct a service campaign to inspect (and if necessary replace) the alternator and replace the front valve cover gasket on certain 2007-2009 model year santa fe vehicles. The recall was done, replacing the gasket and alternator. 2…”
“Seem like it burns oil quick”
“Seem like it burns oil quick”
“Seem like it burns oil quick”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP21003 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.…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.